Numbers 22

 

 

Balaam, Worse Than His Donkey, and the Angel (Numbers 22:21-35)

Verse 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.” 

 

Moab is descended from Abraham's nephew, Lot. God had told Israel not to bother their relatives living around Canaan.

However, King Balak of Moab and the people of Moab were greatly afraid because they had heard and seen all that Israel had done

from their exodus to their actions against the Amorites. At this time, it would have been natural for Moab to send envoys to their relatives,

Israel, to inquire about their well-being, ask if there was anything they could help with, and seek peaceful relations.

However, King Balak of Moab invited the elders of Midian, who were widely experienced through nomadic life and trade,

and asked for their advice (verse 4). The Midianite elders recommended sorcery and introduced Balaam, a diviner with an international reputation.

 

1. Balak Sent Envoys to Balaam, Who Lived Far Away.

1) Balaam was a famous diviner, known in many nations.

2) He was one who also invoked the name of the LORD, and would have known Israel well.

3) Balaam, receiving the visit from the envoys, asked the LORD.

4) God showed Balaam and Moab a way to live (verse 12).

 

2. God's Answer to Balaam Was Simple and Clear.

1) Balaam should have delivered the answer from verse 12 and guided them on the right path.

2) Balaam did not give the envoys the answer but simply sent them away.

3) King Balak of Moab sent more high-ranking officials and offered a blank check.

4) That night, Balaam must have tried to persuade God.

 

3. Blinded by the Offered Conditions, Balaam Followed.

1) People like Balaam are those who try to serve both money and God.

2) The reason Balaam followed the envoys was because of greed.

3) The quarrel between the donkey and Balaam.

4) Afterward, He also opened Balaam's eyes and gave him the Word again through the angel.

 

Conclusion: Balaam, Worse Than His Donkey, and the Watching Angel

1) God's angel tells Balaam, 'The donkey's actions saved you.'

2) Under the watchful eye of the angel with a drawn sword, Balaam entered the land of Moab.

3) If we too fall into greed, we fail to hear what we should hear and only listen to what pleases ourselves.

4) Even those who claim to believe become carnal when they fall into greed.

 

I hope that instead of filling our hearts with greed, we can fill them fully with God's Word, centered on the 3 todays. If we cannot do that,

then naturally our hearts will be filled with our own desires and opinions. The greatest weakness of humanity that the devil and evil spirits

target is always greed. How many people are there who, blinded by greed, ruin themselves and bring suffering to their families

and those around them? True prayer of faith is not persuading God for one's own will, but holding onto the given Word, looking to God,

and obeying. However, if one's own desires precede the Word, one becomes spiritually blind. Balaam's heart was full of the desire to receive

what the king of Moab would give him. Therefore, he could not see what even the donkey had seen. But because he knew that the angel

with the drawn sword was near, he had no choice but to obey the Word of the LORD. We who believe have entered not Balaam's foolish path,

but the path of holding onto the 3 todays and being served by helping angels. May you be victorious in the name of the Lord.