God Does Have a Sense of Humor!

Numbers 21; Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Mark 6; Mark 7
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Scripture

Balaam's Donkey

Numbers 22:21-35

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.


24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.
26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"
29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."
30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"
"No," he said.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."
34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."
35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.



Observation

Yes animals can talk if God needs for them to and they (even a fish) can even swallow a man and keep him alive for 3 days if God needs for them to. God does have a sense of humor! Balaam has been asked to go and put a curse on the children of Israel. Balak is afraid of them and believes that if Balaam will just put a curse on them then Balak can defeat them in battle. He was going to reward Balaam handsomely for casting the curse. I don’t think Balaam had completely decided to obey God and so God used a talking donkey to make him a believer! Curses are powerful, but blessings are way more powerful. You need to pray and ask God to bless for your spouse and your children everyday.

Application

Balak knew the power of a curse, but he didn’t understand how important it was to be on God’s side to be able to receive God's blessings. Take time today to count your many blessings and pray and bless those that God puts on your heart.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing today. Help me hear and obey your voice. Put on my heart today people that need a blessing from you. Speak to me today and guide me and help me do the things that are on your heart.



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