Numbers 22:28-29 KJV, “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? 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.”
Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels, Vol 1, 1870, Ch 30, P 320, Steam Press, Battle Creek, MI: “Balaam had been a prophet of God, and a good man; but he apostatized, and gave himself up to covetousness, so that he loved the wages of unrighteousness. At the time Balak sent messengers for him, he was double-minded, pursuing a course to gain and retain the favor and honor of the enemies of the Lord, for the sake of rewards that he received from them. At the same time, he was professing to be a prophet of God. Idolatrous nations believed that curses might be uttered which would affect individuals, and even whole nations.”
EG White continues in p. 322, “The anger of the Lord was kindled against Balaam because he went; and he sent his angel to stand in the way, and to slay him for his presumptuous folly. The beast saw the angel of the Lord, and turned aside. Balaam was beside himself with rage. The speaking of the beast was unnoticed by him as anything remarkable, for he was blinded by passion. As the angel revealed himself to Balaam, he was terrified, and left his beast and bowed in humility before the angel. He related to Balaam the word of the Lord, and said, ‘I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me.'”
Balaam represents the those in the church who are sincere yet loved not the truth but love worldly treasures more than the Word of God. The beast (ass, donkey) represents those who are manipulated but would stand up for themselves in times of danger. I believe this is an actual event narrated in Numbers. Some would allegorize and spiritualize this passage but miss the lesson. God hates covetousness for it leads to idolatry.
Many believe in the apparitions and statues crying with bleeding blood. Yet would doubt the talking donkey and Balaam. I have no doubt because the Word of God is true.
Exodus 20:17 KJV, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Greed is love for self which is heart worship. We are called to worship the only True God and Jesus Christ, His Son today. We worship the Lord from our hearts not worshipping our own hearts.
Matthew 6:21 KJV, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Today’s Sabbath Service we will hear another testimony from one of our brothers in the faith via Zoom ID: 916 891 5581 PW: TrueGod at 11am US Eastern Standard Time. Thank you so much for your support.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.