GOD OPENED THE DONKEY'S MOUTH

June 18th

Nb 22:15-30

A brother was threatened by his parents : we will cut off his means of living, etc... Balaq sent again leaders with a considerable present. Actually, behind this was a menace towards Balaam. At the sight of material offering, he let his heart weaken. What was the result ? (17-19)

1. Balaam hits the donkey

When God had seen his heart weaken, he first permited Balaam to leave. All the same, Balaam knew very well what was God's answer, but he asks again what God wants him to do. So God lets Balaam leave (20). But, on the way, Balaam saw his donkey fall down. It was because the Eternal God was angry with him. So Balaam hit the donkey.

2. God opened the donkey's mouth

When the anger of the Eternal God flared because he left, the donkey fell down under him, due to the angel of the Eternal God who was standing on the way. So Balaam hit it, and the Eternal God opened the donkey's mouth, which blamed Balaam (27, 30). Why did God open the donkey's mouth to blame Balaam ? It was the result of Balaam's weakening facing the important present given by the king Balaq. It seems that prophets who let their hearts weaken beause of this kind of material offer are less than a donkey.

Prayer : Lord, be with prophets of this country, help them to not weaken because of material problems, rather that they can hold firm to their reponsability of giving God's word to people

Bottom line : a prophet who is better than a donkey

BALAAM DISCERNS THE WILL OF GOD

June 17^th, 2016

Numbers 22:1-14

In the course of human history, victory and defeat follow continually. Yet, where we discern divine will, there is only victory. Through Balaam's story, we will learn how to interpret God's divine will.

1. Balak sent a gift

The Israelites camped at the border of Moab. The king of Moab was terrified of such a horde of people. Balak sent a gift to Balaam so that he would curse the Israelites. The Bible says the Israelites weren't bothering Moab (Deut. 2 : 6).

2. Balaam refused the gift

It seems that Balaam was someone who knew God well. So how did he react to the messengers sent by Balak ? First, he was very polite (7), so he welcomed them with great protocol and politeness. Second, Balaam was very cautious. He was prudent and separated himself from them in order to reflect. At that moment, Balaam came before God and prayed (8-11). Finally, Balaam had the courage to refuse the gift (13). After a certain length of time, he had decided to refuse this very appealing gift. Without sufficient prayer, we would not be able to refuse such a gift.

Prayer : Lord, sometimes, in spite of our desire to please you and follow your will, we don't know what to do, we know nothing. Help us to be cautious and wise in order to come to you and pray until we understand your will.

Bottom line : pray to discern His will

Meditation of Day

Wesley Dewel said about tears: He said that Jesus understands what crying, praying. The shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept" implies that he himself cried a lot. But Dewel said it must be clear that our tears are not tears shed because of self-pity. Such tears can be basically mundane. The tears from self-pity can give the momentary release frm tension. Because "a moment noisy of a cry" may alleviate the desperate and raise the morale of dispirited. But if a wound is sinking after the tears, it would be a weapon of evil. When the donkey said to Balaam, "Why do you strike me? "Balam said," because you upset me. "Balam did not know God's angel prevented her animal in anger and led him into his benevolent will, but he thought only of himself and was angry. It is the nature of the self-centered man. Tears can be self-centered and carnal. Dewel talked about several spiritual reasons for the tears I like to quote on this occasion. He says first that we must cry because the man has abandoned God. Then we have to cry because sin is spread in the exponential speed. Third, we must cry because as people of God we are spiritually asleep. We must also cry because the Lord's Day is approaching and we have before us many unfulfilled tasks.



Wesley Dewel dit au sujet des larmes : Selon lui, Jésus comprend ce qu’est pleurer en priant. Le verset le plus court de la Bible, « Jésus pleura. » en dit long que lui-même pleurait beaucoup. Mais Dewel dit qu’il faut être clair que nos larmes ne soient pas les larmes versées à cause de l’apitoiement de soi. De telles larmes peuvent être fondamentalement mondaines. Les larmes d’apitoiement de soi peuvent donner la libération momentanée des tensions. Parce qu’ « un tapage de pleure » peut soulager le désespéré et hausser le moral du découragé. Mais si une plaie s’enfonce après les larmes, ce serait une arme du malin. Quand l’ânesse dit à Balam « pourquoi me frappes-tu ? » Balam dit, « parce que tu me contrarie. » Balam ne savait pas l’ange de Dieu empêchait son animal dans la colère et le conduisit dans sa volonté bienveillante, mais il ne pensait qu’à soi-même et se fâcha. C’est le caractère de l’homme autocentré. Les larmes peuvent être autocentrées et charnelles. Dewel parle de plusieurs raisons spirituelles qui justifient les larmes que j’aime citer à cette occasion. Il dit d’abord, qu’il faut pleurer parce que l’homme a abandonné Dieu. Ensuite il faut pleurer parce que le péché se propage de la vitesse exponentielle. En troisième lieu, nous devons pleurer parce qu’en tant que peuple de Dieu nous sommes spirituellement endormis. Nous devons pleurer aussi parce que le jour du Seigneur s’approche et que nous avons devant nous beaucoup de tâches non accomplies.

