Creator, Father, King #95

Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.

THE BIBLE IS A profound book. It’s God’s marvelous revelation of his eternal plan of redemption for mankind.

Sometimes, though, certain Bible stories are just downright funny! Take, for instance, the story of Balaam and his talking donkey. Now, before you start connecting this with the movie Shrek, an explanation is needed.

In Numbers 22, Israel had just entered Moab after two significant military victories. Terrified, the Moabite king, Balak, tried to hire Balaam, a well-known soothsayer, to curse Israel. But God intervened and commanded Balaam to bless Israel.

Balaam feigned obedience, but his heart was filled with idolatry and wickedness. So as Balaam traveled with Balak’s messengers, God sent a mighty angel to block his way. The angel was invisible to Balaam but, remarkably, not to his donkey! Three times the donkey changed course to avoid the heavenly warrior, and three times Balaam beat the animal.

Then, God miraculously opened the donkey’s mouth!

“What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” [the donkey] asked Balaam.

“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”

“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.

Then God opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel blocking his path. The angel rebuked Balaam, telling him that if the donkey hadn’t stopped, the angel would have killed Balaam for “stubbornly resisting” God (verse 32).

What’s It Mean?

As humorous as this story is, there’s a serious message, too. While Balaam obeyed God and pronounced three blessings on Israel (much to Balak’s chagrin), his heart wasn’t fully devoted to the Lord. In Numbers 31, we learn that because of Balaam, Israel committed terrible idolatry, which led to Balaam’s ultimate demise.

What about your heart? Like Balaam, do you only pay lip service to God? Do you say the right things in the right situations to look godly while your heart runs after other things? Or are you fully devoted to the Lord?

God wants people who love him wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:5). Don’t be like Balaam, who was more mulish toward God than a donkey! Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Now What?

Read about Balaam in Numbers 22–24, his treachery against Israel in chapter 25, and his death in 31:8.

Did You Know?

“The angel of the LORD” (Numbers 22:22) who confronted Balaam and his donkey might have been a “theophany”—a physical manifestation of God himself.