Balaam, the prophet and his little gray donkey (ass) as it was then called. This is how I’m picturing them: I imagine Balaam, the prophet, with his little gray beast since it was very young. This donkey might have been called wisdom. I said that! For since the prophet was a man of great knowledge – what other name could he consider for his carriage? The name Wisdom must be very obvious!
Well, in my mind the beast was gray and called Wisdom. Now, this Balaam, listen to what I’ve thought about him. He might have been accustomed to abuse Wisdom, and if that is the fact, he did so, as he’d got authority over the dumb beast. All the same – little Wisdom was still very obedient – and never failed to do its duty. One day, however, God caused the little ass to behave in an unusual way. It happened while Balaam was on his way, to do something that was an ungodly act. He was going to put a curse on God’s chosen people.
God then, I presume decided that enough was enough, and then He took action. He stopped Balaam – by sending an angel to block his path. This blockage prevented Wisdom (the Donkey} with Balaam aboard its back, from going on a head. That made the prophet very angry – at Wisdom as it failed to proceed. Balaam was blind to the fact – they were into the presence of an Angel. At that point, he couldn't see the Angel, but the Angel, Wisdom could see.
Therefore, Balaam pushed and abused, the poor little beast to go ahead, but it wasn’t possible to go forward. As a result – all Wisdom could do was to sit down – with Balaam on its back. This Balaam, however, He wasn’t going to settle for disobedience from an ass. And so, He did what he thought was right. He whipped Wisdom! If the reader, though, would go and look carefully into Numbers 22, he/she would soon determine, who was to be blamed. Or, who should have had the whipping. It was not Wisdom.
Undoubtedly, when you read Numbers 22, no way would you fail to notice that Balaam was at fault. Anyway – he continued to push and abuse Wisdom to go on, but the little donkey could not. This is where God had to stepped in, and at this very point, the Lord performed a great miracle. He allowed Wisdom to speak to Balaam. Then right away the prophet’s eyes were opened, and he saw the angel blocking his path.
It may be fair to say – man in his blind state of mind – will always be inclined to punish and pressure God’s innocents. Whether it is another human being or beast. Even so, it seems to me that, just before the worse comes to the worst, the Lord will take a stand. Yes! He will lift up a standard – even if it means dumb beast talking – Like in the role of Wisdom the ass – and the prophet Balaam.
The truth is, even a person of vision, if he/she let go of God’s lead, he or she can easily get lost in darkness. Hence, not being guided by God; he/she could fall into great difficulties. The way home is to follow the Lord. Then my friends, for safety, follow in the direction of the Lord; in the end you’ll be safe.
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