Meditation of Day

Number 22 to Lc 1 (Parallele between Balam and Mary)

The visit of the delegation from Balak to Balam reminds us of the visit of the angel to Mary. Of course visitors or masters sending delegates are different. It is the same for the result. But the reaction of the recipients is the same. Balam was cautious before deciding his action. He thought deeply and finally decided to refuse gifts and King's proposal. Circumspect Mary reflected on what might have been in such a greeting. Mary finally decided to obey to the will of God to become the mother of Jesus even though this entails great suffering in human terms (she was betrothed to Joseph). Balam also would be tempted to listen to the request of Balak and his refusal decision would have caused him serious trouble from the political perspective. Mary was a godly woman. In front of the message, she was not rushed to decide. But she retired to seek God's will. Those who do not pray never experience God nor victory. Especially they are unable to be inspired by a spirit of God. Many Christians live according to their feeling to finally resign themselves to the selfish and helpless life. It is a life, whatever outwardly quiet, of failure. So we can say that circonspection is a prerequisite for a triumphant Christian. 1 Corinthians 13: 5 says that love is patient. The impatience of Moses to the rebels took away the privilege to go in the promised land. In human history, success and defeat succeed repeatedly. But success is to the one who seeks God with humble and circumspect attitude.



La visite de la délégation de Balaq chez Balam nous rappelle la visite de l’ange chez Marie. Bien sûr que les visiteurs ou les maîtres d’envoi sont différents. Il en est de même pour le résultat. Mais la réaction des receveurs est même. Balam était circonspect avant de décider son action. Il réfléchit profondément et finalement a décidé de refuser les cadeaux et la proposition du roi. Marie circonspect a réfléchi sur ce qu’aurait signifié de telle salutation. Finalement Marie a décidé d’obéir à la volonté de Dieu de devenir mère de Jésus quoi que cela implique une grande souffrance dans le plan humain (elle était fiancée à Joseph). Balam aussi il aurait été tenté d’écouter la demande de Balaq et sa décision de refus aurait lui provoqué un ennui grave du point de vue politique. Marie était une femme pieuse. En face du message, elle n’était pas précipitée de décider. Mais elle se recueillit afin de chercher la volonté de Dieu. Ceux qui ne prient pas n’expérimentent jamais la volonté de Dieu ni la victoire. Surtout ils sont incapables d’être inspiré par un courage de Dieu. Beaucoup de chrétien vivent selon leur sentiment pour finalement se résigner dans la vie égoïste et impuissante. C’est une vie, quoi que tranquille extérieurement, en échec. Ainsi, peut-on dire que la circonspection est une condition préalable pour un chrétien triomphant. 1 Corinthien 13 :5 dit que l’amour est patient. L’impatience de Moïse envers les rebelles lui enleva le privilège d’entre dans la terre promise. Au cours de l’histoire humaine, se succèdent le succès et la défaite. Mais le succès est à celui qui cherche la volonté de Dieu avec une attitude humble et circonspect.

EDOM REFUSED TO HELP ISRAEL

Nb 20:14-29

Sometimes, we put our hopes in our friends or in loved ones concerning our personal affaires, but when this hope is broken, we are disappointed and bitter. In such a case, let us think how Moses acted.

1. Edom refused to help Israel (1-14, 21)

Passing by Kadesh, Moses demanded help from Edom, his brother, descendant of Esau, Jacob's brother. He demands his help in order to pass by his territory. But Edom refused and he sent many armed people to stop Moses. We don't understand this reaction, maybe he was jealous of the Israelite's blessing and health. In Korea, there is a maxim : « if a cousin buys a field, you have a stomachache ». It's the nature of mankind. If you see loved ones who are younger or healthy, you feel jealous. But, in spite of his heavy heart, Moise looked for another way, walking around the country. He doesn't hold it against him, but he relied on the Eternal God, who surely will give him the way, and he kept going.

2. Moses unrobed Aaron and dressed his son Eleazar

They went from Kadesh to arrive at the montain of Hor, then God ordained Moses to remove Aaron's sumptuous priestly clothing and to dress his son. Aaron, who had disobeyed God in Meriba wasn't able to enter the promised country ; he must disappear like the morning dew. The Eternal God's word remains eternally, and the glory of this world evaporates like a flower of the field, as shown in Aaron's story.

Prayer : Thank you Lord, give us your grace, so we don't hope excessively in mankind, you are our only support, it's you who gives and takes the priestly robes.

