Chapter 22 Balaam and the Donkey
Contents
Chapter 22 Balaam and the donkey
1. Introduction
- Chapters 22 through 36 record the events that occurred after arriving in the land of Moab. As the Israelites approached his land, Balak, king of Moab, was frightened and decided that he could not defeat Israel by force, so he invited Balaam, who was known as the best shaman at the time, to curse Israel.
2. Lesson
1) Verse 4 He said to the elders of Midian, “Now this crowd will devour everything that surrounds us, as oxen graze in the fields.” At that time Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab.
- The reason Balak king of Moab was afraid of the passage of Israel was purely for economic reasons. So, they struggled to defeat them so that they could not pass through their land.
- If you are a Christian, you must not be narrow-minded. The name of God is insulted and the church is ridiculed in the world because of the narrow-minded believers who do not give up the old custom not to tolerate any damage to themselves. It must be transformed into a life of giving. (Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them)
- If Korea is perceived to be a sluggish country on the world stage, other countries will turn their backs on it and will not be able to host any international competitions in the future. Likewise, Christians must live with big hands. Be the one who wins the hearts of the world. Don't be afraid to give to others. Treat guests well. Serve with big hands and serve with big hands.
2) Verses 18-19/ 22:18 Balaam answered Balak's servants, saying, "Even if Balak fills the house with silver and gold and gives it to me, I will not be able to do more or less than the word of the LORD my God, because I have not obeyed the word of the LORD." 22:19 Now then, you too, stay here tonight, and I will see what the LORD will say to me.
- To their proposal, Balaam asked God, and God resolutely answered No! So I decided to say No! to them (verse 13). The problem was that when they came back and demanded a larger amount and condition, his will was shaken like a reed, and he declared with his lips that he had no interest in bribes, but then he did a crazy thing to ask God again (2 Peter 2:16).
- Are you standing firmly on the first word of God? Or are you out? have to check God's first word was not to be with them. But in the end, it shows Balaam with them. The foundations of David's faith are summarized in Psalm 1. The first is not to be with the wicked, and the second is to stand firm in the word of God. My faith must be firmly established on these two principles.
3) Verse 23: When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing on the road with a sword in his hand, he left the road and went into the field. Balaam whipped the donkey to turn it back on the road.
- In verse 20, God answered Balaam's prayer of greed and told him to go. On the way, he experiences a strange thing. Passing through a narrow road, a donkey is standing still. After three lashes, isn't the donkey yelling at itself while talking? An angel blocked the way. God was trying to stop him from going down the path of destruction. At this point, he had to repent and turn around, but he had no intention of doing so. Let's read verse 34 (Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned; I did not know that you were standing in the way to stop me. If you are not pleased with this, I will return)."
- He is completely blinded by greed and cannot see his sins. Look at the madness of Balaam, who constantly hides his corrupt heart from God and shows that he will do this or that if the Lord wills. I should have returned home immediately. The Bible shows the corruption of Balaam, who thoroughly covered his sins with these pretentious religious practices. We must stand firm in the word of God. Without the foundation of these words, the person's faith personality is only held by the old man. Although he looks like a believer on the outside, his life is no different from that of a person who has not been born again. Is my faith standing firm in the Word? Are you living the word? Let us not forget the lesson of Balaam. Don't be led by greed. Do not stand in the vain conviction that you have received God's answer and then follow the path of failure.