BALAAM AND HIS DONKEY

 *16/09/2020*


MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE


THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD*


TOPIC: *ANGELS MINISTERED TO MANY PEOPLE*


SUB-TOPIC: *BALAAM AND HIS DONKEY*


Text: Numbers 22:22-35


*God's anger was aroused* against Balaam, apparently because Balaam intended to do what Balak had hired him to do, to curse Israel. God could not have been angry at his going, for He had given Balaam permission (Numbers 22:20). But He had also given Balaam orders to speak "only the word which I speak to you" (Numbers 22:20). Apparently, Balaam planned to say whatever brought the highest amount of money.

*The Angel of the LORD* refers to the presence of God (Genesis 22:11,15). God was *an adversary* to Balaam.

*The donkey saw the Angel of the LORD:* Balaam was supposed to have been able to communicate with the gods through animals. However, in this situation, the "seer" was blind to the presence of the true God. It was the animal who was the seer, perceiving the true will of God in the Angel that blocked the path.

*Then the LORD opened Balsam's eyes:* The spiritually blind seer finally saw the majesty of the One whom the donkey saw all along. Now the pagan prophet was brought to his knees. His *sin* was the sin of willfulness: He had wanted to curse those whom God had blessed. In the strongest manner, the Angel of the Lord instructed Balaam to speak only what God spoke to him.


*Copyright 2020. The Ecumenican Church Nigeria*

Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch*

WhatsApp: *+2348052366039*

*www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com*

*#TEC#*

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