Lessons from Balaam: Obedience and Divine Guidance
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the story of Balaam and the donkey from Numbers 22, a narrative often overlooked due to its peculiar and challenging nature. This story is part of our new series, "Bible Gone Wild," where we explore the more difficult and seemingly strange passages of Scripture. The account of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and his talking donkey, serves as a profound lesson on obedience, discernment, and the mysterious ways God works in our lives.
Balaam was summoned by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites, who had become a powerful and numerous people. Despite initially refusing, Balaam eventually received permission from God to go with Balak's messengers. However, God sent an angel to oppose Balaam on his journey, which only the donkey could see. After being beaten by Balaam for veering off the path, the donkey was given the ability to speak and questioned Balaam's actions. This encounter led Balaam to realize his error and repent.
The story highlights several key themes. First, it underscores the importance of complete obedience to God's instructions. Balaam initially failed to convey God's full message to Balak's messengers, which led to his confrontation with the angel. Second, it illustrates the necessity of discernment. Balaam couldn't see the angel, but the donkey could, teaching us that sometimes those we least expect can perceive spiritual truths we might miss. Third, it emphasizes that God's plans and purposes are unchanging, even when they seem contradictory to us. Balaam's journey was a test of his faith and obedience, ultimately leading him to bless the Israelites instead of cursing them.
This narrative also serves as a reminder that God can use anyone or anything to fulfill His purposes, even a talking donkey. It challenges us to remain open to God's guidance, no matter how unconventional it may seem, and to trust that He is working out His plans in our lives, even through our struggles and uncertainties.
### Key Takeaways
1. Complete Obedience to God: Balaam's initial failure to fully convey God's message highlights the importance of complete obedience. Partial obedience is still disobedience. We must strive to follow God's instructions fully, trusting that His commands are for our ultimate good and His glory. [57:49]
2. The Necessity of Discernment: The story of Balaam and the donkey teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment. Sometimes, those we least expect can perceive spiritual truths that we might miss. We must pray for discernment and wisdom to recognize God's guidance, even when it comes from unexpected sources. [01:07:30]
3. God's Unchanging Plans: Despite the seeming contradictions in God's instructions to Balaam, His ultimate plan remained unchanged. This teaches us that God's purposes are steadfast, even when they seem confusing to us. We must trust that God is working out His plans in our lives, even through our struggles and uncertainties. [59:54]
4. God Uses Unconventional Means: The talking donkey in Balaam's story reminds us that God can use anyone or anything to fulfill His purposes. We should remain open to God's guidance, no matter how unconventional it may seem, and trust that He is working through all circumstances to achieve His will. [01:04:40]
5. Trusting God's Timing: Balaam's journey was a test of faith and obedience, illustrating the importance of trusting God's timing. Even when we face roadblocks and challenges, we must believe that God is working something out within us and that His timing is perfect. Patience and faith are crucial as we navigate our spiritual journeys. [01:14:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[42:51] - Introduction to "Bible Gone Wild" Series
[44:10] - The Inspiration of Scripture
[45:36] - The Story of Balaam and the Donkey
[47:05] - Balaam's Journey Begins
[48:41] - The Donkey Speaks
[50:01] - Balaam's Realization and Repentance
[51:24] - The Fear of Balak
[52:36] - The Role of Messengers
[53:44] - The Donkey as a Messenger
[54:44] - God's Seemingly Contradictory Instructions
[56:14] - Balaam's Struggle with Obedience
[57:49] - The Importance of Complete Obedience
[59:54] - God's Unchanging Plans
[01:04:40] - God Uses Unconventional Means
[01:07:30] - The Necessity of Discernment
[01:14:30] - Trusting God's Timing
[01:19:10] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 22:1-35 - The story of Balaam and the donkey.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
3. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Balaam's initial response when King Balak's messengers asked him to curse the Israelites? ([47:05])
2. How did Balaam's donkey react when it saw the angel of the Lord? ([47:05])
3. What was the donkey's question to Balaam after being beaten three times? ([48:41])
4. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of all Scripture?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Balaam initially omitted part of God's message to Balak's messengers? ([57:49])
2. How does the story of Balaam and the donkey illustrate the necessity of spiritual discernment? ([53:44])
3. What does Balaam's journey teach us about trusting God's timing and dealing with roadblocks in our spiritual journey? ([56:48])
4. How can the concept of God using unconventional means, like a talking donkey, challenge our expectations of how God might work in our lives? ([54:44])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you were following God's will but encountered significant obstacles. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([56:48])
2. Balaam's story emphasizes the importance of complete obedience to God. Are there areas in your life where you might be practicing partial obedience? How can you strive for complete obedience? ([57:49])
3. The donkey in Balaam's story perceived spiritual truths that Balaam missed. Are there people or situations in your life that you might be overlooking where God could be speaking to you? ([53:44])
4. How can you cultivate spiritual discernment in your daily life? What practices or habits can help you better recognize God's guidance? ([01:07:30])
5. Balaam's journey was a test of faith and obedience. How can you develop patience and trust in God's timing, especially when facing challenges? ([01:14:30])
6. Think of a recent situation where you felt God was using an unconventional means to guide you. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([54:44])
7. How can you remain open to God's guidance, even when it comes from unexpected sources or seems unconventional? ([54:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Complete Obedience to God
Description: Balaam's story teaches us the critical importance of complete obedience to God's instructions. Balaam initially failed to fully convey God's message to Balak's messengers, which led to his confrontation with the angel. This partial obedience was still disobedience in God's eyes. We must strive to follow God's instructions fully, trusting that His commands are for our ultimate good and His glory. This narrative reminds us that even when God's instructions seem challenging or counterintuitive, our role is to obey completely and trust in His wisdom. [57:49]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you only partially obeyed God's instructions. What steps can you take today to fully align your actions with His will?