Bottom line : for fear of hoping too much

Meditation of day

Meditation of Day
Dr. Samuel Lee said, "patience is the mother of love. "(1 Cor 13: 5) When Moses lost his patience, he lost his blessing (Ps 106: 33). He was forbidden to enter the promised land that he aspirated so intensively.
If you are a leader, it is imperative to acquire this noble character. As the maxim of French origin, "the noblesse oblige." The perfect example of this nature is found in Jesus Christ. He endured sinners who were constantly rebelling against him unto be crucified (Heb 12: 3).
Moses was once a shepherd who even prayed to God to forgive the Israelites by felling on him the judgment for them. But now, because he struck the rock twice, it is forbidden to put feet in Canaan. What fate of sort, and what cruel punishment! But in this way God has shown the importance of responsibility. We like the leading position, but we avoid the responsibility for the consequence of the breach of it is so heavy. Thus, the false personality is formed in one person. The spirit of abandonment is common nowadays, especially in the broken family.
Moreover, this fact of Moses shows us that the fact that a person assumes the role well does not guarantee consecutive victory. The good shepherd Moses was deprived because of the souring of mind once. St. Augustine said that the first Christian virtue is humility and the second humility and third humility also. Here we find that patience is the first virtue of a Christian and the second as the patience and the third also patience. As patience continues, we feel a good caracter be graved. Paul exhorts to aspirate the best gift, surely it is love. Among the attributes of love, patience is first. So patience is the pearl of human nature. C. S. Lewis said that obedience is the path to freedom, fidelity to the (spiritual) pleasure and the unity to the personality. Patience is possible when nature is united and consistent. It bears a noble personality. How, in front of the event who does not turn as we expected, it is easy for us to give to nervousness.

Méditation du jour

Dr Samuel Lee dit, « la patience est la mère de l’amour. » (1Co 13 :5) Quand Moïse perdit la patience, il perdit la bénédiction (Ps 106 :33). Il lui était interdit d’entrer dans la terre promise si tant aspiré.

Si on est leader, il faut absolument acquérir ce caractère noble. Comme cette maxime d’origine française, « la noblesse oblige ». Le parfait exemple de ce caractère se trouve en Jésus-Christ. Il endurait les pécheurs qui ne cessaient de se rebeller contre lui jusqu’à être crucifié (Hé 12 :3).

Moïse a été une fois un berger qui a même prié Dieu qu’il pardonne aux Israélites en faisant tomber sur lui le jugement destiné à eux. Mais maintenant, du fait qu’il a frappé deux fois le rocher, il lui est interdit de mettre les pieds au pays de Canaan. Quel jeu de sort triste, et quelle cruelle punition ! Mais ainsi Dieu a montré l’importance de la responsabilité. On aime la position de leader, mais on évite la responsabilité car la conséquence du manquement de celle-ci est si lourde. Ainsi, la fausse personnalité se forme en une personne.  L’esprit d’abandon est monnaie courant de nos jours, surtout dans la famille brisée.  

De plus, ce fait de Moïse nous fait voir que le fait qu’une personne assume bien le rôle ne garantit pas le succès consécutif. Moïse le bon berger fut déchu à cause de l’aigrissement de l’esprit d’une fois. Saint Augustin dit que la première vertu du chrétien est l’humilité et la seconde l’humilité et la troisième aussi l’humilité. Ici, nous trouvons que la patience est la première vertu d’un chrétien et la second aussi la patience et la troisième également la patience. La patience se poursuivant, on sent se graver un bon et noble caractère. Paul exhorte à expirer le meilleur don, sûrement c’est l’amour. Parmi les attributs de l’amour, la patience est la première. Donc, la patience est la perle du caractère de l’homme. C.S. Lewis dit que l’obéissance est le chemin vers la liberté, la fidélité vers la plaisir (spirituel) et l’unité vers la personnalité. La patience est possible quand le caractère est uni et constant. Elle enfante une personnalité noble. Combien, en face de l’événement qui ne se tourne pas comme on a prévu, on est facile à se donner à l’énervement.  

THE ERROR THAT THE PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO COMMIT

Numbers 20:1-13

Where people are gathered, there are those who follow and those who lead. It's the same for the commmunity of God. Today's word teaches us about the errors that the followers and the leader are likely to commit.

1. The error that the people had committed.

They were at Kadesh, and water was lacking. People started to murmur again and assembled themselves together against Moses. When we are guided by a leader, the most common error committed is that of complaining about the leader. God's people should not commit this error simply because things don't turn out the way they want. Instead, we should have the habit of considering God's will for us (Romans 8:28).

2. The error that Moses, the leader, committed.

The Eternal God told Moses to take his staff and hit the rock (8). So, Moses hit the rock twice. Due to the people's rebellion, Moses became bitter and irritable. The result of the anger and bitterness of spirit in Moses was very serious (12 ; Psalm 106:33). It was due to impatience. Yet, patience is the mother of love (1 Corinth. 13:5).

Prayer : Lord, whether we are leaders or followers, help us to seek your will, to give thanks to you. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus who bore with sinners.

Bottom line : our leader Jesus who bore with sinners (Hebrews 12:3)