The Donkey sees and You Say…

Donkeys always get my attention.  There’s something about them that’s comical and sweet.  I haven’t actually owned one, but I enjoy watching reels about donkeys.  I have a friend that volunteers at an honest-to-goodness donkey rescue organization and I love hearing those stories about the lost and marginalized donkeys and their road to recovery.

I’m not sure why I like them so much, but I think it’s because they seem simple to me.  Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about and they are royal pain the you-know-what but they seem happy and content just being a donkey.  They do Donkey things and that makes me smile.

There’s an amazing story in the Bible (well, there are many!) that has a donkey as a pretty important part of the message.  I read it again last week and it’s a timely message.  If there were Donkey rescues 3000 years ago this particular donkey would be a guest.

You can find the story in Numbers 22.  There was a rather slick prophet named Balaam that offered his services for cash.  At the time the Moabites were tired of the Israelites and wanted to pay Balaam to come on over and offer up a curse for Israel.  Not one to turn down a monetary offer he set off to meet with the king on, you guessed it, his trusty donkey.

The donkey and Balaam weren’t strangers.  They have done this run, walk, plod before and there was never a problem.  But on this day the donkey had vision that Balaam didn’t have.  As they walked the donkey saw an angel of the Lord.  The donkey stopped.  The donkey swerved.  And even after repeatedly getting whipped it was determined to get Balaam to see this angel of the Lord.  As a last resort the donkey bows on its donkey knees and Balaam just about goes crazy.

After all the beatings the donkey had enough.  Loud and clear the donkey speaks to Balaam and questions why he is getting beat for being a loyal friend and compatriot.  Only after a talking-donkey did Balaam see the angel of the Lord, who was there to stop him with a sword.  The donkey saved Balaam’s life by submitting to God rather than being whipped into confrontation.  The angel confirmed this and even said that they would have spared the donkey but not Balaam had they kept going towards Moab with the intent to curse the Israelites.

The angel paused the travels of Balaam and his donkey long enough to get his attention to how fragile life can be and the importance of choice words at the correct time and place.  The ONLY thing to come from his lips in front of that king were to be FROM GOD.  Only God’s words were to be spoken.  Not Balaam’s words.  Not words that would get him a fat paycheck.  Not his emotions or opinions.  God would place words on his tongue if he waited and sought them.  The words would be a blessing to Israel and not a curse.  He would give the exact opposite voice that the Moabites were willing to pay for and expected.

The story goes on and Balaam does just that.  He blesses Israel rather than drop a curse and pick up a paycheck.  The king is left furious and fuming at each blessing Balaam produces.  All because he sat on his attentive donkey and recognized the gift of life from an Angel and did what God told Him to do.  God had his attention and heart.

Later on, Balaam can’t help himself and casts Gods words aside to seek his own pleasure and the other nation’s accolades.  He led the Israelites way off course with their relationship with God.  It’s a stark contrast to his first trip of walking and working with God through his mouth. Balaam lost his way, he didn’t seek God’s words, and eventually was killed in a battle by the Israelites.   I hope the donkey found a rescue organization and lived his best life with a new owner.

Balaam isn’t a guy that I’d call a hero, but his story is one to remember.   Can we get out of our own way and plans before it’s too late?  Can we see God in the little things and interactions of a day?   Can we recognize the grace on offer in Jesus and his invitation to eternal life?  That should certainly change our course or at least how we go about our business!  Can we go forward and speak His name and His Word to a world that might not want to hear it?  Can we be bold enough to go and rely on God to put the words and tone to our tongues for others to hear?   Can we bless others over and over when there’s good money to be made or accolades to hear for tearing them down?

We may not be riding around on donkeys these days but I’m glad Balaam had an observant one under his behind long ago.  Sitting on your, well, donkey and allowing God to show you where to go, what to do, and yes, put the exact words in your mouth is the mission.  To bless and not to curse, even when it’s difficult to do so. 

Choose your words, and your donkey, wisely!