There once was a movie about a fictitious character named Doctor Doolittle, who could talk to animals. Conversing with animals, as we do with one another, has long been a dream of many people. But, there once was an incident involving clear communication between man and animal. It was hardly the realization of a dream; it was more of a nightmare.
Numbers 22 recounts an appeal by a king named Balak to a prophet named Balaam. Balak, king of Moab, had witnessed the deliverance of the people of Israel from Israel, and their increasing numbers and might. He feared for his kingdom and position, and settled on a solution: enlist a prophet of God to pronounce a curse on them. A simple solution ... in theory.
"Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." (Numbers 22:6)
God initially made it abundantly clear to Balaam that cursing the Israelites was unthinkable, for they were blessed of God: God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.'" (Numbers 22:12)
That should have been the end of the matters, but king Balak was persuasive, and Balaam eventually consented to mount his faithful donkey and journey to Moab. And that's when things got interesting. An angel of the LORD appeared along the way, unseen by Balaam. But, not to his donkey. Three times the donkey diverted course when confronted by the angel, only adding to growing irritation by Balaam. Each time, Balaam struck his reluctant donkey with a stick. But, the next series of events are the real shocker: the angel of the LORD spoke directly through the donkey. Verses 28-33 record the interesting exchange between donkey (angel) and Balaam. Through these conversations, Balaam comes to realize the danger and futility of cursing that which God has blessed (verses 34=35).
A song written a few years ago about this story states that the lesson is that God does the choosing, and could have used the dog next door if He'd been so inclined. Good point, but perhaps not the main point. The real lesson seems to be that what God has blessed will not be cursed. And, that applies to us, His people. As we continue to live in obedience, we enjoy His blessings. No matter who or what may try to curse us, God's favor remains.
We live in a world system set in radical opposition to the kingdom of God and the people of God. Make no mistake; it's all-out war - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19) But, the curse that the world and the enemy would seek to leverage against us will not and cannot work, because the curse has been removed through a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. Thus, we are enabled to "bless those who curse you" (Luke 6:28)
As his blessed ones, let's seek to be a blessing to all we encounter today - whether they curse or bless us.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
Numbers 22 recounts an appeal by a king named Balak to a prophet named Balaam. Balak, king of Moab, had witnessed the deliverance of the people of Israel from Israel, and their increasing numbers and might. He feared for his kingdom and position, and settled on a solution: enlist a prophet of God to pronounce a curse on them. A simple solution ... in theory.
"Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." (Numbers 22:6)
God initially made it abundantly clear to Balaam that cursing the Israelites was unthinkable, for they were blessed of God: God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.'" (Numbers 22:12)
That should have been the end of the matters, but king Balak was persuasive, and Balaam eventually consented to mount his faithful donkey and journey to Moab. And that's when things got interesting. An angel of the LORD appeared along the way, unseen by Balaam. But, not to his donkey. Three times the donkey diverted course when confronted by the angel, only adding to growing irritation by Balaam. Each time, Balaam struck his reluctant donkey with a stick. But, the next series of events are the real shocker: the angel of the LORD spoke directly through the donkey. Verses 28-33 record the interesting exchange between donkey (angel) and Balaam. Through these conversations, Balaam comes to realize the danger and futility of cursing that which God has blessed (verses 34=35).
A song written a few years ago about this story states that the lesson is that God does the choosing, and could have used the dog next door if He'd been so inclined. Good point, but perhaps not the main point. The real lesson seems to be that what God has blessed will not be cursed. And, that applies to us, His people. As we continue to live in obedience, we enjoy His blessings. No matter who or what may try to curse us, God's favor remains.
We live in a world system set in radical opposition to the kingdom of God and the people of God. Make no mistake; it's all-out war - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19) But, the curse that the world and the enemy would seek to leverage against us will not and cannot work, because the curse has been removed through a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. Thus, we are enabled to "bless those who curse you" (Luke 6:28)
As his blessed ones, let's seek to be a blessing to all we encounter today - whether they curse or bless us.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:20 AM
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