Asking Again

"Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former. They came to Balaam and said to him, 'Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, "Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me; for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me."' Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God. Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me.' God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 'If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.' So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him." -Numbers 22.15-22

This is where Balaam's story begins to turn. He has sought God and has been told not to go with these men or to curse the nation of Israel. They return in greater numbers, and with more authority and offer more in return for his services. He already has his answer from God and should have said no as soon as they asked. But for some reason he says. "Let me check with God again, maybe He'll change His mind." He already knows what he should do, but maybe the wealth has caught his eye. Maybe he's simply tired of saying no. But whatever the reason he asks God again.

This time God tells him to God, but that he is only to do what God says. In the morning he gets up and heads out, but God is angry and sends an angel to kill him. What follows is the story of a donkey saving a man's life and then talking to tell him what is going on, but the point here is that Balaam knew what he was supposed to do, but goes to see if God decides to do something else.

Men, how often do we do this? When God gives us an answer that we don't like, do we accept it, or do we begin to pester Him hoping He'll change His mind? Do we let other things grab our attention and cause us to desire it over doing what God has said? When God has made His will clear do we ask again hoping for a different answer?

It's important to note that God allowed Balaam to go, but that there were consequences for him to face. Had his donkey not seen the angel Balaam would have been struck down and killed. When God makes His will clear may we let nothing deter us from following it. May we never allow anything to grab our attention and pull our focus away from following God.

When God makes it clear, let's not ask again.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

When God Says No

"He said to them, 'Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.' And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. Then God came to Balaam and said, 'Who are these men with you?' Balaam said to God, 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, "Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out."' God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.' So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, 'Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.'" Numbers 22.8-13

The story of Balaam shows us the importances of doing what God says. Men come to Balaam from the king of Moab, asking Balaam to come and curse Israel so that they may be defeated in battle. Balaam tells them that he must see what God says, and in the morning he tells them that he can not come because God has refused him to go.

At this point Balaam is fine. God gave Him an answer and he stuck with it. He was offered riches and he turned it down to be obedient to God. God said not to go, so Balaam said no. If only the story ended here.

Men, when God says no what do you do? Do you accept it and move on? Or do you turn into a bratty five year old and begin to ask, plead, and beg for Him to change His mind and give you what you want? Do you submit to His wisdom and reasoning even though you may not understand it? Or do you maintain that you know best and try to change His mind? One way brings us his favor, and as we'll see, the other makes Him our adversary.

May we always accept God's answer to prayer, even when it isn't the answer we hope for. When God says no, let us drop it and move on.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor