Loose Threads

Loose Threads

Numbers 22:7 – So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fee for divination in their hand. They came to Balaam and reported to him the words of Balak. 8 – He replied to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will bring back to ou whatever word the LORD may speak to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Verse 9 – And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 – Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent a message to me, saying, 11 – “Look, a nation has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and put a curse on them for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out.”

verse 12 – But God said to Balaam, “You must not go with them; you must not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 13 – So Balaam got up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your land, for the LORD has refused to permit me to go with you.” 14 – So the princes of Moab departed and went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

Notice how the princes of Moab did not give Balak an accurate report. Balaam had said to them “the LORD has refused to permit me to go with you.” But in their report all they said was “Balaam refused to come with us.” God was not mentioned at all.

There’s another point to note as well. Balaam’s answer was indicative of the LORD’s command and was not reflective of Balaam’s personal desire. Balaam really wanted to go with them. He had not surrendered his will to God.

These points may seem insignificant but they are the loose threads the devil uses to unravel our lives. Balak was given the impression that Balaam did not want to go – the true reason was withheld from him. Maybe the messengers were not distinguished enough; maybe the divination fee was inadequate. Balak only thought that the one who needed convincing was Balaam. He had no idea he was acting against God. Balaam reported God’s answer to the messengers, but it lacked personal conviction and left a way open for Balak to try again.

What loose threads do we have in our lives? Do we convey mixed messages when God’s will conflicts with our own? Let us follow Jesus’ example when in the Lord’s prayer and in the garden of Gethsemane He said these words: “Your will be done.” – Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:42.