Breath of God Devotionals 3 Ann Thomas

Read: Numbers 22:1- 35 Who is in your “company”?
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Ps.1:1

In our story today Balak sent men to Balaam the prophet asking him to come and curse the people who had come out of Egypt. Balaam invited them to stay in his house and while he enquired of the Lord what to do. God’s first question to Balaam was, “What men are these with thee?” God did not ask this because he was unsure who these men were. God knew exactly who they were and what they wanted. Instead, God was trying to direct Balaam’s attention to discern who he had allowed into his house. Balaam had overlooked all the visible clues that these men had come with an evil intent in their heart. Here were strangers sitting in his house offering him ‘rewards of divination’ trying to get Balaam to prostitute the gift of God which was in him, for the king had heard about the anointing in Balaam “Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed ”Balaam was ignorant as to who this multitude was, but God told him who they were and that the people of were blessed. God clearly told Balaam he was not to go with these men. His ignorance was leading him to doing something which would have been contrary to God and His will.
1) It is important to discern who the people we associate with are. It matters not from where they have come or who has sent them. Don’t we fooled by “name dropping” which people do to gain access. It is important to discern if God has sent them. There are people God will send to you but there are also those who will come with their carnal motives and those whom the enemy sends. “Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” Jer.14:14
2) It is important to discern what they are asking of you. Their requests may seem reasonable and you might even think it would be what God would be pleased with, however it is God who knows all things and the intents of every heart. Joshua and the Israelites were deceived by the Gibeonites into entering a covenant of peace with them because they did not consult with God. “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not [counsel] at the mouth of the LORD.” Jos.9:14 Israel suffered the consequences of this in the days of David.
3) It is important to see what they are offering you. Often times our eyes are blinded and we need the opening of our eyes. Balaam was being given gifts to persuade him to go on that journey. When Balaam refused to go, the men returned a second time to him, this time princes of nobler rank came, the offer was even more attractive, promotion, riches and honour and anything that Balaam desired! The enemy has attractive ways of persuading us so that we will forget the Word God has already told us and we will attempt to manipulate the situation to accommodate the offer being made. Balaam did the same! Balaam makes the same mistake again in allowing these men to lodge with him and then agrees to go and enquire of God a second time. God though very angry allowed Balaam to go because he could see that Balaam would not learn without a lesson. Balaam’s eyes were totally blind. So God had to use a very narrow path, a donkey and an angel with a flaming sword to show Balaam the foolishness of his ways and enlighten his eyes. “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.” Num.22:31
A person sent of God shares the heart of God and will not speak of his own or do anything of his own. This person is not swayed by riches or fame and not influenced by ‘big names”. The person sent of God seeks the counsel of God about everything and does only what God instructs of them. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” May we learn to seek the counsel of God in every matter that comes to us, be it a job, a promotion, a request, a task, a relationship etc When we walk in Gods counsel we will advance the kingdom of God and be on His side and not work against Him. Amen!

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”Ps.32:8,9