Papa B
Sometimes we are Balaam’s Donkey
If you’re not familiar with the story of Balaam and his donkey I’d encourage you to take a moment to read Numbers 22. Despite popular belief, Numbers is one of the coolest books in the bible. Briefly the story goes like this:
The people of Israel were about to attack the Moabites and the king of Moab wasn’t so keen on that happening because the Israelites seemed to be on a pretty good winning streak. So the king of Moab calls upon Balaam to call down curses on the people of Israel. The problem was that God was on Israel’s side so no amount of fussing, moaning, cursing or otherwise was going to help the Moabites and God told Balaam as much. As the story unfolds we have Balaam heading out on his donkey to meet with the king of Moab.
Num 22:23-27 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. (24) Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. (25) And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. (26) Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. (27) When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
Next two things that happen make me scratch my head in wonder. The donkey speaks to Balaam and Balaam doesn’t find that weird. Now I don’t want to get too bogged down in the story so I’ll stop there. I do, however, want to make some observations about the donkey.
- The donkey was not the main character in the story
- The donkey was beaten for doing its job
- The donkey was there to save Balaam’s life
This thought came from a conversation I had with a guy last Sunday night. He was telling me how he had fallen on hard times but things were getting better. He had been there before but he guessed he just didn’t learn the first time and that God was teaching him a lesson again. That seems to be our natural reaction when troubles come our way. “There must be something God’s trying to teach me,” but what if we are just Balaam’s donkey? What if we’re not the main character in the story and we’re in that situation to do our jobs and save someone from disaster?
He had served the purpose of God in his own generation
From time to time I wonder what my great-grandchildren will know about me. Personally, I don’t know anything about what my grandparents were like much less my great-grandparents. Will my children have happy memories of when they were growing up in my house? Will they read my blog post years from now and gain an insight into my love for God? Will the sermons that I preach or the classes that I teach cause others to glorify God? In short, how will I be remembered?
The Apostle Paul had this commentary on King David’s life in Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers…” Acts chapter 13 is Paul’s sermon to the Jews in Antioch concerning how their history was all leading to the redemption through Jesus. Of all the great things Kind David was and did, Paul could have emphasized how David unified the Jewish nation, how he was the greatest king they ever had, or how the promised Messiah was going to come from his line. Paul summarized all the importance of Kind David simply with “he had served the purpose of God”.
I pray that I have the opportunity to do mighty things for God but more than that I hope that I the reflection on my life will be “he served the purpose of God in his own generation.”
Proverbs 3:5-8
Pro 3:5-8 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (8) It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Solomon said earlier in Proverbs that wisdom comes from God. Because of this it is sheer folly to think that we can come up with a better way than God. Solomon tells us how to “lean not on our own understanding”. We do this by acknowledging God in all our ways. When Solomon says that the the Lord will make our paths straight the Hebrew word translated as ’straight’ is yâshar; meaning to be straight or even; figuratively to be (causatively to make) right, pleasant, prosperous [H3474 Strong's Hebrew Dictionary]
Our lives are not always easy, but if we put everything into the perspective of acknowledging God in everything we do, God will work in our lives to make our way yâshar. A clear path from the Lord is healing to our flesh and refreshment to our bones.
Oh Father, help me not to think that I have the master plan. I will acknowledge you in everything that I do because you have made my paths straight.
“Tut-tut, it looks like rain”
My wife is eight months pregnant with our fifth child and, since we live in Phoenix Arizona, it’s a hundred and Hades outside in the shade. I suggested we get out of heat and go camping. We successfully camped at Knoll Lake at the beginning of June so I figured before the next child comes we could have some family bonding time up in the mountains. We decided to go to Rock Crossing, it is in the same area as we camped before.
The weather service forecasted 60% chance for rain. I figured that meant we had a 40% chance of it not raining. I guess it doesn’t really work that way. It rained. Our tent leaked. We did pack up in the rain and came home a day early.
God is good. We spent most of Saturday enjoying each others company and God’s creation.
Proverbs 2:1-5
Pro 2:1-5 ESV My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, (2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (3) yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (4) if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Solomon is encouraging is children to seek to become wise, to desire it like they would a hidden treasure. The pursuit of wisdom leads you to the LORD.
Practical application: I should make my ear attentive to God’s instruction and make it my heart’s desire to gain understanding. If I just fill my heart with knowledge I’ll end up prideful, but if I seek wisdom the process will teach me to fear the LORD.