Saved By A Donkey Series

We’re starting a new series this morning- Wild & Wacky Totally True Bible Stories. As the title indicates, we’re going to look at some highly unusual events that often get overlooked when sermon planning because they’re so strange. Today’s passage is no exception.

As we prepare to read, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a donkey? Typically, it’s the stereotype that donkeys can be stubborn creatures. Knowing the passage I was preparing to preach today, I had to laugh when Justin told me about his donkey hoof-trimming adventure last weekend.

Apparently, donkeys don’t like getting their hooves trimmed, but it’s a necessary task. Justin told me about how he had to take a strap and pull the donkey as close to a pole as he could before tying the strap, limiting the donkey’s ability to move. He then had to get ahold of one of the donkey’s legs, getting the hoof to where he could trim it. The problem was, the donkey would still struggle- just imagine Justin holding a donkey’s leg trying to trim it’s toenail as the donkey hobbles with Justin in circles around the pole to which it’s strapped. It does NOT sound like a good time.

Even with this stubbornness, we see several instances in scripture where God seems to use donkeys to carry out His will. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, it was a donkey that carried the wood for the sacrifice. Samson used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 Philistines. Saul was searching for his father’s lost donkeys when he came upon Samuel and was anointed to become the first king of Israel. Tradition holds that Mary rode a donkey into Bethlehem just before giving birth to Jesus. And, of course, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem for His triumphal entry a week before He died.

A donkey also plays a key role in our passage today. Let’s read Numbers 22:21-35. Pray.

Allow me to set the stage with some context for this donkey ride. Israel is nearing the end of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for not obeying God. Moses is still their leader and they’re finally heading towards the promised land- Canaan. Israel had requested that the Amorites allow them to pass through their land to reach Canaan, but the Amorites refused. In fact, they rallied their troops to attack Israel. Israel won the fight and inhabited the land of the Amorites, where they are now camped near the plains of Moab (this is the location where Moses will die in the not far off future).

Balak, the son of Zippor is the king of Moab. He and all his people have heard about Israel’s defeat of the Amorites and they’re filled with fear because there are so many Israelites that surely the Moabites will be the next to fall. Now, Balak recognizes the divine nature of Israel’s success, so he hatches a plan to counter that.

Balak calls for Balaam to come and curse the people of Israel. Who is this Balaam? He’s a prophet of God, though not a Jew. I liken him to Melchizedek, another man who wasn’t a Hebrew, but was a priest of God who collected the first tithe from Abraham and is later used as an example pointing to Christ.

Balak is well aware of Balaam’s reputation- those he blesses are blessed, those he curses are cursed. So he sends a group of Moabite and Midianite elders to bring Balaam to curse Israel.

Balaam’s immediate response is a good one. “Let me see what the LORD (God’s name YHWH is indicated by LORD in all caps) says.” God comes to him and tells Balaam not to go because he can’t be cursing the people whom God has blessed.

Balak gets the news and sends an even larger group of princes this time in an effort to convince Balaam to come and curse Israel. Balaam again consults with God and this time receives permission to go. That catches us up to the passage we just read.

The morning after consulting with God, Balaam gets up, saddles his donkey, and went along with the Moabite princes. But verse 22 tells us “But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. But wait a minute, didn’t God give him permission to go? Why would God be angry that Balaam went with the princes?

Peter gives us a clue when he warns about false teachers (read 2 Peter 2:15). Balaam’s trip speaks to his motive- he’s seeking to gain from wrongdoing. God knows Balaam’s heart- his greed, his love for money, putting Balaam on a dangerous path. How can we tell?