Consciously Conscious

The Donkey mustn’t speak before you see

Somehow, everyone knows what they're doing. Either good or bad everyone has a conscience, a gut feeling, an intuition that signals to them that a thing is right or wrong.

When you spend two hours scrolling on social media, it's not that you don't know it's detrimental to your soul (especially when it is not purposeful), it is that you are aware and have chosen to ignore it.

In the register of God, there is a specific kind of consciousness of His person, His Word and His Spirit that has to become a part of your mould such that you need no restraining order before you can decide whether a thing is right or wrong to do.

See

When Balaam the prophet was asked by Balak King of the Moabites to come and curse the Israelites in Numbers 22:6, he already knew that the people were a blessed people and could not be cursed!

He knew!

But when the king's men were sent to him, he said to them that he must enquire of what God is saying concerning the matter, God in His mercifulness already gives him the first warning in Num 22:12.

“And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, you'd agree with me that it would have been wisdom for Balaam to insist on what God had earlier said when the King sent more honourable men to him (with some fleshy appealing material offers) the second time.

I somewhat believe that God already saw the heart of Balaam and could see the enticement that was already lurking. I think that Balaam had begun to look at “The good side” but didn't confess it by mouth

See what Numbers 22:17 says

“for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’ ””

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As if to say God should change His mind and take back His Word, Balaam tells the people to even tarry the night in his place while he goes back to enquire of God.

Now, there's something that amazes me….

When He enquired of God the second time, God permitted him to go.

I wonder why

But God’s ways are not our ways

There is the outright will of God and there is His permissive

Hmm

He goes to God for the second time and God responds in verse 20

“And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In the morning, Balaam arises and takes off with the men to meet Balak but something happens on the way

See

When you have become caught up with your own self even when God is speaking you won't hear

Even when God is showing you a red light, you will see a green

You cannot tell yourself the answer you want to hear and then manipulate God into agreeing with you.

Now this is the interesting part of the story

God is vexed that Balaam goes with the men and takes a stand in his way as an adversary against him, but guess what? Balaam can't see or sense nothing

I think what’s really disturbing is that his donkey (an animal) could see

“Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Balaam’s donkey makes three attempts to elude the angel standing with the drawn sword resulting in crushing Balaam’s foot against the wall, but Balaam keeps striking her (her as in the Donkey).

It is not until the pain becomes unbearable that the Lord opens the mouth of the Donkey to speak!

“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?””

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Somehow I was expecting Balaam to show surprise that his Donkey was speaking…. But he didn't sha.

Instead, he was worried about the embarrassment his donkey had caused him.

Back to context

Just like Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17, God has to open the eyes of Balaam to see the Angel before him

To me, it appears as though the Donkey cried out for him to see what she was seeing.

“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It is not until Balaam sees the Angel that he seemingly comes to his senses and insists on his earlier conviction not to curse the people as God had instructed.

Hmmm

My God. So I'm thinking

What is to be learnt from the story of Balaam?

• You may deceive men and even yourself but God sees the heart. I came across a scriptural reference that speaks of the true heart of Balaam.

“Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness; [Num 22:5, 7] but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. [Num 22:21-31]”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

• God doesn't go back on His Words. It is only when we sin that an altercation is caused resulting In a strain in our relationship with Him. If there is anything that naturally alters God’s plan for man, it is sin.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save, Nor His ear so impaired That it cannot hear. But your wickedness has separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

• God does not desire that you perish. He is merciful enough to have you come to the knowledge of the Truth. He is ever ready to receive us.

What is important to God is an acknowledgement of our wrongs and immediate repentance. And He is ready to receive us once more.

God is plenteous in Mercy!

But even at that

The believer must choose to constantly to war against his carnality daily. Daily

The flesh must die to bid the yieldings of the spirit. Walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Gal 5:16.

I pray that as you read these words the Lord imprints on your heart what He will have you learn in Jesus name.

A quick prayer to wrap up today's piece

Father, we thank you for your Word that gives light! We thank you for opening our eyes to see what your Word is saying, for enabling our hearts the capacity to receive and understand, and for giving us the Holy Spirit, Lord we say thank you.

Please, Lord, let these words take root in our hearts. And instill in us a consciousness that will avail us in the last day for in your name do we pray!

Amen!!

Glorayyyyyyy

If you want to read about the story of Balaam, the Book of Numbers is your guide. From Chapter 22 up to Chapter 31.

Thank you for reading till the end

Accept my gratitude

Till next week

I remain

TFA💜