Numbers 22
I've been reading through the Bible lately, piece by piece. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thoroughly enjoying it. Each little story, each little piece is so beauitfully placed and written to help us understand God's character more and more. And as I finally put the puzzle together for myself, I realise the significance and relevancy of God's character in our everyday lives.
I just read Numbers 22 - 23. I'm a bit disappointed that I have class in a few minutes, because I could have kept reading. But how awesome is this passage! Balak summons for Balaam, begging him for help in destroying the Israelites. And instead of Balaam taking the payment and immediately cursing the Israelites, he goes and prays to God.
First, how amazing is it that he isn't even tempted by a reward. He pushes it aside and says, 'please, I must talk to my master.'
Second, when God instructs Balaam not to kill the Israelites, he obeys. First off.
As the story goes along, Balaam is asked again and again to plead with God for help in cursing the foreigners for Balak. And here is the kicker. Balaam is traveling along to meet Balak and see these foreigners and he comes in contact with an angel of the Lord. Balaam doesn't realise it is an angel of the Lord, but his donkey does. The donkey he is riding refuses to pass this angel three times. As Balaam cannot figure out what is going on, he finally sees that this is an angel of the Lord and his donkey was protecting him from death. God was trying to keep Balaam from doing something he shouldn't, in his own way.
Metaphorically speaking, am I riding on a donkey that is refusing to pass through the small opening ahead? Is God standing there, invisible to me, but visible to my mode or transportation, block the way to a life that I shouldn't lead? Should I pay more attention to obvious road blocks placed in front of me, and simply fall to my knees before I try to pass around?
There is so much I don't know about His word... So much. And I can only praise God for a humbling experience as I continue to sort out His words.
I just read Numbers 22 - 23. I'm a bit disappointed that I have class in a few minutes, because I could have kept reading. But how awesome is this passage! Balak summons for Balaam, begging him for help in destroying the Israelites. And instead of Balaam taking the payment and immediately cursing the Israelites, he goes and prays to God.
First, how amazing is it that he isn't even tempted by a reward. He pushes it aside and says, 'please, I must talk to my master.'
Second, when God instructs Balaam not to kill the Israelites, he obeys. First off.
As the story goes along, Balaam is asked again and again to plead with God for help in cursing the foreigners for Balak. And here is the kicker. Balaam is traveling along to meet Balak and see these foreigners and he comes in contact with an angel of the Lord. Balaam doesn't realise it is an angel of the Lord, but his donkey does. The donkey he is riding refuses to pass this angel three times. As Balaam cannot figure out what is going on, he finally sees that this is an angel of the Lord and his donkey was protecting him from death. God was trying to keep Balaam from doing something he shouldn't, in his own way.
Metaphorically speaking, am I riding on a donkey that is refusing to pass through the small opening ahead? Is God standing there, invisible to me, but visible to my mode or transportation, block the way to a life that I shouldn't lead? Should I pay more attention to obvious road blocks placed in front of me, and simply fall to my knees before I try to pass around?
There is so much I don't know about His word... So much. And I can only praise God for a humbling experience as I continue to sort out His words.
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