HINDSIGHT

The title of the sermon this past Sunday (2/19/12) was, 

“Seeing what God wants me to see.”  

We, mostly me, discussed the story of Balaam.  

I was trying to make the point that Balaam was a seer, 

a visionary, who spoke for God after God revealed a message to him.  

This seer who was to look for and deliver the message of God was 

blinded by his own selfish greed.  

Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel and God commanded Balaam to bless Israel.  

Balaam was considering becoming a spiritual prostitute by selling his 

loyalty to God and becoming a paid false prophet to Balak.  

Spiritual blindness is a real issue.  

Balaam was initially warned by God, “…but do only what I tell you.” (Numbers 22:20)  

As Balaam marched across the desert he began to strategize.  

“How can I be loyal to God by blessing Israel, but also be responsive to Balak 

and curse Israel, so I can receive Balak’s reward but also God’s blessing?” 

The big idea of the story is, 

“If Balaam the seer weren’t blinded by his selfish greed he’d be as 

insightful as his donkey and respond appropriately to God’s command.” 

 

While on mission the donkey responds to God correctly.  

He turns away from confronting God on the road, 

he goes around God on the vineyard path, 

and he lies down in submission to God in the very narrow place.  

The donkey sees and responds to God in fearful respect.  

Balaam the seer and prophet of God is blinded to the danger of disobeying God.  

Only after God opens Balaam’s eyes and he sees God does he respond in 

absolute commitment to Him.  God repeats his earlier statement, 

“…but speak only what I tell you.” (Numbers 22:35)

Why does Balaam have to have this near death experience before he’ll listen to the Word of God?

Why do I have to have near death experiences’ before I’ll listen to the Word of God?

God commands me to pray, but I wait until I’m in crisis to pray.

God commands me to love, but I wait until I’m properly motivated to love.

God commands me to ____________________, but I wait until I’ve got the _____________________ to ______________.  (go ahead and fill in the blanks for yourself!)

This Balaam/donkey stuff is way too convicting for me today!  

Maybe we can discuss something soft and fluffy next week.  

What does the Bible say about bunnies?