but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
II Peter 2:16
Peter recalls the story in Numbers 22, when Balaam was corrected by the Lord. Balaam was a prophet of God, but he allowed the temptation of selfish gain to cloud his judgment. He was enticed by King Balak to curse the children of Israel. Even though Balaam knew he shouldn’t do it, he continued to seek his own desires.
God intervened in a mysterious way and used a talking donkey to confront Balaam and redirect his path. The donkey spoke with human words to Balaam and prevented him from further disaster.
God will sometimes use unconventional means to confront our foolishness. Balaam’s story can teach us some valuable lessons:
- We can easily be enticed by the empty promises of this world, such as the pursuit of material possessions, power, or popularity. It is crucial to guard our hearts against worldly desires.
- When we compromise our faith, we put ourselves in a position of being susceptible to the schemes of the devil. It is essential to stay in the Word of God and resist the temptations that seek to lead us astray.
- God is always present in our life and will redirect us if we get off course. His discipline is an act of love and mercy, gently guiding us back into His will and way.
- True obedience requires us to surrender our own desires and commit to following God’s commands.
Stand firm in your faith and remain obedient to God’s calling. When you find yourself entangled in the snares of the devil, recognize your error and heed God’s correction.
Pray
Lord, help me to resist the temptations of this world. Give me discernment to recognize selfish desires and the strength to be obedient to Your Word. When I stray away from Your will, please redirect me back on course. In Jesus’ name, amen.
