Arguing with a Donkey

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way. . . . - Numbers 22:31

Balaam, essentially a prophet for hire, was on his way to do something that was against the will of God.

As he was riding his donkey to do what God had told him not to do, an angel of the Lord, holding a sword, intervened. Balaam didn't see the angel, but his donkey did, and she refused to go past the angel.

Here is an amazing thing: the Lord opened the donkey's mouth so she could speak. But what is more amazing to me is that Balaam responded and began arguing with the animal! I think the donkey was winning the argument, by the way.

Meanwhile, the angel was still standing there, blocking Balaam's path. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and what did he see but an angel of the Lord, standing in the road with sword drawn. Balaam fell flat on his face. Now he was ready to listen. Now he was willing to pay attention to the leading of the Lord.

We don't often realize it, and we don't have our eyes opened to see them, but angels of the Lord are around us to guide us, protect us, and to block our path when we are trying to go against the will of God.

We shouldn't argue when we should be paying attention to our Lord.