15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. ~ 2 Peter 2:15-16
Balaam was a prophet of God who was enticed by King Balak to curse the people of Israel. Balaam, however, refused, saying he could only bless the people of Israel because God blessed them. But the money had his heart desiring to do as the king requested. So, God told him to go on then to Balak, but on the way, the Angel of the LORD stood in his path. Balaam’s desire for the money had blinded his spiritual eyes, and he could not see the Angel of the LORD before him.
Matter-a-fact, Balaam even tried to go straight through the angel of the LORD but his donkey refused to go. So, what does Balaam do? He strikes his donkey. So, the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and the donkey spoke, “Why have you struck me these three times?” Balaam, of course, tells the donkey she (the donkey) is in the wrong, and he wishes he had a sword to kill him with. The donkey asks, “Am I not your donkey? Is it my habit to treat you like this?” Balaam responds with no. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes to see what fate stood before him.
Though Balaam was a prophet of God who heard directly from God Himself, his eyes were shut to the LORD when He appeared before him to bring judgment for his ungodly desires that were taking hold of him. Even though we may be in high positions of authority or are spiritually in a high place hearing directly from God, that does not mean the things of this world cannot lead us astray. That doesn’t mean our hearts cannot be corrupted, and we fall into a spiritual slumber, no longer seeing our own judgment that’s standing before us, so we lash out at the one who is trying to warn us.
This is one of the lessons of Balaam, you are never too big to fall. You may hear from God, but God may also be turning you over to your sinful desires if you allow them to consume you. Therefore, surround yourself with people like Balaam’s donkey who will try its best to maneuver you out of the way of judgment even when you yourself don’t see it.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Pray For Open Eyes.