Numbers 22
Balaam was a servant of the Most High. He obviously had been used by God because he had a reputation for blessing and cursing people.
Balak was a wicked Moabite king. Balak had seen with his own eyes what God had done to the Amorites through the Israelites and he wanted no part of it.
Balak had heard of Balaam's reputation and determined to tap into that resource. He wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites, for he feared they would destroy his land and people like they had the Amorites.
Balak sent a party of his leaders, along with a payment, to ask Balaam to come to his aide.
Balaam prayed and asked God if he was to go. God told him NO! He was not to curse the people because God had blessed them. Balaam refused to go to Balak.
A second time Balak sent messengers. A second time Balaam prayed. This time God said go but only speak what I tell you to speak.
Along the road Balaam's donkey saw an angel coming to kill Balaam. Three times the donkey tried to save Balaam. Three times Balaam grew angry and beat the donkey. After the third time, God opened the donkey's mouth so she could speak. She spoke and asked Balaam why he had beaten her. He was surprisingly not surprised that a donkey was talking to him. He told her she had made him look like a fool.
Following this conversation, God opened Balaam's eyes to see the angel. The angel of the Lord spoke to Balaam and told him that he had come to kill him.
Why had God wanted to kill Balaam? How many times do we ask God for something, get an answer (no), then ask again, as if He will change His mind?
God told Balaam no, then Balaam asked again. God did allow him to go with strict orders to speak only what God told him. God however, was not pleased with Balaam's choice to go or to ask again once he had the answer.
God loves us and sometimes He has to answer, "NO" for our good. When we feel like we can bully or badger God into giving us what we want, we need to remember that it will cost us something, maybe even our very lives.
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