DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 9 July 2024
TOPIC: Rebuke From Unexpected Source
TEXT: Numbers 22:21-30 (KJV)
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
KEY VERSE
“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me…”
Numbers 22:28,29
DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 9 July 2024 MESSAGE
The Bible records a plethora of inconceivable, but true accounts. The story of a burning bush, the gentle breeze and that of a talking donkey are proofs of the miraculous mouthpieces God can choose to use. They show God’s omnipotence, control over all His creatures and His ability to use them to serve His purpose at any time.
In the story of Balaam, we find a man who professed obedience to the Lord, but struggled with a greedy heart. When the Israelites encamped in the plains of Moab, Balak sent for Balaam to curse them. Balaam, at first, was prohibited by God from going. The king again sent for him and he again refused. He later yielded to the temptations of riches and honour Balak promised him. Expectedly, God’s anger was kindled at Balaam’s covetousness and determined self-will. The angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him with a drawn sword. God had to speak to him through a donkey to convict him of how his desire for money was blinding and leading him to his destruction.
READ DCLM Daily Manna 8 July 2024 – Watch Your Tongue!
God always speak to warn people of the danger of the wrong decisions and steps they are taking. He can choose to use anything and any situation to sound His warning to people. He still warns us using our consciences and even the examples of evil and judgment of evildoers to caution us.
God warns us because He loves us. But when we fail to take heed to His warnings and decide to stubbornly pursue our self-will and inordinate ambitions, then He will leave us to ourselves to face the consequences of our actions. Balaam died eventually with the Moabites (Numbers 31:8) as a result of his affinity with the enemies of God. Let us be wise not to ignore the warnings the Lord is giving to us; no matter the source.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Covetousness and disobedience to God leads to self-destruction.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Genesis 26-28
