Got Questions: Did Balaam`s donkey really talk to him?

This week Got Questions sent a Q & A about Balaam's donkey. It's a good lesson. On another blog recently, someone, quite rightly, reminded their readers how it's always dangerous to make decisions when angry. This got me to thinking (always a hazardous proposition with me). It seems every time I turn on the news, there are talking Jackasses, most spouting nonsense. And there's a lot of anger about the direction our country is headed in or, I should say, is in. I have to remind myself that it's important to not make decisions while cross but use common sense and look to The Cross so as to please God.

May we all strive to please Him in every thought and deed.

I hope your day is blessed.

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Question of the Week

Question: "Did Balaam`s donkey really talk to him?"

Answer: The story of Balaam and his talking donkey is found in Numbers 22. Balaam was a pagan prophet who practiced divination and other magic arts, led Israel into apostasy, and was identified as a false prophet by Peter and Jude (2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 1:11). Fearing the encroaching Israelites, King Balak of Moab sent for Balaam and enlisted his aid in repelling the Israelites by cursing them. The Lord spoke to Balaam and told him to refuse to go to Balak, although the Lord relented under the condition that Balaam would speak only His words. So Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab back to Balak.

But knowing Balaam’s heart, the Lord’s anger burned against Balaam for what He knew was Balaam’s rebelliousness, and He sent an angel with a drawn sword to bar his way. Although Balaam couldn’t see the angel, his donkey could, and she tried to discontinue the journey by going off the path, crushing Balaam’s foot against the wall and lying down on the path. Angered by her behavior, Balaam used his staff to beat the donkey three times. Then in Numbers 22:28, we learn that “the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’” Then Balaam and the donkey proceeded to have a conversation about the situation, with Balaam angrily berating the donkey, after which the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel and understand why his journey was stopped.

There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke” to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech” and who “spoke with a man’s voice” (2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power.

Why was Balaam not shocked into silence by the donkey speaking to him? Surely, it must have come as a surprise to him, and under normal circumstances, the obvious reaction would be for him to at least ask how she came to be speaking. The Bible doesn’t tell us why he didn’t find it odd to be addressed by a donkey, but we do know something about his state of mind. First, he was in rebellion against the Lord, going to Balak for his own purposes and not those of the Lord. Second, the donkey’s refusal to continue down the path enraged him so that he beat her out of anger because she had mocked him and made a fool of him. Anger has a way of curtailing rational thought, and perhaps he was so intent on exerting his dominance over the animal that he lost the ability to think clearly. It wasn’t until the angel opened Balaam’s eyes to see reality that he relented in his anger against the donkey, listened to the angel, and repented. Verse 38 tells us that Balaam went to Balak and told the king, “I must speak only what God puts in my mouth," which just goes to show that God can use anyone, even a donkey and a rebellious prophet, to do His will and speak His truth.

© Copyright 2002-2016 Got Questions Ministries

Weather Update: SNOW!

It's snowing in Southeast Georgia! No photos as they're only flurries but it's definitely the white stuff.

Thank goodness we don't have to go out or do anything outside today.

I'm messing about on the computer, hunting for more family genealogy information, and in between, working on the inevitable taxes that come due in April.

I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Funny Friday ~ Snow Day

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. For all my Northern neighbors, stay warm, have a couple of hot toddies, post some snow pics on blogger and the time should just fly by.

Scooter Poopin' In Southeast Georgia

Yesterday, we took off zigzagging around Southeastern Georgia. If one could ignore the bone chilling wind, the day was picturesque. The sun was incredibly bright making the sky like unto an enormous blue diamond. It was charming. Like a prelude to Heaven. How could we resist!? Our first stop was the metropolis of Valdosta. We lunched at Smok'n Pig on Valdosta Road.

I just had to snap a pic of the pink pig BBQ grill. Hubby burst my bubble, though, when he said that the first time he cooked on it, the paint would chip. Oh well ...

Sated with good 'ol southern BBQ, we traveled further west to the little community of Dixie (how original, right?!) in neighboring Brooks County.

Winter Road, Dixie, Georgia

The above picture is downtown Dixie, a sleepy little burg, never destined for greatness. I never knew this county had such easy to ride, meandering, shady, scenic roads! Now I want to move there and ride every day.

Emanuel AME Church

County Road 78, Dixie

I snapped a photo of this black church only because it has the most unusual architecture for the area. It must have been built on a shoestring and perhaps with more than one chef in the kitchen.

What is the round room for? I wonder. The front had one style, the windows don't fit the design of the front, and the back is ... well, unusual. At any rate, it was interesting.

