Today’s Reading: Numbers 22; Psalm 128
Now King Balak of Moab saw everything that happened and watched the Israelites camp across the river from Jericho. He sent for Balaam, a Midianite prophet, offering him money to curse the people of Israel. Unlike King Sihon, Balaam understood the power of the Israelites’ God because he was a descendant of Abraham through his wife Keturah. Balaam invited the elders of Moab (descendants of Lot) and Midian to spend the night while he called on the Lord for direction.
DO NOT GO. DO NOT CURSE THESE PEOPLE I HAVE BLESSED.
The next morning he sent the elders back to King Balak with the message that he could not come because the Lord would not let him. But Balak was not ready to give up. This time he sent a group of more distinguished officials to Balaam with a generous financial offer if he would just come and curse the Israelites.
But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. But stay here one more night, and I will see if the Lord has anything else to say to me.” – Numbers 22:18-19
YOU MAY GO BUT DO ONLY WHAT I TELL YOU TO DO.
The next morning, Balaam started out but the Lord sent an angel to block the way. Although Balaam could not see anything in the road, the donkey could see the angel of the Lord standing with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted so Balaam beat it and turned it back to the road. As they moved towards the place in the road that narrowed between two vineyard walls, the angel of the Lord again blocked the way. When the donkey tried to squeeze by the angel, it crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. Again, Balaam beat the donkey. Farther down the road the donkey saw the angel again and laid down, causing Balaam to beat the animal a third time.
Balaam was so focused on his own plan, what he thought he should do, that he was both blind and deaf to God’s attempts to block his plan. So the Lord gave the donkey the ability to ask Balaam what he had done to deserve being beaten three times. Balaam was mad that the donkey had made him look like a fool.
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.
“Why have you beaten your donkey these three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”
Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.” – Numbers 22:31-34
YOU MAY GO BUT SAY ONLY WHAT I TELL YOU TO SAY.
Once God had his attention, Balaam’s response was one of repentance and obedience. Now Balaam’s heart was ready for the journey ahead. He set out to do only what God told him to do and to say only what God told him to say.
We live in a world of smartphones, smart tvs and smart cars. If we need an answer to a question, we ask Siri. If we need directions, we go to Google Maps. If we want to hear a song, we ask Alexa. Our exercise bike has become a Peloton with online trainers, and we do more talking on social media than we do face to face. But has our culture become so “smart” that we have stopped following God’s word and stopped hearing His voice?
So I ask myself this question again today — Do I trust in my own leadership or in the God who led me to this moment? Am I focused on my own plan or listening for God’s plan? Am I pushing after what I want instead of listening for God’s instruction? I want to respond as Balaam did. I want to be the one who has a heart of repentance and is willing to go with God’s plan the moment I realize that I am doing my own thing or that I have taken my eyes off the Lord. I want to be smarter than my mode of transportation.
I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. — Psalm 119:26–27
Thank you for the reminder, Lord, to live in faith and not fear. Please show me if at any moment today I am trusting more in myself than in You. Quiet the distractions and circumstances in my life so that I can better listen for your clear instructions and your plan. My desire is for your way and not mine. I love you, Lord. Amen.
How joyful are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways! – Psalm 128:1