Numbers 22:22-41
Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”
30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?”
And he said, “No.”
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”
35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”
38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. 40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
Balaam’s First Prophecy
41 So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.
We see the unseen correction by God for Balaam’s errors and His protection from cert destruction on the way to Balak against God’s word. The Angel of the LORD came to face the errant prophet on a narrow path with his sword drawn to execute the wrath of God on the man ready to curse Israel for profit after having been warned not to already. The unseen angel was seen by the donkey the man rode, the same faithful animal who tried to stop the judgment and death on his master. When the man began to beat the poor donkey to urge him on, the LORD gave it speech to answer the man for his abuse of his faithfulness. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes to see the Angel with drawn sword waiting to enact God’s wrath on his perverse disobedience and distemper against the faithful steed who saw it all and attempted to save his master and several times. Only then when the man’s eyes were opened to the hidden realm and saw this sight did he repent of the sin to journey there against God’s word and will. He was told not to turn back but speak only as God commanded him with the king when he arrived on the battlefield. He told Balak, “Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” The next day he was brought to a high place of pagan worship to see the numerous people there. The tale continues next time. Do we also read or hear God’s word and act in opposition to what we know we are to do? Thankfully, we have the Spirit of God within us to remind us of His word and will even when we are unable to see the chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17) surrounding us for protection or the angels seen and exposed (Ephesians 6:12) ruling in heavenly places as by talking donkeys here. God leads us (Isaiah 30:21) and keeps us for His glory by His Spirit according to His word for us to follow. May we not then kick against the goads as we ride onward in life by heeding His correction and protection.
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