A Standard Through a Donkey
Numbers 22:32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why
have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you
because your path is a reckless one before me.” (NIV)
The
Israelites were a powerful people whom the Lord had blessed tremendously. Jehovah
Nissi had delivered them from the hands of their enemies, the Egyptians, and
the other nations were fearful of them when they went to various places. The
Israelites traveled to the land of Moab where the Moabites were in fear because
there were so many of them. Therefore, they complained to their elders and the
king of Moab responded by sending for the prophet Balaam to place a curse on
them. Numbers 22:6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because
they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and
drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and
those you curse are cursed. (NIV) Nevertheless, King Balak of Moab did
not know that whomever Jehovah Nissi has blessed, no man can curse. Jehovah Nissi
had a banner of protection over His children and as long as they walked in His
ways, his Banner would not be broken.
The
elders of Moab went to the prophet Balaam to see if he would agree to curse the
Children of Israel. Balaam let them know that he had to consult God and would
return to them with an answer. Balaam was not a prophet of God, but a sorcerer.
He did not worship Jehovah Nissi but consorted with the magic arts. However,
Jehovah Nissi still spoke to Balaam because He was letting both the people of
Moab and Balaam know that He was God and that He had a Banner of protection
over His people. Numbers 22:12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You
must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” (NIV)
God was letting Balaam know that no one could undo what He as Jehovah Nissi had
done. Therefore, Balaam was not allowed to put a curse on the Children of
Israel. This lets you know that even the servants of the devil are subservient
to the will of God. The devil cannot do anything unless he gets permission from
God as we see in the story of Job. Job 2:4-6 “Skin for skin!” Satan
replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your
hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your
face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you
must spare his life.” (NIV)
The
elders returned to the king and told them that Balaam had refused to curse the
Children of Israel. After getting the refusal, King Balak sent other princes
and of a higher caliber than the first he sent out. King Balak offered to pay
Balaam greatly to accomplish his diabolical plans. Balaam, however, told them
that he could not do what they wanted, but God came to Balaam that night and
told him to go with the princes, but to only speak what He wanted. Numbers
22:21-22 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the
princes of Moab. But 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. (NIV) Why was God angry at Balaam? God knows
the hearts and minds of man. Balaam was out for money. Even though he spoke of
obeying God, Jehovah Nissi knew deep down that his heart full of greed rather
than obedience. Therefore, this angered the Lord. 2 Timothy 6:10 For the
love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (NIV)
As
Balaam headed to King Balak, an angel appeared on the road and the donkey, in
an attempt to dodge the angel, turned off the road the first time, crushed
Balaam’s foot into the wall the second time, and knelt under Balaam the third
time. Each time, Balaam beat the donkey. His blindness by greed did not allow
him to see that it was God who was disrupting the donkey’s course. The Lord
opened the mouth of the donkey so that she could speak. The donkey wanted to
know why she was being beaten because she had never done such things to him
before. Balaam answered back as if this was a sense of normalcy to be speaking
with an animal. God used the donkey to communicate with Balaam as a sign that
He, Jehovah Nissi, was in control. It should have scared him knowing that his
animal was verbally communicating with him. Unfortunately, when the devil has
your mind, you do not think normally and therefore, Balaam was too enticed by
money in order to see straight. Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they
did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over
to a depraved mind, to do what ought not be done. (NIV)
The
donkey actually saved Balaam’s life because the angel of the Lord had a sword
ready to kill him. Jehovah Nissi does not play when He lifts up His Banner of
protection against those who would do His children harm. Balaam would have died
right there on the road, but because of a donkey upholding the standard of God
by traveling off course, Balaam was saved.
Jehovah
Nissi did not allow Balaam to curse the Children of Israel. He was only able to
utter blessings over them. Jehovah Nissi, our Banner, is the standard by which
we must all live our lives. He provides us protection against our enemies and
the satanic forces that are sure to come our way. Whenever we are in trouble
and need protection, all we have to do is cry out to Jehovah Nissi and He will
lift a Banner, a Standard, and an arm of protection against anything that comes
up against us. He is our refuge and in Him, we find
shelter. Psalm 91:9-10 If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the
Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you no disaster will come
near your tent. (NIV)
Glory to God!
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