Guard Your Heart

Balaam was a wicked prophet in the Bible and although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. That is, Balaam did hear from God, and God did give him some true prophecies to speak. However, Balaam’s heart was not right with God, and eventually he showed his true colors by betraying Israel and leading them astray.

Balaam is infamous for beating the donkey who was protecting him from the drawn sword of an angel of the Lord sent to oppose Balaam’s travel. Finally, the donkey, had enough, and the Lord open his mouth: “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times” (V.8)? Well, a talking donkey was not enough to get Balaam’s attention. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So, he bowed low and fell facedown (V.31).

Now the Lord had the attention of Balaam. He would have mine if I witnessed a talking donkey and an angel of the Lord! I would probably still be shaking! Balaam now is instructed by the angel of the Lord, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you” (V.35). This is a powerful reminder, that our bodies physically go where our hearts have already gone. Guard your heart by leading with Love.