Twitter
RSS
Facebook
ClickBank1

1/3/12 OUTSMARTED BY A DONKEY

1/3/12 OUTSMARTED BY A DONKEY
Numbers 22:21-41
Tuesday, January 3, 2011    Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
Key Verse: 22:38

“Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”

Dear Lord Jesus….thank you for revealing yourself as the Holy God to us. In this world we are inundated with unholiness. We are barraged by images and philosophies that are unholy. These cause our hearts to ache and be burdened by the temptations. This is because we are just beings who long to share in the holiness of God. I thank you for making me holy though the blood of Jesus. On my own I am not holy, but with Jesus I can and I can have power to live a holy life. Lord, I pray for my kids to live a holy life. I pray for them to want to honor Jesus instead of trying to live a pleasure seeking life with their friends. My they seek Jesus. May they love God with all their hearts and glorify Jesus in all they do. I pray that we may preach the word of God this weekend at the Jenn K’s church. May we bring great joy to the people there and joy to your heart. Please grant me one word of God today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

1. Balaam’s spiritual blindness (21-35).

Verses 21-35, “ 21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” 29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. 32 The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.[a] 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” 34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” 35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.”

Balaam went with Balak’s men out of greed. He knew that God did not want him to go, though God had given him permission. The Lord was angry and sent an angel to oppose Balaam. The angel stood in Balaam’s way three times, but Balaam did not see the angel. He was blinded by his greedy desire. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel and turned aside. Finally, God opened the donkey’s mouth and then Balaam’s eyes. The angel warned Balaam about his reckless path. If it wasn’t for the donkey, the angel would have killed Balaam. We need at least as much spiritual sense as Balaam’s donkey.

I thank God that he tries his best to help us to stop us from our destructive course of action. We like to insist on our own ways, that see right to us. But the Lord knows the right path. God knows the correct way. This may not seem to make sense to us, but it is the best way. We need to open our blind eyes and follow God’s way. The blind way that I may be following is trying to control my older kids instead of trusting God and trusting them. Dr John A told me that I have already instructed them and now the only thing I can control are my reactions. I need to react with the spirit of God and with the word of God. I also need to find God’s best way in regards to ministry and my mission in Christ and follow it.

2. God’s greater plan (36-41).

Verses 36-41 read, “When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?” 38 “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.” 39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.”

Balaam sounded penitent, but he did not truly repent. He still had a strong desire for an earthly reward. God allowed Balaam to continue, but the prophet would only be able to speak what God put into his mouth. Balaam was evil, but God would use this evil man to reveal his blessing and purpose for the Israelites and his judgment for the Moabites. God’s plan was much greater than Balaam’s greed.

It is so easy to sound pious and holy, as if we only want to do the will of God. But actually our inner motives are false and self centered. I pray that my motives may be pure and holy and pleasing to the Lord. I pray that I may have the right motive in getting involved in other churches, like DCC and Jenn K’s church. It may not be because I want to receive human recognition and acceptance and some glory. It may be because I sincerely want to please God and serve God’s holy purpose in my life and expand the territory of his kingdom. I pray that my kids and Julie all members of our fellowship may have pure and holy purposes in their service to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, help me to strongly desire things that are pleasing to you.

One Word: Be smarter than a donkey




Interact with us using Facebook

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.