6th.: Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel of the Lord.
After the donkey fell down, and Balaam had words with the donkey (see yesterday)
The angel of the Lord reproved Balaam,
‘Wherefore have you smitten thine donkey these three times?
Behold I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse unto me.
And the donkey saw me, and turned from me these three times.
Unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.’” (Num. 22:32-33).
Balaam responded,
“I have sinned, for I knew not that thou stood in the way against me.
Now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” (Num. 22:34).
Balaam thought that not seeing the angel was this sin.
He did not see that his desire for human rewards drove his sin.
We must examine ourselves - by telling our thoughts to the Lord,
to see if our heart is deceiving us, i.e. we are lying to ourselves.
Nevertheless, Balaam’s offer to return home was a good step toward obedience.
As it was, the angel of the Lord told Balaam to go to Balak, but not to say anything,
except for what the Lord told him.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)