God uses a donkey

The Israelites eventually moved to the valley of Moab. When the king of Moab heard how God had helped the Israelites defeat the Amorite army, he was terrified. So he sent messengers to bring Balaam to curse the nation of Israel.

At first, God told Balaam not to go with them. But later, when the king sent more messengers, the Lord told Balaam he could go—but only to say what God told him to say. The next day Balaam set out with them, but God was angry with him. On the way, the angel of the Lord stood in front of the donkey Balaam was riding. When the donkey turned off into a field, Balaam lost his temper and beat it. Then the angel moved ahead and stood in a narrow place on the path. The donkey saw the angel and lay down, so Balaam beat it again.

This time, the Lord made the donkey speak to Balaam. “What have I done to you? Why are you beating me?” the donkey asked. Then the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing in the road with a drawn sword. So Balaam fell facedown on the ground.

Can a donkey really speak?

Balaam did not listen to God—perhaps he would listen to his donkey! Balaam’s selfish heart was guiding him, not a desire to obey God. We know this because God was very angry when Balaam went with the messengers.

Donkeys aren’t able to speak, but God gave this donkey the ability to talk to Balaam. God wanted to warn him before his stubborn heart led him into serious trouble.

Sometimes we may hear God speaking to us through the Bible or through the Holy Spirit inside us, but our hearts want to do something else, so we pretend not to hear.

Balaam was tempted to curse the Israelites because the king had offered him a great reward, but God stopped him in his tracks!

Learn to listen patiently and carefully to what God is saying, so that the voice of His Spirit in your heart is not drowned out by other voices telling you what to do.

Verse for today

“I tell you," Jesus replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40

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