Day 2: The Necessity of Discernment
Description: The story of Balaam and the donkey underscores the importance of spiritual discernment. Balaam couldn't see the angel, but the donkey could, teaching us that sometimes those we least expect can perceive spiritual truths we might miss. We must pray for discernment and wisdom to recognize God's guidance, even when it comes from unexpected sources. This narrative challenges us to remain humble and open to the possibility that God can use anyone or anything to reveal His truth to us. [01:07:30]
1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Reflection: Think of a time when someone unexpected provided you with spiritual insight. How can you cultivate a more discerning heart to recognize God's guidance in unconventional ways?
Day 3: God's Unchanging Plans
Description: Despite the seeming contradictions in God's instructions to Balaam, His ultimate plan remained unchanged. This teaches us that God's purposes are steadfast, even when they seem confusing to us. Balaam's journey was a test of his faith and obedience, ultimately leading him to bless the Israelites instead of cursing them. We must trust that God is working out His plans in our lives, even through our struggles and uncertainties. This narrative encourages us to have faith in God's unchanging nature and His sovereign plans. [59:54]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's plans for you seemed confusing or contradictory. How can you trust in His unchanging nature and sovereign plans today?
Day 4: God Uses Unconventional Means
Description: The talking donkey in Balaam's story reminds us that God can use anyone or anything to fulfill His purposes. We should remain open to God's guidance, no matter how unconventional it may seem, and trust that He is working through all circumstances to achieve His will. This narrative challenges us to be receptive to God's voice, even when it comes through unexpected channels, and to trust that He is orchestrating events for His glory and our good. [01:04:40]
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where God used an unconventional means to guide you. How can you remain open to His guidance in unexpected ways?
Day 5: Trusting God's Timing
Description: Balaam's journey was a test of faith and obedience, illustrating the importance of trusting God's timing. Even when we face roadblocks and challenges, we must believe that God is working something out within us and that His timing is perfect. Patience and faith are crucial as we navigate our spiritual journeys. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain steadfast in our faith, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. [01:14:30]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you trust in God's perfect timing and remain patient and faithful as you wait for His plans to unfold?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Because the Word of God says they overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. And so everything that we experience, we can really see it reflected in the Word of God." [44:10] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God can breathe life into your own life. Amen? Amen. And so I'm going to highlight one specific account and then we're going to open it up. And again, as Pastor Devin mentioned, you can email questions." [45:36] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Remember, God's charge hasn't changed. He just wants to change something within you. Balaam goes on to declare his oracles when he goes forward before Balak and declares these blessings upon Israel." [59:54] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must continue in the will of God because the charge has not changed. He's just supposed to change something within you. You can live. You can live out your full purpose and will in God. If you're willing to stay on the path and stay obedient to what God has called you to do." [01:00:40] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So many of us are seeking a word from somebody else when God has a direct line to you. Amen. Amen. And God speaks to me in ways that are very unique to Shiana. That I don't need to go running around to so many different and I'm a churchy person." [01:08:25] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "God had to work something out in Balaam because God knew that he was going to declare blessings upon Israel, upon the people of God. But if Balaam couldn't declare these blessings to the messenger, how could Balaam declare these messages before the destroyer?" [57:49] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think it's important to include all of these kind of intense, fantastical, ridiculous stories. Because I don't know about y'all, but my life is kind of ridiculous too. Yeah. I mean, I've been in shenanigans. I've experienced certain things that are wild that if I said it, I don't know if y'all would believe it." [01:01:55] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So I think the Bible has to reflect the fullness. The fullness of humanity. That's so good. And so we can't ignore even the hard scriptures because we can't ignore the hard parts of our own life." [01:02:44] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so you could trust what was coming forward because he was listening to God, have an audience with God and speaking directly what God would have him to speak, even though he was not of. The household of faith, as it were, of Israelites." [01:06:39] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so some of these folks that you're trying to seek a word from can't see what you're going through. Don't have the ability to see. Don't have a word for you because God has not given them the ability to do so." [01:07:30] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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