Today, focus is on admonition, covetousness, and the range of sacred operations required to oppose sin. Correctly understood, the living, and the things of the material and natural world have been created to express and serve the will of the Creator, not merely their own self-will. It should not be disturbing or surprising, then, that the immortal, invisible Creator of heaven and earth might use animals, angels, the sun, moon, and stars to communicate and intercede with his own finite created beings and living creatures. What should be thought startling and strange is that the hearts and minds of many are blinded by the flesh and the world so that they can not receive the plain guidance, instruction, warnings and testimonies from the Bible, or shared by those endowed with faith through Jesus Christ. In the account of Balaam, who was spoken to by an ass, the seer himself regularly experienced unusual events, and often was relied on as the one to give counsel to others when they were challenged and confused by strange occurrences. The ass had to speak to counter Balaam’s hardness of heart. Similarly, discernment and sacred knowledge are bestowed on the apostles, prophets, mature believers, and the disciples of Jesus Christ to enable their correct response to the active presence who is GOD. Consider again the following: Hebrews 5: 12-14, King James Version (KJV): 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:
Christian. Is the commandment to not covet your neighbour's donkey referring to one of those magical talking donkeys that you all believe in?
Because I must admit, those are some pretty good donkeys!
THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. (Number 22: 28-38, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divinity Appears Using Form (07/26/2017); The Sin of Witchcraft? (01/24/2017); When the Donkey Speaks? (11/03/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); Getting It Right About Angels (05/10/2015); Harden Not Your Hearts? (09/08/2014);Why Believers Fear (09/09/2014); Hardness of Heart? (11/24/2013); Prayer on Behalf of Others? (11/25/2013); Balaam (10/15/2013); About Sabbath (10/16/2013)
“Anonymous”, none of the many sacred operations carried out by GOD to cleanse, defend, heal, and maintain ongoing relationships with the living involve “magic”. Establishing godliness within created beings and living creatures now demand such elements as acquiring sacred knowledge, forgiveness, growth, completing mortality (death), rebirth, resurrection, ripening for harvest, and sanctification. The Spirit of GOD that put forth heaven, the earth, and Creation continues to gradually introduce permanent changes in the spirit content of sinners that include multiple subtleties (i.e., barely visible differences; sudden shifts in meaning, quality, and value), and that remain unseen to those who lack discernment.
Many fail to grasp that covetousness only appears as a transgression of divine law (we say, sin). All sin opposes the continued existence of sacred law, the Law Giver, and divine order throughout the spheres of life. It has not been a divine intent or eternal purpose that the living exist with their consciousness and self-will dominated by sin, and responding to an uninterrupted stream of desire. Sin promotes destruction, nonexistence, and a return to the conditions in place before the founding of heaven and earth. Even so, the living often accept sin as natural, normal, and in no way contrary to their own character and makeup.
In the same way divine law has been provided for guidance and instruction against sin, the account of the “talking donkey” is supplied for those who are immersed in carnal, material, secular and social realities. Balaam was a genuine seer (in the Bible, the early name for a prophet). In addition to genuine prophecy from GOD that may have included visitations by angels, Balaam also may have indulged the occult through ignorance, innocence, and exaggerated pride. Thus, a very graphic and strong warning had to be made against the self-will of Balaam and how he might support the enemies of Moses. (Ask yourself: Where my own self-will would be directed against the sovereign will of GOD, would it be enough for me to be answered on the Internet by a stranger (some jackass) answering in faith and love to Jesus Christ, or would I need something “extreme”, magical, and occult to be admonished and corrected by GOD? Would GOD have to use with me what he uses for those having hardened minds and hearts?)
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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