The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Adversary” it comes from the Hebrew Word “satan” which means “adversary, accuser.”
A foreign king hires a prophet to curse Israel, but even Balaam’s own donkey sees more than he does. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Numbers 22.
Balak, king of Moab, terrified by Israel’s size and recent military victories, sends messengers to hire Balaam, a prophet known for his effective blessings and curses, to curse Israel on his behalf. God tells Balaam plainly not to go with them or curse this people, “for they are blessed.” When Balak sends even more distinguished messengers with a greater reward, God permits Balaam to go but instructs him to speak only what God tells him.
As Balaam travels on his donkey, “the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary,” “satan” in Hebrew, meaning adversary, though only visible to the donkey, who turns aside repeatedly to avoid the angel, provoking Balaam to strike her in frustration each time. Finally, God opens the donkey’s mouth, and she speaks directly to Balaam, asking why he has struck her, since she has always served him faithfully.
God then opens Balaam’s own eyes, and he sees the angel standing with a drawn sword, who tells him that the donkey actually saved his life, since the angel would have killed him otherwise. Balaam confesses his sin and offers to turn back, but the angel tells him to continue with the men, speaking only the word God gives him. Balak meets Balaam at the border, eager for a curse, but Balaam warns him plainly that he can only speak what God puts in his mouth.
It is a striking irony that Balaam, a professional prophet hired specifically to discern and speak spiritual truth, was completely blind to the angel standing directly in his path, while his own donkey saw it clearly. Sometimes the people we assume are most spiritually perceptive are the very ones most in danger of missing what’s right in front of them.
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