Devotion March 31 | Florida Conference

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Sunday, March 31 – Numbers 22, 23 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 40, “Balaam”

Study Questions:

1. Why was Balak, king of Moab, concerned about the arrival of the people of Israel in his vicinity? Numbers 22:1-3

2. Whom did Balak turn to for help? Numbers 22:4

3. Who accompanied the elders of Moab to ask Balaam for help? Numbers 22:7

4. What warning did God give to Balaam? Numbers 22:12

5. Why did the donkey stray from the path and then pressed against a wall? Numbers 22:23-27

6. In what extraordinary way did the Lord rebuke the stubborn prophet? Numbers 22:31

Commentary and Reflection:

One of the most well-known biblical stories is that of the prophet Balaam, to whom his donkey spoke. Donkeys have always been taken as examples of stubbornness. Scientific studies indicate that donkeys are very intelligent animals and surpass horses in their ability to remember. I remember when in my adolescence I was in the rugged mountains of the Sierra Maestra, in Cuba, I had to travel through very narrow trails climbing those steep slopes on the edge of deep precipices. On one occasion, I was accompanied by an experienced rider on his horse when his mount put a foot on the edge of the cliff, and I watched in amazement as horse and rider rolled downhill; fortunately, he survived. I, on the other hand, was riding a mule. The locals claimed that they were smarter for traversing those dangerous winding trails. It is no wonder that God used one of these noble beasts to rebuke the stubborn prophet.

Some think that it was the angel of the Lord who spoke, and the prophet thought it was the donkey. After all, can’t God make an animal speak? Didn’t Satan use the mouth of the serpent in Eden to deceive a human being? Of course, God could make a beast speak to rebuke a man who ultimately was more stubborn than the beast itself. When a person disobeys God, he can become so dumb to argue with an animal as if it were a person. The truth is that Balaam was dazzled by the offer that King Balak made him. It was a great fortune that he offered him, and Balaam was greedy. The apostle Peter clarifies this by saying that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15).

We wonder, how can someone, pretending to be a servant of God, act against the divine plan? Balaam was a prophet, although he was not part of Israel. He, like others in pagan countries, could have been used by God for an important work. An example is that of the wise men from the East at the time of Jesus’ birth. Balaam could have been a blessing, but his greed led to his downfall. Although he spoke truths and could not curse Israel, nevertheless, he cannot be qualified as a true prophet. In the end, the donkey played a better role than him.

In today’s reading we can read his first two prophecies, always in favor of Israel. It was so because the same God who touched the tongue of the donkey also touched the tongue of the stubborn prophet. God is sovereign and does what He believes He must do. In Balaam’s last two attempts, the Lord put one of the greatest Messianic prophecies on his tongue, but we will leave that for tomorrow’s study.

Let us learn from this story the wise lessons that help us to be upright and loyal to the Lord in our daily lives. In summary, God’s will for His people will always be fulfilled.

Let us praise His blessed Name!

Pastor Rolando de los Rios

Sunday, March 31 – Numbers 22, 23 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 40, “Balaam”

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Sunday, March 31 – Numbers 22, 23 – Additional Reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 40, “Balaam”

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