Have you ever driven through a construction zone, frustrated by the delay, only to discover that workers were repairing a large pothole that would have severely damaged your car? Sometimes what appears to be an obstacle is God’s protection.

This truth comes alive in one of Scripture’s most unusual accounts—the story of a talking donkey and a blind prophet. Balak, king of Moab, was terrified as he watched the Israelites camp near his territory. Desperate to curse God’s people, he hired Balaam, a renowned diviner, promising great rewards. Though God had clearly forbidden the mission, Balaam’s greed clouded his judgment. “Go with them,” God finally said, “but do only what I tell you” (v. 20). The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and set off. But “God was very angry” (v. 22) and sent an angel to block the path. Three times the donkey saw the angel and turned away. Each time, the spiritually blind Balaam beat his faithful animal, unaware of the divine intervention.

Finally, “the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth” (v. 28) to protest this abuse. But the greater miracle came next: “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown” (v. 31). The angel’s words were sobering: “If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it” (v. 33).

This revelation transformed Balaam’s understanding. What he had seen as stubborn disobedience was life-saving protection. The donkey’s “rebellion” had protected him from certain death. Thankfully, when Balaam finally reached Balak, he could only speak God’s words of blessing over Israel, not the curses the king desired. “How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?” (23:8).

Have you ever driven through a construction zone, frustrated by the delay, only to discover that workers were repairing a large pothole that would have severely damaged your car? Sometimes what appears to be an obstacle is God&rsquo;s protection.
This truth comes alive in one of Scripture&rsquo;s most unusual accounts&mdash;the story of a talking donkey and a blind prophet. Balak, king of Moab, was terrified as he watched the Israelites camp near his territory. Desperate to curse God&rsquo;s people, he hired Balaam, a renowned diviner, promising great rewards. Though God had clearly forbidden the mission, Balaam&rsquo;s greed clouded his judgment. &ldquo;Go with them,&rdquo; God finally said, &ldquo;but do only what I tell you&rdquo; (v. 20). The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and set off. But &ldquo;God was very angry&rdquo; (v. 22) and sent an angel to block the path. Three times the donkey saw the angel and turned away. Each time, the spiritually blind Balaam beat his faithful animal, unaware of the divine intervention.
Finally, &ldquo;the LORD opened the donkey&rsquo;s mouth&rdquo; (v. 28) to protest this abuse. But the greater miracle came next: &ldquo;Then the Lord opened Balaam&rsquo;s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown&rdquo; (v. 31). The angel&rsquo;s words were sobering: &ldquo;If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it&rdquo; (v. 33).
This revelation transformed Balaam&rsquo;s understanding. What he had seen as stubborn disobedience was life-saving protection. The donkey&rsquo;s &ldquo;rebellion&rdquo; had protected him from certain death. Thankfully, when Balaam finally reached Balak, he could only speak God&rsquo;s words of blessing over Israel, not the curses the king desired. &ldquo;How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?&rdquo; (23:8).

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

 Open Our Eyes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/698f912c-a5b2-41f5-bd2a-b43c013922bb/transcript