God, Balaam and the Donkey

As a kid, we're taught to look onto Balaam with disdain. The story of him with the donkey is told with strong negativity.

Emphasis is put on the fact that Balaam went to Balak, and that Balaam hit his donkey, and that God was unhappy with Balaam for going.

But as I was reading the story (Numbers 22-24) again today, I decided that I really, really, REALLY like Balaam. One of the cool things that I think is to be noted is that Balaam wasn't an Israelite, but he followed "the LORD" (22:19). I think Balaam should be lauded, because he did what he heard God telling him to do. He refused riches and renown and earthly awesomeness in exchange for the Word of God. He did not go with the men until he felt God say "go" (v. 20). (and back to that donkey, who, honestly, if they thought they were following God, would get irritated if their car wouldn't start on their way to follow God? I know I'd probably kick some hubcaps in...) He did not curse the people of Israel the three times the King, Balak, asked him to. In fact, he even went a step further, following God's voice and blessing Israel a fourth time while turning the curse back on the men asking to undermine Israel (24:15-25). What guts to share exactly what God tells Him to share! How exciting to know that God speaks.

And He still speaks today.

I just want to leave you with a little bit of encouragement from Balaam's prophecy/oracle/blessing:

"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.
He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel.
The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them.
God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, 'What has God wrought!'"

The last verse of that oracle was a little bloody, so I'm leaving it out to be read in context of a little nation traveling around the world, taking over countries one by one by killing everyone in them. I don't plan on doing that anytime soon. Is it heresy to leave it out? LOL. And that is all from Numbers 23:18-24. The Great Love that has spoken into your life cannot lie. He will fulfill the good work that He has to do. (see also Philippians 1:6)

Have a superly great day! I plan on having a good one, myself. :)