The angel of God stands as an adversary before Balaam

Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ... 

 

Numbers 22

 

23 And 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.

 

24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

 

25 And 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.

 

26 And 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.

 

27 And 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.

 

28 And 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?

 

29 And 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.

 

30 And 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.

 

31 Then 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.

 

32 And 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:

 

(perverse:  self willed in your own desires; showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unacceptable; contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice; turned away from what is right or good)

 

33 And 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.

 

💥💥💥

 

34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

 

35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

 

36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

 

37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

 

38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

 

(Balaam sounds right now but don't be deceived.  You will soon see who it is that he chooses to hang out with at the end.)

 

39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.

 

40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

 

41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

 

(Baal is the god of this world and is worshipped by people of the world.  How could sacrifices to God be offered in the high places of Baal? We see the perversion of Balaam.)

 

💥💥💥💥💥

 

* For writings on additional subjects, click here:  Jesus Ministries Exhortations Blog