Numbers 24:25 “Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way.”

Most of you have heard the story about Balaam, and you probably only remember the part about the talking donkey.  But there was so much more to the story.  Balak, the King of Moab, offered Balaam a great sum of money and honor if he would curse the Israelites.  You see, Balaam was a prophet and supposedly heard from the gods.  But Balaam was not a true prophet of Yahweh.

The whole story shows how Balaam got a kick out of the attention he was getting.  Even after a donkey talked to him and the One True God spoke to him, he does not change his ways.  He continues to be a prophet for hire.  The verse above says he “arose and departed and returned to his place.”  And for that lack of change, his life is taken by the Israelites in battle.

TEACHING MOMENT

When God speaks to us we should be changed.  We should be on our face in awe and reverence when the Lord decides to speak into our lives with truth and glory.  Our children will observe how we react to God’s activity in our lives.  It is so important for us to show them the proper way to respond to a Holy God.

When we, as a family, have faced a life decision, we have tried our best to explain to our children why we were doing what the Lord asked us.  We made many moves in ministry based solely on the fact that we knew the Lord was directing us.   Some of the moves made no sense at the time, but looking back we can see the hand of God all over it.

How can you as parents speak into your children to cause change?  By being changed yourself!  You have to show your children what change looks like.  You have to allow them to experience your change.  Listen friends, when God speaks things happen.  There should be a change of focus and direction based on how and when He speaks to us.

Will you today allow the Lord to change you, whatever that means?  Will you submit to His authority in your lives?  Or is He going to have to send a talking donkey to you?