Haven't you heard that. Bad things come in threes. And it seems like that is how it plays out. Well, I just read the story of Balaam and his talking donkey. Three shows up there!
Balaam is called upon to put a curse on the Israelites. God tells him no, the Israelites are my chosen people. Leave them alone (paraphrased). But after a second group comes to beg for Balaam's help, God permits him to go. However, Balaam can only say what God permits him to say.
Balaam has God's permission to travel back to the land of Moab with the princes of Balak (the guy that needs help conquering the Israelites). So he is not anticipating any problems with his trip. But, for some unknown reason, Balaam's donkey veers off the road, into a field. Naturally, Balaam does what any donkey-rider would do. He beats her into submission and goes on his way.
Soon, the path they are traveling comes to a very narrow spot. Balaam's donkey presses close to the wall of the passage and crushes Balaam's foot. This makes for an angry rider! He beats her again.
A third time, the donkey behaves in an unacceptable manner (she just lies down and refuses to move). Balaam has just about had it! He beats her again and then....he gets the shock of his life. His donkey talks back to him. She asks,"What have I done to make you beat me three times? Am I not your donkey? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" (Numbers 22:30) And then, God opens Balaam's eyes to see the danger that the donkey has saved him from. An angel of the Lord was in the path, prepared to kill Balaam.
The angel had a message for Balaam. Really a repeat of what God had already told him. "Speak only what I tell you." Drastic measures to get the message heard. Aren't you glad that God will go to such measures to get our attention? I am, because I know that I'm not a good listener. I'm not proud of that fact. I want to be a better listener and move when God puts something on my heart.
But in the event that God ever uses Sophie (my puppy) to get a message to me, you'll be the first to know!!
