Meow!

My CatOne day during a visit, my sister became extremely tickled by my cat. My cat has a funny way of saying “Meow.” Depending on your interpretation it sounds like he saying “Hello.” It is a real trip to hear! Sometimes when he wants something he goes into this whining meow that almost sounds like “Mama.” My husband and I don’t have children yet so I admit I maybe just “hearing” this because the biological clock is ringing really hard in my ear. Although I do talk to my cat like he is a person, if he talked back to me in plain English one day I would seriously question my mental state. Or would I even notice?

Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”

The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”

“No,” he said.

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 facedown. Numbers 22-28-31 NIV

The first thing that comes to mind when reading this passage, “Uuum, dude, do you know are talking to a donkey?” This was not normal so it seemed like he should have went into some type of SHOCK! But he didn’t, Balaam had a normal conversation with a donkey. Let’s check out this passage a little more to find out what happened to Balaam’s brain!

By this time all the surrounding countries had heard about the great exodus from Egypt and were very afraid of this large group of people. As the Israelites settled in Moab, Balak, the king of Moab sought out Balaam to curse the Israelites. God gave Balaam strict orders not to follow Balak’s wishes. Refusing to be deterred, the king “sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first” to convince Balaam of this mission. Now keep in mind Balaam already knew what God told him to do, but he tells the second group, “Now stay here tonight as the others did, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me.”

That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Numbers 22:20-22 NIV“

Now as you are reading this you may wonder why did the Lord get angry at Balaam. He did give him permission to go with the princes. Remember earlier when I told you to keep in mind Balaam already knew what God wanted done with this situation. I believe this second group of princes with their fine clothes, jewelry, etc tapped into Balaam’s desire for materialism. God already told Balaam the Israelites were a blessed people and he was not to curse them. With this knowledge Balaam should have sent the second group away immediately, but he didn’t. He asked them to spend the night so he could “find out what else the LORD will tell me.” What was Balaam thinking? Did he think God was going to change His mind and instruct him to curse His chosen people?

I believe Balaam did not really notice he was talking to his donkey because he had “ching-ching” in his eyes. He had become intrigued and focused on the promised “rewards” from Balak, the king of Moab. I believe he had intentions to follow through with God’s plans, but at the same time he was fighting a fleshly battle as well.

When God tells us something how often do we question him or look for another way around the situation? Has God every gotten your attention through an unusual way? Although I wonder sometimes what is that crazy cat thinking about, “Meow” is a good enough response for me. I don’t want to be so self-absorbed and on my own mission that God has to go extremes to get my attention.

Unfortunately, I believe God has been dealing with me about being self-centered lately. Too often than I care to admit I like to be in “control” and “have it my way.” I tend to gloss over the fact that God’s ways are higher than mine. Instead of second guessing God as Balaam did, I need to take Him at His Word.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 NIV

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