“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me…” (Numbers 22:28,29).
TEXT — Number 22:21-30
Message
The Bible records a plethora of inconceivable, but true accounts. The story of a burning bush, the gentle breeze and that of a talking donkey are proofs of the miraculous mouthpieces God can choose to use. They show God’s omnipotence, control over all His creature and His ability to use them to serve His purpose any time.
In the story of Balaam, we find a man who professed obedience to the Lord, but struggled with a greedy heart. When the Israelites encamped in the plains of Moab, Balak sent for Balaam to curse them. Balaam, at first, was prohibited by God from going. The king again sent for him and he again refused. He later yielded to the temptations of riches and honour Balak promised him. Expectedly, God’s anger was kindled at Balaam’s covetousness and determined self-will. The angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him with a drawn sword. God had to speak to him through a donkey to convict him of how his desire for money was blinding and leading him to his destruction.
God always speak to warn people of the danger of the wrong decisions and steps they are taking. He can choose to use anything and any situation to sound His warning to people. He still warns us using our consciences and even the examples of evil and judgment of evildoers to caution us.
God warns us because He loves us. But when we fail to take heed to His warnings and decide to stubbornly pursue our self- will and inordinate ambitions, then He will leave us to ourselves to face the consequences of our actions. Balaam died eventually with the Moabites (Numbers 31:8) as a result of his affinity with the enemies of God. Let us be wise not to ignore the warnings the Lord is giving to us; no matter the source.
Thought for the day
Covetousness and disobedience to God leads to self-destruction.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
1 comment
These is a great blessings for those who believes in Christ
These is a great blessings for those who believes in Christ