Today, focus is upon divine authority, obedience, prophecy, and the holy writings. Accounts from the Bible all are intended to reveal the character, nature and substance of divinity. The holy writings therefore include genealogy, epistles, chronicles and secular history, parables, proclamations, promises, and prophecy. Stories where animals speak and give instruction (fables) generally are intended for amusement and entertainment; and fables rarely impart the Holy Spirit as do documents of faith, and the Scriptures. The donkey who spoke saved the life of a man three times in the same day. In contrast to the Prophet Moses, the figure of Balaam is introduced as a seer (we also say, an earlier form, a visionary, and “the old man”), a false prophet, and a presentation (i.e., symbolic type) of Satan. Denied authority and privilege to directly attack, curse, or destroy Israel, Balaam operates as a deceiver and one who encourages their self-destruction through fornication, idolatry, presumption, and pride. The new writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Elo” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since November 02, 2016) posted the following:
Where in the old testament does a donkey speak to her master?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And 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? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Numbers 22: 26-35, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Malachi (01/02/2015); Why Prophets Were Sent to Israel (11/23/2014); The Need for Prophecy Then and Now (11/24/2014); A Curse Removed (12/26/2013); Intercession (12/27/2013); Balaam (10/15/2013); About Sabbath (10/16/2013); Utterance is Spirit (09/08/2013); A Start for the Idea of GOD? (09/09/2013)
“Elo”, in the 4th Book of Moses called “Numbers” (see chapters 22-25) there is an account of opposition against divine authority through law, covenant relationship, prophecy, and shared sacred purpose. Mature Christian believers understand from this account that Balaam the son of Beor was a seer (a person who experienced paranormal visions, practiced shamanism, and was believed able to intercede for humanity with good and evil spirits). Having heard reports of the judgment by GOD against Egypt on behalf of the sons of Jacob (to whom they were in kinship), and unwilling to risk the destruction of his army, the king of Moab wanted Balaam to discourage, disperse, and repel the Israelites. Balaam was recruited to pronounce a curse upon their camp. However, before that time, Balaam also had been used by the true GOD as a spokesperson (we say, prophet).
Men were repeatedly sent from the king who, like the serpent that beguiled Eve, were arrayed in splendor, and appealed to Balaam’s weaknesses (i.e., ambition, human covetousness, desire, exaggerated pride, self-will). Finally GOD allowed Balaam to go with the messengers to Moab; however, he was to speak only what GOD would put in his mouth. As further admonition, and example, and warning to Balaam, the path for their journeying became increasingly difficult. When his jackass (we say, donkey) balked, he began to beat her with a prod. Finally, the animal halted and would go no further, because she could see that the path was forbidden: An angel from GOD was standing there with his sword in readiness to strike. When the man, seeing nothing there, began to beat her in “road rage”, GOD allowed the animal to speak what divinity would put in her mouth.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended, here. For example, as with the first pair (Adam and Eve), to be properly prepared for forthcoming challenges and tests, created beings and living creatures usually require more than mere words, commandments, and laws that are to reside within their hearts and minds. There must be operations of divine spirit. Finite tools such as emotion, imagination, intellect, logic, philosophy, and science are not enough for the living to correctly recognize, resist, and eliminate sin. Sinners also must receive a fresh deposit of spirit content from the makeup of Deity (e.g., faith, holiness, love, wisdom, wrath against sin); be filled with the imparted, indwelling Spirit of GOD (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy); and have sacred knowledge that allows discernment of spirit content from GOD within events (we say, miracles), themselves and other people, the holy writings, etc. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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