It is one of the biblical accounts that is sure to create an enraptured audience in Kids Church. Not only does the donkey save Balaam’s life, but the animal opens his mouth and rebukes the man in the process. What child isn’t going to be enthralled and amazed?
The uniqueness of Balaam’s story may cause us to focus our attention on the suddenly verbal mammal, but it would be unwise to do so if we neglect learning from the person he was rebuking. For those unfamiliar with what occurred, the cliff notes version is that Israel’s enemies asked a prophet (Balaam) to curse God’s people. Although reluctant at first, Balaam eventually went, but along the way God created an impediment in his path; namely a donkey that refused to move. As Balaam grew increasingly frustrated at the seemingly stubborn animal, he struck the donkey and in return the donkey miraculously spoke, chastising Balaam for his anger as the donkey’s lack of mobility prevented Balaam from being destroyed (Num 22:33). The angel of the Lord appears and queries Balaam, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me” (Num 22:32). In other words, while Balaam was mad because it seemed like the donkey was preventing him from getting to where he needed to go, in actuality the donkey was God’s protection, preventing him from proceeding when doing so would lead to harm.
Precious saint – although we will likely never encounter a talking animal, we may otherwise face a similar situation. There will be times when God is working for our welfare, but we can’t see what He is doing. He is orchestrating things according to His plan, but all we see are the hurdles and the boulders in our path. We are tempted to get mad at the mounting barriers, but we should be thankful for God’s grace at directing our steps. We are heading in a wrong direction, and in His lovingkindness, He is causing us to stop and turn His way – working for our good and His glory (Ro 8:28).
We may not understand what He is doing, but when it seems like we are stuck, unable to get to where we think we are supposed to be, let us ask God to help us trust in what His loving hand supplies. Let us have confidence that He can clear the path, or He can cause us to stay, and what He chooses is for our protection and provision. And if things get so dicey that even a donkey objects to what we are doing, let us quickly work to realign our steps so that we are walking in the direction He desires us to go.
