King Balak called upon the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites swarming on his border. Balak hoped to harm Israel, their women and children and fighting men. Balak attempted to manipulate his gods to work their magic.

But no magic materialized. Balaam, with the help of his ass (donkey) and an armed angel, instead blessed the children of Israel and cursed their enemies, Balak chief among them.

Not lacking determination, Balak tried again and again, but seven times Balaam blessed Israel. Like a fresh Pharaoh, Balak refused to see the true God working before his eyes, to the eventual demise of himself and his people.

Although long removed from this story, I see a bit of myself in Balak. I wonder, where might God be working around me that I refuse to see? What sin might be blinding me to a message from God directed to me? Might my desire to hold what I have keep me from seeing the goodness of the Lord right before me?

Lots to consider from this odd story about an angel, an ass and a king.

Numbers 22-25 in week 10 of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Stefano Zocca on Unsplash