Say what?

The story of Balaam in Numbers 22-25 is an amazingly powerful account of God's "coming down" and interacting within His people and His creation. There is much more there than I could offer any justice to with a quick summary in this blog....You'll have to read it for yourself!!

One part that struck me today, is a fantastic little account of Balaam's journey, in which he was struggling with hearing direction from the LORD. He is headed down a path that does not please the LORD, to say the least. So the LORD sends an Angel - to actually, physically, block his way.

Balaam just doesn't get it.

He beats his donkey and pushes forward - a couple of times - until the Angel of the LORD (and the donkey, who is seeing things much clearer than Balaam) puts him into a position that he cannot take one more step. At this point the LORD's presence is so powerful that the donkey himself speaks up.

(Yes, you heard me right, the donkey speaks. I suppose you thought Disney had an original idea with Shrek, but Disney has NEVER had an original idea!)

Now, it's pretty easy to get sidetracked by talking donkeys and Angels...it takes my mind off of how much I resemble Balaam.

Always pushing forward with my own way. Forcing my own plans through. Determined that I see the whole picture and am on the right track. Great strategies, even Greater intentions...

How amazing, merciful and loving is our God, who comes close and sends Angels with blazing swords, sets crushing obstacles in our paths, and opens the mouth of donkeys, for our good and His Glory.

If only I would have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Numbers 22:31,32
Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face down.

The Angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten hyour donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me..."

Waiting

I like answers.
I want to know why.
I want to know how.
I want to know when.
I want the plan.
How are we going to get there from here? What's the tentative time line?
I'll be fine as long as we've got a game plan.

The Israelites were in the desert for over two years working on the LORD's Tabernacle.

That's a tent you know.

It was a pretty intricate endeavor - hammering out all the architecture, rituals, sacrifices, laws and feasts - Getting this motley crew of fugitive's feet set in a direction, where they could even begin to resemble a people set apart by God, was quite the task.

But still, a tent.

And once it was ready, they waited on the LORD to move.

You know what the best part of the story is? Even when they moved...they were still just wandering in the wilderness for another 38 years or so...

Numbers 9:15-23
On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it...Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped...Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted they would set out. At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.