One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Tuesday, March 15th

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Read Numbers 22:21-23:30

Balaam and His Donkey

Balaam defied the Lord by going to the Moabite officials. The Lord used an unusual way to communicate to Balaam through his donkey. The Lord sent an angel and had it stand in Balaam's path with a sword. Only the donkey could see the danger it posed his master, so he tried three times to stop Balaam unsuccessfully. With each time Balaam got angrier at his donkey. The Lord even had the donkey talk to get Balaam's attention, but Balaam still resisted.

Finally, the Lord allowed Balaam to see the angel with his sword. and Balaam feel facedown confessing his sin. When Balaam came back to Balak, Balak was angry he hadn't come sooner. But Balaam stayed true to his word and told Balak he could only say what the Lord told him to say. Balak built seven altars and sacrificed a bull and a ram on each altar. 

But instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blessed them as the Lord had told him. Balak was furious as this is not what he paid for. Balak took Balaam to another place thinking that a curse might work on a different group of Israelites. After making sacrifices in the same way as he did the first time, Balaam again blessed these Israelites. Balak takes him to a third place. and we will see what happens tomorrow.

Though Balaam started with greedy motives, eventually he spoke God's truth even under extreme pressure from the King of Moab. We can be confident when we speak God's Word and don't have to apologize for it. After all it is God's Word not ours. May we be as bold to speak God's Word even when it isn't popular. 

Luke 1:57-1:80

The Birth of John the Baptist

When Elizabeth gave birth to John, others wanted her to name the baby after his father Zechariah, but she let them know his name was John. They doubted her, so they turned to Zechariah and tried to get him to communicate through hand motions. When he wrote on a tablet his name was John, the Lord immediately opened his mouth, and he was able to speak again. 

When Zechariah was obedient, God opened his mouth again. When we are obedient to the Lord, God gives us our voice back to be the person we were always meant to be. 

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Zechariah then used his voice to praise the Lord. And his praise revealed the prophecy regarding the man John would introduce to the world. God's son, who would save the people from their sins. John grew up in the wilderness in preparation for when he would fulfill this prophecy and announce the Messiah's coming. 

"What Now" Study Questions:

God used a donkey to steer Balaam from a 'reckless path.' How is God using circumstances in your life to keep you from making destructive choices?

Like Balak, the world will attempt to place words in our mouth. The world will try to make us say false things about God. Ask God to give you strength and courage to speak the Truth!

Read Psalm 58

Read Proverbs 11:12-13

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