Shrek of the Bible
In Numbers 22 we learn of a talking Donkey that pre-dates the Donkey from the now famous movie Shrek.
It seems Hollywood still borrows from the bible when it’s looking for a great story to tell.
In the movie version we learn that the King wants to get rid of all the fairytale creatures in his kingdom.
In the biblical story we learn that King Balak of Moab wants to get rid of all the Israelites. He seems to know what is about to happen. God is making a huge path for Israel as they continue their long escape from Egypt through the desert toward the Promised Land.
Verse 4: The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."
Now this illustrates for us how Gods people are received when their lives intersect the lives of unbelievers. The unbelievers can either invite us in, politely ask us to go around them or as in this case they can reject us and even try to cause spiritual harm to fall upon us.
The King of Moab chose to try to harm them with a curse. He chose to do spiritual battle with Gods chosen people. In fact he was willing to pay big money to a magician/sorcerer named Balaam to cast a curse upon them not once but seven times he would try.
The God we worship is seen as an offence to the unbelieving world. They know His great and mighty deeds and they know His chosen people yet they continue to turn away from Him and deny His sovereignty.
But some people are in the battle not for the principle but for the profit. Balaam was paid very, very well by the King to show up and utter curses on the Israelites. He did this even though he knew it displeased the Living God of Israel.
Maybe you have encountered people bent on making your life miserable. These people dislike you not for who you are, but for what you believe. Jesus Christ is not loved by everyone even though He does indeed love everyone.
God is taking you and me on a journey to a Promised Land. For us that Promised Land is heaven. The land of Israel has already been given to His Chosen People. We the church are to continue our journey to our place of rest which is heaven.
Satan does not want you and me to get there. Satan uses his influence and his powers in an effort to discourage you as you make your way. This is a very real spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Many times in life you may encounter a road block. You may find your way hard and it may seem that there is no end to the suffering. I’m sure many of those who first left Egypt to follow Moses into the desert thought that way.
But God was making them ready as a people. God was purifying them through the struggles. God was teaching them how to fight their enemies.
I do not know if you are in a fight today. I do not know what your personal challenges in life are but you can be sure that God is with you through every step of the way.
You may encounter people who poses great authority and who may seem to rule over you but know that their power is fragile and weak. If they oppose you because of your walk and your faith they will be doing battle with the Spirit of the Living God.
No amount of money can change the odds, no magic or dark arts can remove the blessing of God that is on you. Even nature itself knows it is foolish to oppose the plans of the living God. Just ask a donkey.
Balaam was more stubborn than the donkey he was riding. He was more interested in receiving wealth from men then blessings from God. There are people out there like that.
They would in fact sell their soul to enjoy the pleasures of this world rather than the blessings of our Heavenly Father.
I do not know your situation, I do not know if you are under fire or persecution at this time. Maybe it’s a boss at work or a bank manager or a lawyer or some other person of authority but know that they can not escape the ultimate authority, The Living God.
Has God been trying to get your attention? Have you been forcing your way down the wrong road? Are you unable to see that God wants you to turn around and re-think your attitude towards Him? Will it take a talking donkey for you to listen to Gods voice?
Some people try to play both sides they pretend to honor God but really are sold out to the world. We are going to hear a lot of promises over the next few weeks. Those promises will come from politicians who will tell you what you want to hear and not what you need to hear.
They will be like Balaam selling themselves for the power brokers of our world. There will be a few that will speak the truth and you must listen closely to hear it. If they speak about God being the source of all blessings than we can believe them. But if they claim they are the ones who provide our blessings be warned that they like Balaam may have been paid off. Maybe what we need is a politician who will talk like a donkey instead of act like one.
Let us trust God to bless us and not look to men to bless us.
