Listen to your donkey

Numbers 22

Balaam was on his way to Moab because he had been summoned by Balak, the king of Moab. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites, because he had seen what the Israelites had done to the Amorites and was scared that Moab will share the same fate.

Now, the Angel of the Lord stood in Balaam’s way to oppose him. Balaam was prepared to go on the journey, but his donkey saw the danger ahead and refused to move.

Angry Balaam struck the donkey three times until the donkey spoke and God opened Balaam’s eyes, so that he could see the Angel, who had a drawn sword in his hand. Only then did he realize that his life had been saved by a donkey.

In Exodus 23, God sent his Angel to lead Israel. Verse 20 says “Behold, I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Sometimes, we get little warnings over certain issues but we are quick to disregard them. It has happened to me so many times and when I eventually get an unpleasant result, I remember the subtle warning I got, and I say “Oh! If only the warning was more persistent”. Sometimes, it’s even over matters you won’t describe as ‘serious’.

Warnings do not necessarily mean you are on the wrong track, it could mean that the timing is not right and so you need to hold on. It won’t be out of place to pause when next you get that little warning.  You can take out time to pray over the matter again until you have peace about going ahead. Balaam was prepared to turn back in verse 34 but the Angel of the Lord gave him the go ahead, on the condition that he will speak only words God has put in his mouth.

Your donkey could be your mind, a preacher on TV or radio, a road-side sign, a passer-by talking to someone else on the road, a little child, a story you just read from a book, a little picture in your kitchen, a song… anything at all, even your dream.

Titus 3 verse 10 says “warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that have nothing to do with him

Revelations 3 verse 19 says “for as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent".

Heed that warning today. Be sure you are on track.