“And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and provides an account of the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, Balak, the king of Moab, had become fearful of the Israelites and their encampment near his kingdom. He sought to hire the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them. However, God warned Balaam not to go with the messengers from Balak unless God explicitly commanded him to do so.
Verse Analysis: In Numbers 22:29, we see Balaam having an encounter with his donkey. As Balaam was on his way to meet Balak, the angel of the Lord stood in the way to oppose him. However, Balaam was unable to see the angel, while his donkey was aware of its presence. The donkey veered off the path, crushing Balaam’s foot against a wall in the process. Balaam, in his frustration, struck the donkey.
The verse records Balaam’s response to the donkey. He expressed his anger and frustration, saying that if he had a sword in his hand at that moment, he would kill the donkey. Balaam’s statement highlights his impatience and his inability to understand the significance of the donkey’s behavior.
Lessons and Principles:
- God can use unexpected means to get our attention: In this story, God used a talking donkey to get Balaam’s attention and prevent him from going against God’s will. It demonstrates that God can use any means necessary to communicate with us and guide us.
- Impatience can blind us: Balaam’s impatience caused him to overlook the supernatural aspect of the situation. His immediate reaction was anger and a desire to harm the donkey. Similarly, impatience in our own lives can blind us to the bigger picture and the work of God.
- The importance of humility and discernment: Balaam failed to discern the spiritual reality around him, whereas the donkey was sensitive to the presence of the angel. This serves as a reminder for us to cultivate humility and discernment, so we can recognize God’s guidance and direction in our lives.
- God’s sovereignty over human plans: Despite Balak’s attempts to manipulate Balaam and curse the Israelites, God had already made it clear that He would bless the Israelites. This event shows that God is sovereign over human plans and that His purposes cannot be thwarted.
Overall, Numbers 22:29 teaches us about God’s ability to use unexpected means, the dangers of impatience, the importance of humility and discernment, and the sovereignty of God over human plans.
