Divine Detours Ahead

Published February 11, 2026

Numbers 22

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | Sherry Thorn

Walking in the Way in 2026 has been adventurous for me. It’s an invitation – to enter the ancient world of the Bible together. But also, a calling, to read the stories and see my own self in it. Where do I find myself in the tale of Balaam and his talking donkey? Am I King Balak, Balaam, the Israelites, or the donkey?

The story opens with Balak, king of Moab, who watched Israel defeat the surrounding nations and became filled with fear. Seeing himself powerless, he sent for Balaam, a well-known diviner, pleading, “Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me” (Numbers 22:6). God warned Balaam not to go and declared that Israel was not cursed, but blessed. At first, Balaam obeyed and refused Balak’s offer. However, when tempted by promises of honor and reward, he gave in and set out on his journey. Though God permitted him to go and commanded him to speak only His words,

Balaam’s divided heart angered the Lord.

As he went, the angel of the Lord stood in the pathway. The angel was hidden from Balaam, but the donkey saw the angel, turned off the road and into the field. Balaam beat his donkey and continued on his way. Again, the angel of the Lord stood in front of him. This time in a path between two vineyards with a wall on either side. The donkey feared the angel and she pushed against the wall – crushing Balaam’s foot. Balaam struck the donkey again. The road narrowed even more and “the angel stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left” (Numbers 22:26b). This time when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she laid down. Balaam became even angrier than before and struck her with his staff.

Then the Lord opened her mouth. She spoke and asked Balaam why he struck her three times, despite her faithfulness to him. He replied that if he had a sword and not a stick, he would kill her. She asked Balaam if she has ever treated him poorly and he said, “No.” Then “the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell to his face” (Numbers 22:31).

The angel of the Lord then asks Balaam, “Why did you strike your donkey these three times?” and declared that had his donkey not turned aside from him, he would have killed Balaam with his sword and allowed his donkey to live.

If I am honest, I have been King Balak - fearful and wishing curses on anyone who threatened my belongings or my person. And worse, using my influence to persuade another to join me in the battle. I have been Balaam – refusing to see that the path I travelled was in opposition to God and would only lead to death; unbending and angry at anyone who tried to speak truth into my life. Now, because I surrendered my life to Jesus, He tells me I am like the Israelites. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). But I would say that I most want to be like Balaam’s donkey; obedient, faithful, speaking life, and defended by God. Who are you?

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