Day 12: Numbers 16-25

Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." - Numbers 22:28-29

So this story is in today's reading. Balaam's Donkey. One of only two times in the Bible that an animal talks.

Now, everytime that I have heard this story in my life, I hear about Balaam and how he is impatient and stubborn and that he is basically an ungodly person.

But as I read the story, this isn't Balaam at all. First off, he is not a Jew, but he seems to be a follower of God.

Balak comes and offers him a ton of money to curse the Israelites, but Balaam follows God and blesses them three times.

The only reason that Balaam is even having this conversation is because God told him to go see Balak, even though Balaam tells Balak's princes that he won't go against God.

I find it very interesting that when we teach this story we tend to not read the context and understand that Balaam (who is a "soceror") never once disobeys God and in fact follows God (even without being a Jew).

Then, as the story ends, Balaam blesses the Hebrews three times. And by doing so, Balaam turns down more money than he could ever imagine. In fact, as soon as Balaam sees the angel, he falls facedown and worships God.

I don't know why we focus so much on the talking donkey story. Sure, it's a fun story to tell and to teach about perspective and stubborness... but aren't we really just snickering at the KJV words?

I think we miss the whole point of the story. The point of the story is that God can and will use anything to accomplish His will.

Meanwhile (back at the ranch), the Israelites (who are being blessed) are completing disobeying God and bringing even more curses and plagues on themselves.

This translates well into the church. So often we are so consumed with our church politics and church battles, that the world is out there making a difference and we are not involved.

Did you know that to cure world hunger it would cost about 80 billion dollars per year? Did you also know that churches (all denominations) receive about 3% of their memberships tithes?

And that fact that will surprise/scare you the most... that other 7% (in America) is about 156 billion dollars each year?*

That's right... if we Christians followed God's command to give 10%, we could cure world hunger twice over.

BUT... as Christians (not unlike the Israelites) are so wrapped up in our own lives that we fail to follow God and we can't make that difference.

Sorry enough soapbox for one night... reading Numbers 26-36 tomorrow

*stats found at http://www.emptytomb.org/