Verse of the day: Numbers 22:22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
Here we have another occasion in which God’s anger was stirred against one of his servants. Why was God’s anger kindled against Balaam? The matter begins deep within the heart of Balaam. Although he was a man of God, his heart was far from God. Yet, God is merciful, and gracious, in communicating with Him. Praise the Lord that He does not just give up on us, but gives us the opportunity to reconsider and do what is right before His eyes. In this instance, God’s anger toward Balaam stems from his stubbornness in pursuing something that is obviously not God’s will. Balak, in an attempt to have Israel cursed tries to hire Balaam to set the curse. However, when God’s people are under His protection, He will allow no one to come near them in such a manner (v. 12). If God chooses to bless, no one but God can remove that blessing. Nonetheless, let us not forget that we can forfeit a blessing when we go against God’s will and plan. Balaam traded heavenly blessing for the possibility of earthly gain because of his love for money. 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The first time he was approached by Balak’s messengers, he knew what they were asking of him was wrong. Yet, we see that he entertained the possibility of being able to go ahead with this evil plan when he invited these messengers to stay, rather than send them on their way (v. 8). We set ourselves up for a fall when we entertain temptation, rather than turning to the way of escape that God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13); which is what Balaam did. Now he begins to do something that far too many of us Christians do, we know in our hearts that doing certain things are wrong, but we spiritualize it by saying that we will pray about whether or not we should do it. When Balaam inquired of God, the LORD could not have been any clearer than when He said, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed”, in verse 12. When the first attempt failed, Balak sent another set of messengers who were obviously in a position to offer Balaam more money (v. 15). Here is where the true intentions of Balaam’s heart shined. He already knew that God refused his request to go and specifically told him that what they were asking of him was wrong. Yet, Balaam, once again, goes to God, as if seeking God’s will (which was already clearly communicated), hoping to receive a different answer. Well, he certainly did receive a different answer, not because God had changed His mind, but because God had different plans, and would use Balaam’s greed, stubbornness, and disobedience to work things out for the benefit of Israel. There does come a time when God will give us up to our own desires, and the consequences can be more than we bargain for (Psalm 81:12; Romans 1:24). As Balaam goes on his merry way, against God’s will, he encounters difficulty as his donkey refuses to go forward, because of the Angel of the Lord. Sadly, today, when we venture out against what we know is not God’s will, and we encounter difficulties, we convince ourselves that the opposition we face is really the devils that are hindering us so that we do not accomplish God’s will. How easily we deceive ourselves when we seek to do that which is wrong before God’s eyes, pleasurable to the flesh, and profitable in earthly gain. Ephesians 4:22 calls those desires “deceitful lusts.” It is not until God opens Balaam’s eyes to God’s impending judgement that he repents of his perverse ways (v. 31-34). Here is where, once again, we see God’s amazing mercy and grace. Instead of just killing Balaam in His anger, God opens Balaam’s eyes, and allows him to go forward to be an instrument in God’s hand, rather than Balak’s. I cannot count how many times God’s has been merciful in allowing me to continue in His service, even though what I deserved was to be set aside. This is no new revelation about who God is in our lives. We see Him use men and women in the Scriptures who deserved to be set aside, and even killed; yet, in His undeserved goodness toward us, He blesses us with another opportunity to get it right, and continue with the privilege of serving Him. Is it because of our goodness, our talents, our abilities, or anything special about us? No, it is because of His Son, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. It is because of His intercession. It is because of His righteousness. It is because in Christ we are His children. If you know that we are on the wrong track, but we are seeking to change God’s mind about something that is not His will for us, we need to STOP! Let us turn to Him in repentance, confess it, and allow Him to continue using us for His glory.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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