Stubborn as a Mule
Is there anything more frightening than an angry person?
How about an angry angel?
So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. God's anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as his adversary. - Numbers 22:21-22
In today's Old Testament reading, Balaam has decided to take matters into his own hands, twisting what God has told him in order to do as he pleased.
It is a complex matter and one that seems ridiculous out of context, but let's set the scene.
King Balak, a moabite, is fearful of the Israelites who are approaching, threatening to move in on his territory. (We have countries struggling with this today, don't we? ) In our modern-day conflicts, we rely on news media to help tell the story and sway the popular view of what is going on, and so back in Balak's day, he hired a magician, Balaam to come and curse the Israelites before the people of Balak's kingdom.
Of course God did not want Balaam to go unless Balaam would speak only God's words praising Israel. God offered to let him go if they called him, but before they called, he packed up his donkey and rode off.
What follows is a bit of animal cruelty, followed by a talking donkey, an angel with a sword, and a man trapped in a vineyard with no way out finally giving in to the will of God.
I swear I am not making this up.
Even though Balaam is being paid handsomely to deliver a social media campaign against Israel, he does the opposite, letting God use his voice to say what God wants the people to hear.
It is important to understand that Balaam did not do this against his will. At first he was indignant and self-driven, but he changed. That is the message I take away from this fantastic story.
It is possible to change. We can stop being stubborn and righteously indignant and start listening and seeing what God wants us to understand, about ourselves, our mission in life and about Him.