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Writer's pictureTim Throckmorton

Detour Signs

Now most would agree with me that God’s ways are best right? But there’s a BIG difference between "saying" and "doing". Most of us have good intentions about serving God. When it comes to sin and the subject of obedience, good intentions just don’t cut it. It has been said, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 


There’s an Old Testament story about a semi-religious man named Balaam who had some good intentions but poor follow-through. He had one foot in religion and one foot in the world. He reminds me of Paul’s description of those who will be living in the last days, "…having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 


A little background info on Balaam is crucial to our understanding of the story. Balaam was not a Jew. He was a foreigner from Mesopotamia. I used to think Balaam was a righteous man. That isn’t true. Many people in his day considered him a prophet, but he was not. At least not in the Biblical sense. He was a sorcerer. A sort of Far Eastern "witch doctor." Someone called upon to place curses on people. Religion was his business, not his lifestyle. Sorcerers were thought to have power with the gods. 


The king of Moab wanted Balaam to use his powers with the God of Israel to place a curse on Israel hoping that, by magic, God would turn against His people. Obviously, neither Balaam nor Balak had any idea who they were dealing with! Balaam was willing to acknowledge that Jehovah (the God of the Israelites) was indeed a powerful God. But he did not believe He was the only true God. His story exposes the deception of maintaining an outward facade of spirituality over a corrupt inward life. Balaam was ready to obey God’s command if he could profit from doing so. Although he realized the awesome power of Israel’s God, his heart was occupied with the wealth he could gain in Moab. 


Reading this story by itself might lead us to believe he turned completely to God, but later passages in the Bible show that Balaam couldn’t resist the tempting pull of money and idolatry. This mixture of motives - obedience and profit - eventually led to Balaam’s death. Balaam had a direct encounter with God himself. An incredible opportunity to get his life on track. But he blew it. God had a plan, and he was in it, but Balaam had his own plan. 


So, what does a story about a man and his talking mule have to do with God’s Will? God used a Donkey and a Detour to teach Balaam a lesson in divine direction and I believe as we look in on their story, those same lessons can help us to be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in our lives. 


Notice first, when God asks you to do something, he is looking for absolute obedience. God gave Balaam a clear directive: "Don’t go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed." God did not stutter. He gave his instruction in a way that Balaam could easily understand. There was no question about what God meant/wanted. 


Secondly, when we get out of God’s will, he will often put roadblocks in the way to get our attention. God let Balaam go with Balak’s messengers, but he was angry about Balaam’s greedy attitude. Balaam claimed that he would not go against God just for money, but his resolve was beginning to slip. Though we may know what God wants us to do, we can become blinded by the desire for money, possessions, or prestige. How many of you get frustrated when things don’t go according to plan? There’s nothing worse than being in a hurry to get somewhere and you make a wrong turn...get lost...or you have car trouble. Balaam is about to experience transportation problems, and for a supposedly spiritual guy, he doesn’t handle it too well. In fact, he’s about to make a real donkey of himself. 


Next, we observe that when God puts a roadblock in your path, it’s good advice to pay attention! Often, God tries to get our attention, and we just won’t listen. Donkeys were usually highly dependable, which explains why Balaam became so angry when his donkey refused to move. Three time’s Balaam beats up his reliable old donkey because he was too wrapped up in himself to see the roadblock God put right in front of him. When his counseling session was concluded, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes so he could see what he’d been missing. Wonder who felt like a donkey then? 


Lastly, once you recognize your mistake: humble yourself, ask forgiveness, and next time around - don’t be mule-headed! Don’t just feel bad. Do what’s right. "Obedience is better than sacrifice..." Repentance isn’t just a temporary right turn...it’s a permanent 180, a turning away from. Going in the opposite direction in attitude and obedience. Give your heart fully to the Lord. Obey the God sized signs and experience the destination God has in store for you!

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