One nice thing about old age is it doesn't take much to amuse me anymore. *lol*

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed.

In Loving Memory: Myra Cook Ackman

Myra (Cook) Ackman

Her memorial at FindAGrave

Twelve years ago today, I lost my precious step-mother of 36 years. She was a determining force for the better part of my life. Since her passing I have tried to hallow her memory with praise because of the endearing impression she's made on all who knew her. Many times I find myself reminiscing about some funny quip or some bit of advice that has helped me through the years.

She was blessed with a raiper wit that comes from growing up poor in the Kentucky mountains. Her humor was quick and merciless. Myra grew up in a coal mining community but she was "trained to virtue and grace, in faith and God's fear." An expert self-taught seamstress, she was rarely not at the old Singer sewing machine. Memory is sometimes muddled but with fondness I remember one joke in particular she would say when 'caught' sewing on a Sunday. Because Myra was of the die-hard Baptist faith, she would say she would have to remove all the stitches with her nose when in Heaven because she sewed on the Sabbath.

Her cooking was superb. A kind of cordon bleu but with a country flair. She could take an ordinary meal and make it special. We are still serving many of her delicious recipes, especially around the Holidays.

When I hear a Polka, her favorite music, it still brings a smile. Her favorite song, though, was Last Date by Floyd Cramer. She would crank that tune up and sway to the melodies that spilled out of that old cabinet record player. Last Date is one of my fav's now too.

In 2008, four years after her passing, her memory was still fresh, I wrote a brief story about how she came into my life.

Rest in peace dear lady. I'll bet you're sitting next to Floyd Cramer listening to him play for the heavenly bodies. I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven with our blessed LORD Jesus.

Got Questions: What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability?

Mill Creek Church Cemetery at sunset

There's been several discussions about maintaining our faith in God on many of my favorite blogs. I feel cheered by their showing of faith. I appreciate these wonderful Saints more than words can express. Along this same line of thought, I thought it would also be edifying to discuss how important it is to encourage one another in the gathering shadows of these Last Days.

Every day He tarries is a day to witness. Every day He tarries is a day to love the sinner but hate the sin. And every day we draw nearer to our sweet LORD's return for His faithful.

Since almost all who read this blog are professing Christians, this next year will be especially bumpy spiritually, financially, morally, not just for America, but for the world. The world has told God to leave our schools, science, government, politics, entertainment, work places, and even many of our places of worship. In His place the darkness has crept in.

As we earnestly pray for God to forgive our ignorance and to return to our every day lives, let's try to remember to be upbeat and friendly to others. Let's share the joy of Jesus Christ in spite of the wickedness that envelopes our nation and fight the fear that grips our souls. Perhaps we can make, even if just for a moment, someone's world a little bit brighter so they won't feel desperate. May our kindness help lead them to Christ while the light lasts. Let's also show others WE ARE HIS and nothing, yay, NOTHING can come between the love of God and those who put their faith in Him.

"These are the times that try men's souls." [Thomas Paine, founding father]

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." [Romans 10:17]

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." [1 Thessalonians 5:11]

With Christian Affection,

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www.GotQuestions.org

Question of the Week

Question: "What does the Bible say on the importance of accountability?"

Answer: There much temptation already in the world today, and Satan is working overtime to create even more. In the face of such temptation, many Christians seek out an “accountability partner” to pray with and help share the burdens that come with doing spiritual warfare. It is good to have a brother or sister we can count on when we are facing temptations. King David was alone the evening that Satan tempted him into adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). The Bible tells us we fight a war not of flesh but of the spirit, against powers and spiritual forces who threaten us (Ephesians 6:12).

Knowing we are in a battle against the forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us, and this may include making ourselves accountable to another believer who can encourage us in the fight. Paul tells us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We know without a doubt that temptation will come. We should be prepared.

Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is fighting and perhaps feeling that someone else might better understand and sympathize. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things are not going well at work and just where the bar is on the way home. Where do we find help? We want to do what is right in the sight of God, yet we are weak. What do we do?

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression of encouragement or moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan. Being accountable to one another can provide those missing ingredients.

The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Body of Christ is interconnected, and we have a duty to each other to build each other up. Also, James implies accountability when he says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Accountability can be helpful in the battle to overcome sin. An accountability partner can be there to encourage you, rebuke you, teach you, rejoice with you, and weep with you. Every Christian should consider having an accountability partner with whom he or she can pray, talk, confide, and confess.

© Copyright 2002-2016 Got Questions Ministries