My wife and I have been asking God for a couple years now why HE had sent the Angel of the Lord to stop Balaam when it was HIM who had sent him in the first place? Many know the story because God had used a donkey to speak to one of His servants. But it is more than just a story about a donkey able to speak. It is a story of a calling and the road to corruption.
Numbers 22:20-23 And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do.21 And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the [a]Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.23 And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way.
The men of Moab had come a couple times to entice Balaam to speak a cursing on God's people. They had initially brought wealth to bribe him. In verse 7, the people of Moabite had come with rewards of divination or fortunetelling. But since God did not give Balaam permission, the Moabite princes had up the ante. However, in Numbers chapter 22, verse 20, God actually gives Balaam permission to go with the men of Moab. But God had given him strict instructions to only do and say what God allows.
But why after two verses, in verse 22 was God's anger kindled against Balaam? Why did God send the Angel of the Lord to stop Balaam when it was God who had just given permission to go?
When God had gavin Balaam permission to go, we can perceive this as a calling for those in the ministry. Many are called to preach, evangelize, teach, help, and so forth. Many have been called receiving spiritual gifts for healing ministries, missionary work, deliverance, prophecy, and so forth. However, many of God's own people are stuck. Many are defeated and many are dismayed. They think the devil has got in the way. Yes, the devil is used but God had given the devil permission to come against Job. Many today are being stopped by God HIMSELF against their ministries. Why? All answers are in the bible.
2 Peter 2:15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
2 Peter 2:16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
Jude 1:11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.
Yes, God gave Balaam permission to go. Just as today, many have been given a calling and permission to start ministries or other works of God. But Balaam saw an opportunity to use God's calling to become rich. In the morning, Balaam's heart was wrong and God's anger was kindled. Many today have their own spiritual donkey at work against their journey in God's work. They may think they are doing God's work, but they are doing it to earn money. They have become corrupted. It may not always be for money. Some are doing it out of pride, for their own glory, to prove themselves to others, and so forth. They are trying to live their personal dreams through God's work. God had told all of us to follow precise instructions in what we say and do. But many have self willed spirits and are doing their own thing. Therefore, we have ichabod (1 Samuel 4:21, The glory of God has left) in our churches.
There are many corrupted servants who prophecy and interpret dreams for money. There are many who hold conferences speaking end times stirring up the emotions of God's people to earn money. Many have gone the way of Balaam. Yes, God may have given permission to go but they had left with a wrong heart. Woe to them!
Numbers 22:7 (AMP) And the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with the rewards of foretelling in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.
May the eyes of God's people be opened to HIS TRUTH so that they may be set free from the enemy and the ways of their flesh/fear. Have mercy on your people, Oh Lord, and restore the joy of our salvation!!
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
August 28, 2014
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