Mr. Ed's Great- Great- Great..... Cousin

Here is a curious tale: a talking donkey and a man who simply couldn't hear. Balaam was a prophet hired to curse the tribes of Israel. The story's setting begins as he is on his way to do just that when he encounters the supernatural.  First Numbers 22:24,describes the scene as a"Narrow path between two vineyards between with walls on both sides." Then, in verse 26, we find that there is no room to turn, either to the right or left" on the path that Balaam is taking.

 Clearly, God is hemming him in, but Balaam does not sense or see it.  The donkey, a female donkey at that, first takes Balaam out of danger's path by moving off the road. It's her actions that save his life. Yet, three times Balaam beats the donkey.

Despite the fact tht donkey had saved his life and served him faithfully, he is too stubborn to recognize that God has opened the donkey's mouth to help him realize his folly. But even more amazing is that he does not recgonize how self-centetered and how blind he really is, so engrossed in his anger, the supernatural escapes his appreciation. How like me at times- so engrossed in only what interests me at the moment that I fail to recognize God's supernatural hand in the midst of my daily realities. The female donkey says, haven't I served  you all these many years, why would you think I would go off the road and disobey you? The third time she justs sits down in the road; the action seems to express this thought: if you, Balaam are intent on being destroyed, you are going to have to be destroyed by yourself. If you want to be destroyed, you will do it by yourself."
In fact, God's angel said, "I would rather have killed you and spared the donkey."
How could Balaam not recognize the hand of God? Balaam is stuck, mentally and spiritually. God opened his spiritual eyes and ears. Many people have carried burden and have become embittered  because they don't believe that God has seen their suffering. If God cares about a donkey, He cares about us. He will not leave us alone, and it may take awhile, but He will vindicate us like He did the donkey. Mulling these thoughts over, MJ