The Donkey Saw First
“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: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.”Numbers 22:23 (KJV)
Balaam was the professional seer. People paid him to see what others couldn’t. Yet in this story, his donkey saw the danger before he did.
“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.” She turned into a field, then pressed against a wall, then lay down. Three times she turned aside, and three times Balaam beat her.
Then God did two surprising things. First, “the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” Then, “the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way.”
Sometimes the thing blocking our path is God’s mercy, and we are angry at it. A closed door, a delay, a detour. Before you beat against it, ask God to open your eyes. The obstacle might be saving your life.
Count it yourself
The ass turned aside 3 times (Numbers 22:23–27), and said Balaam had smitten her these 3 times (22:28).
Is there an obstacle you’ve been fighting that might be God’s mercy?
Lord, open my eyes. Help me see your hand in the things that block my way. Amen.