This video explores the biblical story of Balaam and his donkey from the Book of Numbers, using it as a metaphor for spiritual blindness and God's persistent guidance. The narrative begins by posing a question about being so focused on personal desires that one misses God's messages, which can be conveyed through whispers, roadblocks, or even unexpected messengers like a talking donkey.

The story of Balaam is recounted: King Balak of Moab wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites. Despite God's initial prohibition, Balaam was tempted by the king's offers of reward. God permitted Balaam to go but warned him to only speak what God commanded. However, God's anger was kindled not by Balaam's journey, but by his inner disposition – his heart was "twisted" and not fully aligned with God's will.

To reveal Balaam's spiritual blindness, God placed a warrior angel with a drawn sword in his path. Balaam could not see the angel, but his donkey could. The donkey's unusual behavior – veering off the path, crushing Balaam's foot, and finally lying down – prompted Balaam to beat her. At this point, God miraculously opened the donkey's mouth, allowing her to question Balaam's actions. This event led God to open Balaam's eyes, enabling him to see the angel, which humbled him.

The video emphasizes that the story is not merely about a talking donkey but about God's mercy and His efforts to guide individuals, even when they are spiritually blind or "pretending something else." God's actions, like placing roadblocks, are presented as acts of love aimed at preventing self-destruction and teaching better ways. The narrative concludes with a call to self-reflection, asking viewers if they are encountering similar "talking donkey" moments in their lives – divine interventions meant to reveal spiritual blindness and teach important lessons. The video encourages humility and adherence to God's plan, referencing Psalm 32:8, and ends with a prayer for guidance, truth, and humility.

Bible Time with Ben

Have you ever been so focused on what you want that you totally miss what God is trying to show you? Sometimes God whispers. Sometimes he puts a roadblock right in your path. And sometimes he sends a talking donkey.

Let me tell you about Balam and his donkey. So the king of Moab was Bailo and he was mean. He wanted to curse the Israelites. Three times the king sent messengers to Balum, asking him to curse the Israelites. But Balam said, "I can only do what God says." But King Ba said, "I'll give you presents." Balam really wanted the presents though. But God said, "Okay, go. But only do what I tell you to do." And God's anger burned. Not because Balam was walking, but his obedience was wandering. Balam's heart was twisted.

So God put an angel in Balam's path. It was a warrior angel with a sword. But Balam couldn't see him, but his donkey could. She walked off the road. She stepped on Balam's foot. And finally, she just laid down. Balam beat her three times and then God opened the donkey's mouth. She asked, "What did I do to you that you hit me three times?" Balam was so angry. He was arguing with the donkey.

Then God opened Balam's eyes and he saw the angel. Bam fell to the ground humbled before God. This story is not just about a talking donkey. It's about God's mercy. Even when we're pretending something else, God knows what's in our hearts. God loves us enough to block our path, to teach us to be better. When we're walking towards self-destruction, he'll save us.

Sometimes God speaks to us through unexpected messengers. God used the miracle of a talking donkey to teach us about our spiritual blindness. Understand your heart. Follow God's plan. Ask yourself, are you having a talking donkey in your path? Did God put it there to teach you a lesson to show you your spiritual blindness? Don't ignore the warning. Humble yourselves.

And God said, "I'll instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Psalm 32:8.

Dear God, thank you for loving us so much. Can you teach us to hear your messages? Teach us to see your truth. Teach us to be humble before you, Lord. We love you, God. Amens.

“Balaam & the Donkey” - Bible Time with Ben 

Have you ever been so focused on [music]
what you want that you totally miss what
God is trying to show you? Sometimes God
whispers. [music] Sometimes he puts a
roadblock right in your path. And
sometimes he sends a talking [music]
donkey.
Let me tell you about Balam and his
donkey.
So the king of Moab [music] was Bailo
and he was mean. He wanted to curse the
Israelites.
Three times the king sent messengers to
Balum, asking him [music] to curse the
Israelites.
But Balam said, "I can only do what God
says." But [music] King Ba said, "I'll
give you presents." Balam really wanted
the presents [music] though. But God
said, "Okay, go. But only do what I tell
you to do."
And God's anger burned. [music] Not
because Balam was walking, but his
obedience was wandering. Balam's [music]
heart was twisted.
So God put an angel [music] in Balam's
path. It was a warrior angel with a
sword. But Balam [music] couldn't see
him, but his donkey could.
She walked off the road. [music] She
stepped on Balam's foot. And finally,
she just laid down. Balam beat [music]
her three times
and then God opened the donkey's mouth.
She asked, "What did I do to you that
you hit me three times?"
Balam was so angry. He was arguing
[music] with the donkey. Then God opened
Balam's eyes and he saw the angel.
Bam fell [music] to the ground humbled
before God.
This story is not just about a talking
donkey. It's about [music] God's mercy.
Even when we're pretending something
else, God knows what's in our hearts.
God loves us enough to block [music] our
path, to teach us to be better. When
we're walking towards self-destruction,
he'll save us. Sometimes God speaks to
us through unexpected [music]
messengers.
God used the miracle of a talking donkey
to teach us about our spiritual
blindness.
Understand [music] your heart. Follow
God's plan. Ask yourself, are you having
a talking donkey [music] in your path?
Did God put it there to teach you a
lesson to show you your spiritual
blindness? Don't [music] ignore the
warning.
Humble yourselves.
And God [music] said, "I'll instruct you
and teach you in the way you should go.
I will counsel [music] you with my eye
upon you." Psalm 32:8.
Dear [music] God, thank you for loving
us so much. Can you teach us to hear
your messages? Teach us to see your
truth. Teach [music] us to be humble
before you, Lord. We love you, God.
Amens.

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“Balaam & the Donkey” - Bible Time with Ben

Transcription