15Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.
16They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me,
- P76
21Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials.
22But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.
24Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides.
- P76
25When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.
26Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.
27When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff.
28Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"
29Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."
30The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said.
- P77
Balak’s persistence in securing Balaam’s help reveals his determination to manipulate spiritual forces for personal gain. - P78
Balaam, though aware of God’s command, entertains the offer once again—perhaps hoping for a different answer or a greater reward. His hesitation exposes a divided heart, one that hears God’s will yet remains enticed by worldly gain. - P78
Like Balaam, we sometimes seek to negotiate with God, hoping for His approval while still pursuing our own desires. But God calls us to wholehearted obedience. - P78
When we allow personal ambitions to influence our decisions, we risk aligning ourselves with the wrong side. - P78
The enemy often presents us with tempting opportunities, but they come at the cost of our faithfulness to God. - P78
Balaam’s journey to Balak is marked by a striking irony: his donkey sees what he cannot. The angel of the Lord stands in his path, yet he remains blind and persistently beats the animal that tries to save his life. - P78
Only when God opens Balaam’s eyes does he recognize his peril. This account illustrates how sin blinds us to God’s warnings. Balaam was so set on pursuing his own way that he failed to see the obvious signs. - P78
Likewise, when we insist on our plans rather than seeking God’s will, we risk becoming spiritually blind and insensitive to His leading. - P78
His mercy sometimes places obstacles in our way to redirect us. - P78
When you realize He is leading you to change course, do not resist Him. - P78
"When we are born again, the eyes of our hearts are enlightened and, through faith,
we begin to see the Treasure: God himself in Christ." - Jon Bloom - P78
Lord, help me recognize when my heart is divided between Your will and my own desires. - P79
Give me the courage to choose obedience over compromise. - P79
May I seek Your approval above all else, trusting that Your plans for me are far better than anything the world can offer. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P79
God opens Balaam‘s eyes to see the angel of the Lord standing in the path witha drawn sword. Balaam offers to turn back. The angel of the Lord permits himto go but commands him to speak only what He says. Balaam meets Balak andinforms him that he can only speak what God puts in his mouth. - P81
Friends, when you are in a hurry, it is likely that you will blame others insteadof noticing your own faults. When we empty a day of all meetings, fasting frombusyness, we will hear God‘s correction more clearly, and be able to more fullyconfess our sins.
- Pastor Sam An - P83
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