Numbers 22 and 23 tells the beginning of the story of Balak, the king of Moab and Balaam, a priest who believes in God. Balak has seen that Israel is a large and powerful nation. He wants protection from them and the ability to defeat them. So Balak sends for Balaam to receive a blessing in order to defeat the Israelites.

Balaam, even though he is not an Israelite, he believes in YHWH. God comes to him in dreams and gives him direction. The first time Balak asks for Balaam, God tells him not to go. Balak asks again for Balaam to come, promising him great honor. God allows him to go but tells him to say what God tells him to say.

Balaam takes his donkey and goes with the officials of Moab. While on the journey an angel of the Lord stands in the path the donkey is traveling. Only the donkey can see the angel and veers away. Three times this happens and each time the donkey changes direction Balaam strikes it. Finally, God has the donkey speak to Balaam to tell him that he is faithful. God opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel of the Lord. The angel repeats God’s message to say what God tells him to say.

Balak asks Balaam for a blessing. Balaam states that he can only say what God wants him to say. Balaam tells Balak to offer sacrifices and he will ask God what he should do. God gives Balaam a blessing, but for Israel and not Moab. Balak thinks that if he goes to another place the blessing will change so he takes Balaam to a different place. He offers a sacrifice again, but God continues to bless the people of Israel. The chapter ends with Balak trying a third time. Stay tuned to see what God does next.

It is interesting to see that God works through people who are not part of the chosen people of Israel. They have faith as great as Moses. It is also interesting that sometimes we don’t want to hear when God says no. We may try to get the same thing in different ways, but still the answer is no. Perhaps we should listen to what God is saying.

Psalm 30 speaks of God’s faithfulness in times of trouble and how God turns our struggles, our mourning into joy.

God brings blessings and prosperity but we need to remember that God is also there when we struggle. The times of struggle will pass so don’t become disheartened.