Balaam had to endure many jokes at his own expense. He was a prophet who lacked discernment to a remarkable degree. It took his own donkey to alert him to the presence of an angel who was trying to warn him of a terrible danger.
Balaam lacked both discernment and intuition for what was happening around him. The following observations can be made about Balaam's error:
1. Balaam angered God because he was disobedient and did what he thought was right (Numbers 22:22).
2. It took the angel of the LORD standing in his way to stop Balaam (Numbers 22:23).
3. The prophet could not perceive the angel's blockade (Numbers 22:23).
4. Balaam's own plans consumed his awareness so completely that he beat his donkey for reacting to the angel (Numbers 22:25).
5. God enabled the donkey to speak, so that Balaam would recognize the danger before him (Numbers 22:28).
6. The donkey perceived more than Balaam and interpreted reality for him (Numbers 22:28-30).
7. It took a divine miracle to open Balaam's eyes (Numbers 22:31).
A lack of discernment leads to problems.
No leader can be successful in the long run without sound discernment. Balaam's lack of discernment nearly cost him his life. He had not perceived the presence of the LORD, and by that he recognized his own lack of discernment (Numbers 22:34). God told him he would surely have been killed, had the donkey not seen the angel (Numbers 22:33). When he recognized the danger, Balaam was ashamed. For it is one thing to lack insight; but quite another when your donkey has more of it than you do!
Many leaders today suffer from exactly this predicament. Many factors keep them from recognizing what the moment requires. The following points can be very valuable for reflection here:
1. A tightly packed schedule leaves no room for listening.
2. A fixed agenda fosters a stubborn heart.
3. A Type-A temperament makes it hard to slow down and assess.
4. A strong task orientation leaves little time for people or spontaneity.
5. Looking externally for a solution does not help with spiritual and emotional problems.
Anyone who wants to improve their leadership qualities should pray for better discernment. Searching for the real causes behind current challenges matters greatly here. What does your gut say? Discernment requires both divine intuition and sound common sense.
Numbers 22:21-35
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
31 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.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.