Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.
The fascinating incident of the greedy sorcerer and his talking donkey, is loaded with spiritual truth. The wizard, Balaam, was a diviner who was employed by the king of Moab to curse the travelling hoard of Israel. The Lord warned him not to go yet his covetous heart and evil feet rushed to cast a spell on the camp of Israel that was sojourning through Moab to the Promised Land. As Balaam saddled his donkey the angel of the Lord stood with a drawn sword to kill him but as the eyes of Balaam that was darkened by bribery. He could not see the flashing sword of the Lord. However the donkey’s eyes were open to the danger that was awaiting his master. Love of money, greed and covetousness blinded the eyes of the false prophet.
The spirit of Balaam is rampant in this day and age. People are selfish, voracious and callous. Materialism, fame and power have blinded their eyes to the light of the Word of God. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4a). All other creations except humanity are enlightened by the truth of God’s awesome power (Psalm 19:1). The trees of the field (Isaiah 55:12-13) and the rivers clap their hands (Psalm 98:8) praising the King of Glory. The mountains sing in unison celebrating the works of the Lord. Wild animals, walking, crawling, flying and swimming creatures praise God (Psalm 148). The only exception of God’s creation that is drooping in darkness is humanity.
Darkened spiritual eyes fail to see the glory of God, hence are greedy, grouchy and ungrateful.
Enlightened Eyes vs Darkened Eyes:
- Greedy: When the eyes of our heart are enlightened, greed will be replaced with generosity.
- Grouchy: When the spiritual eyes are enlightened, ‘the grouchy and complaining’ will overflow with gratitude.
- Gloat: When the eyes darkened by arrogance are enlightened, the gloating tongue will glorify God.
The darkened eyes are blinded to the glory of God.
Prayer: Dearest Holy Spirit, may my eyes be opened to see the truth. Amen.
Leave a Reply