In our prayer time today, Kay and I learned this lesson in the Bible. It was the example of Balaam in Numbers 22-25 that served to show me the futility and foolishness of arguing with an ass, especially one who speaks for God.
Now if you were the ass in this story, it would be hard to understand why the man riding on your back was being so hard on you. After all the, Bible records the ass’s point of view: Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field:
Balaam had been tasked with delivering a specific word of truth to Balak the king. However the king sought to entice Balaam to deliver a message that would curse the king’s enemies. God wanted Balaam to deliver a message that would instead, bless the king’s enemies. The enticement offered by the king was gifts of material wealth and career prosperity. Balaam was torn between accepting the offer and doing the right thing. It was the ass that made the difference.
If you choose to read that story, you will find that the ass saw the angel and finally spoke to Balaam saying in essence; ‘lighten up dude! What did I ever do to you?’
Well, I exaggerated a little here, but the ass refused to move further for fear of his own life and spoke up in his own defense.
Suffice it to say, Balaam argued with the ass and at the end of their discourse, the angel appeared and told him that the ass saved his life. Balaam went on to confess his disobedience and completed the task God had before him. He went to king Balak and blessed his enemies as God had commanded him to do. He lost out on the high paying job and the perks, but he pleased God.
The moral of the story is.., never argue with an ass. He might be trying to save your life. Read it for yourself. It is in the Bible.