Balaam
Balaam was a prophet in the Bible it is toldA man who God used but his inspiration he soldHe was very blest his prophesies were trueAnd his reputation was known in the land- right through
One day to his amazement there came from the southWealthy Princes on horseback, made him drool from the mouthSeeing their gifts and hearing their pleading requestsHe tried to portray dignity, the reply came with pompous breaths
"I will" he extruded holding his hands in holy poise,"Make request to my God away from all this noise"So to his room he hastened all the time thinking in his mindOf that chariot with built in musician, a red one he was inclined.
God was very definite "Do not go with them nor heed their appealsIsrael are my blest people, my special ones, those to whom I deal"So Balaam with long face came and relayed the reply"Go back home again I'm forbidden to come," deeply he did sigh
The Princes departed with a clatter and cloud of dust,The prancing horses and music made his heart lustHe stood and watched until they disappeared from sightThe lost of income and status did his heart bite
Then to his amazement but a few long weeks laterAnother train was sighted his servants prepared and cateredThe Princes had even more affluence, far above traditionTheir chariots had not one but two, stereo musicians
They came with an open cheque book, nothing was unreachableWith promises of great honour, a title was conceivableBut to his hollow credit he spoke the right wordsHe could say nothing but that which he had heard.
Blinded by lust he thought not to pass up this chanceHe rushed inside to seek God, hoping to change his mind onceGod saw what possessed him that Balaam should bother to pleadWhen he had already said no, God was very displeased
"Yes but only if they ask you again- and then only sayThe words that I tell you -there is no other way"God's message to him- Balaam gave some credenceBut was already gone -before God finished his sentence
The next morning Balaam made ready without even heedingThe message to send them home and wait- to return with pleadingAshamed of his practical reliable vehicle- his ten year old ass,He made sure he fancied it up so it didn't appear so crass
He summoned both of his servants, they were all he could affordHad them dress in his spare best clothes, no detail ignoredThen up on the ass he mounted- down the path he rodeFollowing the ostentatious procession of wealth that flowed
All traveled smoothly until the ass began to strayIt kept veering off the path, Balaam beat it to obeyThen to his consternation his foot crushed against a wallHe let out some loud expletives, then apologized to all
Balaam used his rod to beat him and made him walk againUntil he reached a narrow path an unturnable laneThe ass sat down refused to move, that made Balaam more irateHe kicked his ass, pulled and shoved, he was in quite a state
"You stupid ass, what's the matter with you", His two servants tried to pull"I will beat you again- you worthless beast, you make me look a fool"Perhaps he had had deep conversations with his mule beforeAnd when the speech was over the donkey said "eee - aaw"
But this time he not think it strange -when he heard a mans' voice speakingFrom his fallen dumb ass- the words they were proceeding"Why have you three times beat me? what wrong have I done?"Balaam replied, “Because I am humiliated, because you wont run."
"If I had a sharp sword in my hand -I would have killed youSo you had better hurry and decided what you will do"Those standing by listening- mouth open- wide eyed,Not believing what they heard when the ass then replied
"Have I not been good thus far- have I not your loads bore?Have I ever treated you this way, or annoyed you this way before?"To Balaam's his darkened vision came an alarming sightStanding in his pathway stood an angel in his might
With a sword in his hand ready -drawn to cleave asunderThe same fate Balaam promised his ass who from the path did wanderBalaam shocked at the sight, then fell down to the groundRealizing that he was no better than his ass, seemed quite profound
"Why did you beat your beast, why with words berated?Had it not been for her -you would have been decapitatedBecause your way is perverse I withstood you to your faceIt would be better if you had not lived, gone without trace"
"Go now continue -but do not expect the victors' songOn your return empty handed -there will be no dancing throngJust say the words I tell you, no more or no lessThe words you will speak, will not Balak impress."
Although Balaam did follow the commandment of the LordHe still hankered for the things Balak offered for rewardSo to the king he sent a letter, words that did sayThere is another option, there is another way
The only way to conquer is to make God angry with themSo entice them with idols and girls their affections to winIn a Las Vegas style spectacle with frolics and festivitySend your most beautiful woman -use your creativity.
The result of the saga caused the deaths of many menWhile Balaam enjoyed his rewards, basking in the glenHis unrighteousness gave him wealth, but the die then was castHe would meet a gruesome end, no glory at the last.
The moral is this- be not determined to make your own choiceBe watchful, not distracted- listen carefully to God's voice.
27 July 2008References:Numbers 22 to 24 Read OnlineNum 31:8 Deu 23:4 Jos 13:22 2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam theson of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumbass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error ofBalaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrineof Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat thingssacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Josephus's Account of Balaam- Antiquities of the Jews Book 4 Read chapter 6
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14© Stephen Share 2008