Scripture Daily

Context No. 3223 of 4322 · Numbers

Context · Reflection

Numbers 22:31-35: in context

31Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32The LORD’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. 33The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.” 34Balaam said to the LORD’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.” 35The LORD’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

At last the LORD opens Balaam's eyes, and he sees what his donkey had seen all along: the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword. Balaam falls on his face. The angel rebukes him: why have you struck your donkey three times? She saw me and turned aside, and saved your life. Balaam confesses, I have sinned, for I did not know you stood against me.

Balaam, the seer who could not see, had beaten his donkey three times for swerving, blind to the angel that stood in his path. When God finally opens his eyes, he realizes the animal had saved his life. The one supposed to have spiritual sight was truly the blind one; the humble donkey perceived what the prophet could not. It is a humbling picture: God can use the lowly means, even a donkey, to reveal what a proud man refuses to see. And Balaam's freedom to go on comes with a leash: speak only the word I tell you. God will use even a compromised prophet, but strictly on his own terms.

Am I blind to what God is plainly showing me, even through humble means, because of my own stubborn purpose, and will I speak and act only on his terms?

Sources