When I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to join a few dozen kids from around the country on a 6-week tour of Europe and the Mediterranean.

Part of our adventure included riding a donkey up the side of a cliff on a Greek island. The switchbacks of the old narrow gravel path were full of loose rock. As we climbed up hundreds of feet, I admit to being more than a little nervous. One misstep or slip by my little donkey spelled instant disaster.

I talked to her all the way up the cliff, encouraging her to be careful. However, since she didn’t answer me, I had no choice but to trust her.

There is a character in the Bible who also talked to his donkey as he rode, but his donkey talked back! It is all recorded in Numbers 22-24.

The King and Balaam

The king of the Moabites sent for Balaam and asked him to put a curse on the Israelites on their way through Moab on the way to the Promised Land. The king figured if Balaam put a curse on the Israelites he would be safe.

God let Balaam know he should not put a curse on the Israelite’s because they were God’s chosen people. So, when the Moabites came to Balaam with the king’s request, Balaam refused.

The king sent more emissaries to Balaam with a second request to curse the Israelites. This time the king’s offer included a nice size bribe. Balaam refused the king’s bribe but said he would ask the Lord what he should do.

God told Balaam he could go with the men but that he should only do what God told him to do.

Balaam’s Donkey Talks

The next morning, Balaam saddled up his donkey and set out to meet the Moabite king. However, God knew Balaam’s heart was focused on all that money the king had promised, so God was more than a little upset with him.

God sent an angel with a drawn sword to block Balaam’s path. Balaam didn’t see the angel, but the donkey did, so she swerved off the path to avoid the angel.

Balaam beat his donkey to get back on the path. Once again, the donkey swerved to avoid the angel and Balaam beat her again.

The angel moved to a place where the path was so narrow there was no room to turn in either direction to avoid the angel.

This time the donkey just laid down, refusing to go forward and Balaam beat her again.

Balaam’s donkey had had enough and asked him why he had beaten her these three times. The donkey asked why he hadn’t trusted her.

Finally, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel with the sword. The angel let Balaam know if it hadn’t been for his trusty donkey the angel would have killed Balaam by now.

Balaam knew he was in big trouble and promised to go back if that’s what the angel wanted. The angel said he could go, but that he must do and say only what God commanded.

From here on in his life, Balaam did and said exactly what God directed.

Leadership Lessons from Balaam and His Donkey

Balaam listened to God but rationalized his behavior. As a result, he paid no attention to the roadblocks that came before him. His stubbornness almost cost him his life. In the end, he corrected his course by repenting of his sin and following God completely and unreservedly. There are four lessons leaders should take away from the story of Balaam and his donkey.

Listen to God. Balaam was a seer or prophet for hire. He made a living by blessing and cursing people. Balaam listened and obeyed when God first told him not to go with the Moabites. He allowed the profit motive to cloud his judgment, but ultimately, Balaam obeyed God.

Beware of Rationalizing. But when the Moabites offered him a lot of money, he had second thoughts. That pile of money looked pretty good! In his heart, he wanted to be rich. He rationalized consulting with God once again, even though God had given him a clear direction.

Pay Attention to Roadblocks. Three times the angel of the Lord blocked his path and three times Balaam’s donkey had to take evasive action to avoid the angel. Pay attention when roadblocks keep appearing in front of you, especially when from a trusted friend. Maybe, just maybe, you are off the course God has set for you!

Repent and Recommit. Balaam was stubborn and so determined to meet with the Moabites that it took a talking donkey and the appearance of an angel with a drawn sword to get him to change the condition of his heart. When Balaam finally saw the angel and realized in his heart what he had done, he repented of his sin and committed himself to do whatever the Lord commanded.

The way to avoid the modern-day equivalent of a talking donkey and an armed angel is to obey God in everything He tells us. If we ever rationalize our behavior or ignore roadblocks as we press ahead, we should question whether we are following God’s direction for our lives or our own!

Join the Conversation

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Are there times when you listened to God and tried to obey but allowed your ambitions to drive your behavior? What happened?

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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God