Originally posted: 06/14/2019
And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey… (22:28).
God’s people were growing in number, strength, and reputation; and the surrounding nations were growing in fear.
So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel, (22:3).
Fear can motivate to action, but is not often a wise counselor.
Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 So he sent messengers to Balaam… to call him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. 6 Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed,” (22:4-6).
Balak, the king of Moab, motivated by fear, was mistakenly convinced his own resources would be able to open the floodgates of curses and blessings.
And though it appears as if Balaam seemingly began strong, his sin of pride and greed as a false prophet would be exposed; nothing remains concealed from His penetrating power, from What He Alone Opens.
Consider What He Alone Opens
- He Alone Opens a donkey’s mouth to speak.
- And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, (22:28).
- He Alone Opens eyes to see His Presence.
- Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, (22:31).
- He Alone Opens the way to life.
- The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. 33 But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live,” (22:32-33).
- He Alone Opens hearts and minds to recognize sin.
- Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back,” (22:34).
- He Alone Opens mouths to speak His Word.
- But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak... 38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak,” (22:35, 38).
How do we respond to What He Alone Opens?
Is anything too difficult for Him? What can He not Open? And what He Alone Opens, no one can shut.
”I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name,” (Revelation 4:8).
He is the same God Who opened the mouth of a donkey. Balaam didn’t seem the least bit stunned that his donkey could speak. Why should we be surprised by His supernatural power?
Let us surrender fully to His purposes so as not to be persuaded by fear, pride, or greed. Let us pray in faith for ourselves and others, convinced of His supernatural power, believing when we ask according to His will, He answers; and What He Alone Opens cannot be shut.
- Let us pray eyes would be Opened to see Him and receive His forgiveness of sins.
- “…to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me,” (Acts 26:17-18).
- Let us pray with urgency for the lost, that they too would find His narrow way Opened to life.
- “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it,” (Matthew 7:13-14).
- Let us pray His supernatural living Word would Open our hearts and minds to recognize and acknowledge our own sins, that we may confess, be cleansed, and made fit to serve Him in righteousness.
- For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13).
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, (1 John 1:9).
- Let us pray that our mouths would be Opened to boldly speak His word, that we would follow the example of God’s faithful evangelist, the apostle Paul.
- and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19).
- Oh, let us devote ourselves to prayer, that God would Open doors for us to make known What He Alone Opens, and that He would Open our mouths to clearly speak forth the magnificent mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak, (Colossians 4:2-4).