The Sanctifying Squeeze of God

Balaam has been told by God not to curse Israel. He has been told not to even travel with the men who have come to pay him to curse Israel. Yet, Balaam decides to take the better offer they present in prayer before the Lord.

Make no mistake Christian, this world and the prince of the power of the air will do the same thing to you. He doesn't take your first "no" for an answer. He always comes with something more enticing. Yet God's answer and God's direction remain the same!

When Balaam goes to God in prayer, God allows him to go but only to say what He gives to him for prophecy. When Balaam leaves, something seemingly strange happens in the text.

Numbers 22:22 (ESV) But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

This looks strange on the surface. Why would got get angry at Balaam going when God told Balaam it was okay for him to go. 

First, we have to remember God's first word was DO NOT GO (see verse Numbers 22:12). God has every right to be angry that Balaam even asked if he should go after receiving the more prestigious offer from the king of Moab. But there's more to it than that. 

God's anger is not a destructive anger. If we see that anywhere in scripture, we see it here with Balaam. He doesn't kill Balaam, but he reveals to him that his way of disobedience is ultimately foolish and wrong. God's anger is corrective and informing. It is corrective in that God is making certain Balaam understands nothing will happen through him that God has not ordained for Israel. Secondly, it is informing him that God is holy and awesome and anyone who walks anywhere for His Name must do so with reverence and fear - a holy fear that listens closely and follows His leading. 

How does this passage unfold? God puts the "squeeze" on Balaam. The three times the donkey diverts from the route include a consistent "narrowing" theme. Note the passages:

Numbers 22:24–27 (ESV) Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

God has limited Balaam's options. He has squeezed his plans down to the narrow way only God will allow. This is how God will speak to us. We may not like it but the squeeze is necessary. Sometimes the squeeze is in our financial life. Sometimes in our relationships and social life. Sometimes God will squeeze out the options we chase and the squeeze will make us mad - just like Balaam. 

Notice the same phrase for Balaam's anger that was used to describe the anger of God, "Balaam's anger was kindled." This is not by accident. God is showing Balaam that just as He was angry with Balaam's disobedience for acting foolishly, Balaam is now angry with this "stubborn" animal for acting so "foolishly." In reality, Balaam is the ultimate donkey of the story. Perhaps this is why when the donkey speaks, Balaam is not shocked but speaks right back. They are contemporaries in errant ways. 

When God opens Balaam's eyes to the angel, the words reveal who is really in charge of this journey and who is really the fool: 

Numbers 22:32 (ESV) And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.

God has Balaam's attention. Balaam offers to return but God says go and this time, he will go on purpose. He will go with the word of God on his lips and with a blessing rich and ready for the people of Israel. Now he will go, NOT seeking the reward of the king of Moab, but seeking the approval of the Lord of Heaven and Earth. The Lord has already done this with Moses as he returned to Egypt, He will do it with Joshua before the battle of Jericho. When God wants to use you He will often squeeze out the options you want to direct you in the course He has chosen while at the same time shaping your heart to fear ONLY Him so that you are not swayed by the opinions of others. 

In grace we get the squeeze - sanctified for His purposes alone.