February 22nd

February 22nd -- Numbers 22:5-38 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:5-38&version=NLT)

This passage is talking about a guy named Baalam... who I assume came into play before this section.... so I guess background knowledge isn't important, though.

What seems to be going on is that the Israelites have showed up near Moab, and the King has called in Baalam to curse them because they are too powerful for him right now, but if they are cursed he can overpower them and drive them out. Balak's (the King's) messengers go out to find Baalam with money to pay him for the curse. Balaam told them to stay overnight when they found him, saying that in the morning he will tell them what the Lord has told him to say.

That night, God comes to Balaam and asks who the men are. Balaam explains they are here to bring him to drive out those people. God says not to, for those people are blessed. So in the morning, Baalam sends the officials back, saying God said he could not go.

When the messengers/officials get back to the king, instead of giving up, he sends more back. The men repeat the order to come, and Balaam tells them to stay the night and see if God has anything to say. God tells him to go, but only obey whatever commands God gives him.
But the next morning, he goes ahead and saddles up and leaves without God's say-so. God becomes mad and sends an angel to stand on the road. He does not let the people see it, only Balaam's donket. The donkey runs off. Balaam catches it, though, beats it, and brings it back to the road. This happens again, but Balaam again beats the donkey to pass. Finally the angel finds a spot they cannot pass, and the donkey simply lays down under Balaam, and he beats it to get up.

God then lets the donkey speak, who asks Balaam why he deserved to be beaten three times. Balaam  says he donkey made him look like a fool but the donkey points out he never has done that before. Balaam admits he hasn't, and then the Lord lets Balaam see the angel in the way. Then the angel asks why he beat the donkey, because he explains that three times God was trying to stop him, and three times Balaam tried to go ahead anyways. Balaam confesses that he has sinned, but promises to do as told from then on. He is told to carry on, so he does. The deal is, though, that he may only say what God wants him to, which he explains upon arriving. The next morning, Balaam is brought up to Bamoth-baal, where he can look over the people of Israel.

I think the main thing that stood out to me from this, is that God does send us signs. When we're being disobedient, he doesn't just leave us to walk into trouble and hurt for it. He sends us little signals and warnings to tell us we're getting into trouble. It may not be hugely clear, but you will notice them if you are paying attention. So we have to be on guard, at all times, when trying to follow God's path, to see if we are on the right track or finding little warning signs.

Well, I think that will be all.
God bless!