”But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Greetings again my Brethren. All of my life I have heard, “God can do anything, he even spoke to a man using an ass.” Well, it is true God can do anything according to His will, He is God and we are not. A critical truth we must get our heart around if we are to serve Him. I will let that sink in a moment. And Yes, God can even use an “ass” to speak to man. Now I believe this is the only story in the Bible where God used an animal to speak to a man, but make no mistake God is not above using animals and even insects to judge man. In Numbers and 2 Peter we read of the accounts of Balaam, God’s Prophet, being so thick-headed that God had to use an “ass” to communicate and even save His life. Moses writes, “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23And 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. 24But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26And 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. 27And 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. 28And 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? 29And 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.30And 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. 31Then 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. 32And 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: 33And 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.” (Numbers 22:21-33) Now the “ass” (or donkey not a mule) was one of the lowliest animals (a beast of burden), but one of the most favorite animals in the Bible. Historians say, Mary rode a donkey (an ass) to Bethlehem and Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem, in great victory, on the back of a donkey (see Matthew 21:1-5). Today an “ass” is not esteemed much, we like lions, tigers, bears, even camels, but no so with God. God always takes the least and makes it the greatest. I am not sure who was the “ass” in this story. In 2 Peter we get a better view of Balaam’s heart condition, “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.” (2 Peter 2:16) So, God said of Balaam he was in “iniquity” and that he was “madness.” I am sure God was not talking about Balaam being upset, but his mind was touched by his “iniquity.” When we get over in sin, we miss the mark, know to do right, but wilfully do wrong, and “iniquity” or lawlessness or we do things outside the law of God, or outside the way God wants things done we are mad, we are crazy. People that do not know God who are not saved, who Christ does not dwell within them are crazy they are insane, they are mad. I mean anyone who would not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior so that that can come to know a Holy God and shun Hell and the Lake of Fire forever has to be mad, they have to crazy. Let us guard our heart from such a situation. So, God can use anything to speak to man. He can use, in summary, the timid (Jeremiah 1:6-8), the handicapped (Exodus 4:10-11), the educated (acts 7:22, 2:3) the uneducated (Amos 7:14-15, Acts 4:13), (I like this one) an enemy (John 11:47-51) and yes even an “ass.” After all God uses us, does He not?
Next month we begin to look at the many diverse objects God can use to communicate with us. Are you there my friend? In tough situations and circumstances? Have you heard His voice? Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
