“So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, 23 Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. 27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. 28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam. 29 “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” 30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted. 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.” Numbers 22:21-31
Father God,
It is like stepping into history reading this and for some reason I have no problem imagining a speaking donkey. Balaam was the dumb one so to speak. He was so busy on his way because he wanted to go he had stopped listening. The donkey also kept him from harm. It had more sense than to confront an angel.
Sometimes we do not have the sense we should. It is at these times we are grateful that You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 145:8). That You find ways to get our attention or You bring to nothing the things that we have tried to do alone.
You still used Balaam in the end. He pronounced blessings three times over Israel when he reached King Balak’s outpost. He was in danger as Balak went into a rage and he still went on blessing (Numbers 24:10). And then we read he went home safely. Phew.
We look to You Jesus for help when we overstep the mark. For confidence when we need to speak up bravely with the truth and it may not be liked. And for reassurance You will keep us safe from our enemies. And for us to find in You all we need for today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 12th March 2025
I know the Lord will make a way for me,
I know the Lord will make a way for me,
If I walk in heavens light shun the wrong and do the right,
I know the Lord will make a way for me,
The Lord has said, “Go tell the Word to all”,
The Lord has said, “Go tell the Word to all”,
If I walk in heavens light shun the wrong and do the right,
I know the Lord will make a way for me,
Won’t it be grand to hear Him say, “Well done!”
Won’t it be grand to hear Him say, “Well done!”
If I walk in heavens light shun the wrong and do the right,
I know the Lord will make a way for me,
Lyrics: Copyright 1942 Nazarene Publishing House.