Stubborn as a Donkey...

"Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went off with the noblemen from Moab. As he was going, though, God’s anger flared. The angel of God stood in the road to block his way. Balaam was riding his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. When the donkey saw the angel blocking the road and brandishing a sword, she veered off the road into the ditch.

Balaam beat the donkey and got her back on the road. But as they were going through a vineyard, with a fence on either side, the donkey again saw God’s angel blocking the way and veered into the fence, crushing Balaam’s foot against the fence. Balaam hit her again.

God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick.

Then God gave speech to the donkey. She said to Balaam: “What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times?” Balaam said, “Because you’ve been playing games with me! If I had a sword I would have killed you by now.” The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your trusty donkey on whom you’ve ridden for years right up until now? Have I ever done anything like this to you before? Have I?”
He said, “No.”

Then God helped Balaam see what was going on: He saw God’s angel blocking the way, brandishing a sword. Balaam fell to the ground, his face in the dirt. God’s angel said to him: “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times? I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she hadn’t, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey. I would have let her off.” Balaam said to God’s angel, “I have sinned. I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way. If you don’t like what I’m doing, I’ll head back.” (Numbers 22:21-34, MSG)

I remember when I first heard the story of Balaam and his talking donkey as a child I thought it was cool. I wished for years I had a talking donkey. Shoot, I would have settled for a talking dog, cat, or even hamster!! Even over the years, I would read or hear this story from the Bible and just focus on that part of it. Today, though, as I read it, God showed me the part I highlighted above.

How often am I so set in my ways and stubborn that I don't even see God trying to keep me from sin and harm. How often do I just blow by "God's stop signs" and continue to do my own stupid will? How often will I continue to do it, ignoring that still small voice of God, just waiting for Him to send me a talking donkey?

On that day, Balaam was more stubborn than his donkey....it finally had to show him that he was protectin him all along.

I think I can take a lesson from this....

Listen to God's lead for me....and don't be a donkey!