If you have not read Numbers 22-24 lately, you really should. Most people are somewhat familiar with the phrase, "If God could speak through an ass (donkey)......" and this is where that story comes from. This week Father led me to this story as our next installment of His Agents of SMASH. I will have to admit, on the surface, it does not seem to fit the profile, that is until you really dig deeper.
Take a minute and read it for yourself. I never believe in relying on someone else to recount a story especially if the source is available. But here was our take on it.
Israel is in the post Egypt era and they are moving through the land, pretty much overtaking all the inhabitants based on God's command. When they reach Moab, the king there, Balak, decides to take some extreme measures. He reaches out to Balaam, a well known sorcerer in the area who has a high reputation as being one who if he cursed or blessed you, you were cursed or blessed. Bala, knew he had no chance against Israel, unless, Balaam would come curse them.
Balak sends messengers to bring Balaam to his aid, and God simply told Balaam "No!" So Balak, sends a second party of princes to ask for his services, and this time God told him to go with them, but only say what He told him to say.
The next verse is really interesting as we enter into the donkey's part of the story. Salaam, gets up the next day and goes as God had told him to, but then we see God for doing what he had said, to which I replied, "Good question to ask God!"
This is when God sends an angel to oppose Balaam on his journey and the Agent of SMASH goes to work. This angel stands in the path and Balaam does not see him, but the donkey does. Here is why that is interesting. Balaam is a sorcerer who is suppose to be in touch with the spiritual realm and see spiritual beings. He should have seen the angel, but his eyes had been shut and he could not. So when the donkey 1) veered into the field 2) rubbed the wall crushing Balaam's foot 3) laid down in the road, Balaam went ballistic and beat the animal. And when it said he beat the donkey, imagine a thorough whipping and lashing that would hurt. Balaam was furious because he was embarrassed. This animal was "making a fool" of him (v.29). God, in his mercy allowed the donkey to speak and simply ask Balaam, "Why are you beating me?"
Here is where we get the fun part of the story. Balaam seemingly not surprised answers his donkey. They carry on a discourse until Balaam finally says, "If I had a sword I would slay you!" Now is when his eyes are opened and he finally sees this angel with a flaming sword in his hand and Balaam is AFRAID! The angel informs him had it not been for his donkey, he would have surely slain Balaam and spared the donkey (ironic turn of events.) Balaam in fear offers to go back home, but instead, God told him to continue on through the angel, but warned again that he was only to say what he was told to say.
So how is the donkey an Agent of SMASH? She was an agent because she saw the danger ahead and turned to avoid it, and in the process, she crushed the foot and pride of the man she was carrying. Agents of Smash are agents who are sent to purify from sin, and Balaam had a pride issue which showed itself in his reactions to the donkey turning from the path and embarrassing him. If God had not used the donkey to purify Balaam before he arrived, he may have succumbed to the temptation to curse Israel in order to please Balak over God. He had been told to only do as God said, but with a heart full of pride, he may have disobeyed in order to please men. His pride and arrogance is shown by the fact he was blindly going ahead, ignorant of the road block God had sent. Without the donkey, Balaam would have surely died because he was not acting humbly and this would have spelled disaster for him ahead.
However, because God used a donkey to humble this proud man, he obeyed when he was told to bless Israel despite the temptation to receive the approval and riches of men. He obeyed God inspite of the fact he may have lost his life at the hands of Balak. This Agent of SMASH allowed him to see God more clearly and therefore obey His commands.
What a fascinating story and one we can learn so much from. God oft times places obstacles in our paths in order to protect us or remind us of his will. And if we are too proudly marching forward in our own strength, in His mercy he may humble us and speak to us through the mouth of an ass (donkey.) If we are sensitive to Him, hopefully we will see the Angel and the flaming Sword before the donkey speaks!
On a personal note, having had donkeys on our farm and knowing how frustrating they can be, it gives this story even more significance when the donkey says "have I ever acted like this before?" and Balaam says "No." I promise you, if one of my donkeys ever spoke, you can bet I would first check my sanity, but then I would listen. Because of this donkey, God secured a major blessing for his people and again displayed His sovereignty over ALL things!
Amazing story, you should really check it out!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
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