The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading

Numbers 21-23; Mark 7:14-8:10

Selected Verses

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Numbers 22:20-22

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. Mark 7:15

Reflections

The Lord told Balaam to go with the princes of Moab. When he went, God’s anger was kindled against him. Was God unfair? On the surface it seems like Balaam got punished for obeying.

If this were true, it would make God’s direction contradictory and duplicitous. We who believe in a holy, just, and all-wise God can never admit to such a possibility. What is no doubt the explanation is that God was disciplining Balaam for an attitude of his heart to which we are not privy. As we shall see later in our reading, Balaam wanted to curse Israel and would have done so had the Lord not restrained him. Balaam was eager for the reward and the prestige of assisting the Moabites.

Think about it

Outward behavior can look quite upright and proper, but God looks at our hearts. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were focused on outward appearances of righteousness. Jesus told them that it was not what was outside that defiles them but what comes out of their hearts. He went on to elaborate, in verses 21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Balaam had several of these attitudes in his heart that day when the Lord opened his donkey’s mouth to speak to him. How do I know? Keep reading to learn how he would later find a devious way to trap and hurt the Israelites.

Beware of the sin lurking in your heart. Confess and repent. God could send you a talking donkey to get your attention.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

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