A Talking Donkey

O. T. # 348  "A Talking Donkey"
August 21, 2014
Numbers 22-Part 2
And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?  Numbers 22:28

LET IT GLOW

Are you old enough to remember the talking horse, Mr. Ed? We have been watching some reruns of that show seen in my childhood. That horse could get his owner into some predicaments, yet they continue to carry on conversations.
Today's story continues with Balaam, who encounters his donkey talking to him with some good advice. It can be a funny story, yet sadly enough, we are like Balaam at times, rebellious.

Here we are, in the middle of a mess. We read about Balak, king of Moab, allied with the Midianites, desiring to annihilate the Israelites. Realizing that physical force would not defeat the Jews, he resorted to spiritual deception by trying to hire Balaam, a pagan prophet, to curse Israel. Twice Balak sent messengers to Balaam with a bribe for his purpose to be achieved.

Deep in his heart, Balaam wanted to go with the messengers because he was greedy of gain. This is "the way of Balaam" (2 Peter 2:15-16), using religion as a means of getting wealth. God permitted Balaam to go with the princes, but He did so only to test him (verses 20-22). (Wiersbe)

So that is where we pick up the story, God permits Balaam to meet with Balak, with the stipulation that Balaam only says what God wanted him to say.
Here comes the most unique method of God, an amazing and amusing story:

• Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. (verse 21) (Remember, he is on his way to meet with the king who wants Balaam to curse Israel.)
• God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. (verse 22)
• Balaam had his two servants with him. (verse 22)
• When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD (Jesus) standing in the road with a drawn sword in His hand, she turned off the road into a field. (verse 23)
• Balaam beat the donkey to get her back on the road. (verse 23)

Why didn't Balaam stop to consider what was happening? He didn't see the angel of the LORD with a sword standing in the road. Stick with me in the detail, friends. The story gets more interesting. It's too good to skim over with a summary.

• Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. (verse 25)
• When the donkey saw Him, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it.
• Balaam beat the donkey a second time. (verse 25)
• Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, neither to the right nor to the left. (verse 26)
• When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD (Jesus), she lay down under Balaam.
• Balaam beat the donkey a third time with his stick. (verse 27)
• The LORD opened the donkey's mouth and asked Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" (verse 28)
• Furious Balaam talked to his frightened animal saying, "You have mocked me (made a fool of me). If I had a sword, I'd kill you right now." (verse 29)
• Again this terrified donkey spoke to his master, "Am I not your donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" (verse 30)
• "No. " Balaam answered, still carrying on a conversation with his donkey. (verse 30)
• Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD (Jesus) standing in the road with His sword drawn.
• So Balaam bowed low and fell facedown. (verse 31)

We are going to stop there, concluding next time. What lessons we have to learn from this unusual story recorded for us in God's Word. I believe it actually happened as it says.

LET IT GROW

Can we learn from others' mistakes, even their sinful ways? How can we apply this to our life?
Here is what I concluded:

• The Angel of the Lord was a manifestation of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He was equated with deity (Gen. 16:7, 18:1-2; Ex. 3:1-6). (MacArthur)
• The angel of the LORD is, in fact, a preincarnate appearance of Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. The New Testament indicates that no man has ever seen God the Father (1 Timothy 6:16). (Falwell)
• If we know God's will for our life, we should follow it and do God's will His way, not our way.
• God knew Balaam's motive was not right; he was not yet submissive to what God required. (MacArthur)
• God permits us to go our own way in order to learn a lesson that we won't forget.
• God sees us when we are on the wrong road, on the wrong path, and in a narrow place by our own choosing.
• Sometimes God has to pen us in, get us between a rock and a hard spot, crush our strong will, break our heart, before we fall down before God and repent of our sins.
• What does it take for God's rebellious child to turn to God in repentance? Does a donkey have to speak to us, to get us to listen to God, to get our attention?
• The Lord allowed Balaam to see things as they really are. Not all things are as they appear. Do our spiritual eyes need to be opened in order to see the obvious will of God for us? Especially when we are on the wrong road, path, way?

LET IT GO

Stop going my own way and get on the King's road for my life.

Obey His will and directions. When God says no, accept it.

Repent of my sins before I get between that rock and hard spot.

Pray for Christians out of God's will.

Ask for God's mercy.

Remember, nothing is beyond God's capabilities. After all, He can make a donkey talk.

Keep the faith.

Don't go the way of Balaam.