Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Contaminated Obedience” – Saturday, 5 July 2014 - Scripture: Numbers 22:21-35

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Contaminated Obedience” – Saturday, 5 July 2014 - Scripture: Numbers 22:21 Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 God’s anger burned because he went; and Yahweh’s angel placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the way. 24 Then Yahweh’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.
26 Yahweh’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?”
He said, “No.”
31 Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 Yahweh’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. 33 The donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”
34 Balaam said to Yahweh’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”
35 Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak.”
So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 
“Contaminated Obedience” by Wil Watson
Contaminated food is a big problem. Every year nearly 50 million Americans get sick because of it. I’ve had personal experience! One night, when I was in college, I was awakened with my stomach rolling. When I got to the dormitory bathroom, I discovered my roommate suffering the same symptoms. Being a generous guy, I had shared my ham sandwiches with him. Unfortunately, they were spoiled. We had food poisoning. With a friend like me he didn’t need any enemies!
The threat of contamination is everywhere: in the air, water, and soil there are natural toxins and bacteria. It’s pretty scary, and it’s not limited to food. Every aspect of life is affected by it. There’s even spiritual contamination, a real threat to every Christian.
Jesus warned of inner defilement. Hebrews 12:15 admonishes against a “root of bitterness” that defiles and destroys. My explanation of Balaam's bizarre behavior; he had a contamination problem that caused him to abandon his early obedience. Perhaps it was a desire for praise and power. Perhaps it was greed or pride.

First Corinthians 10:12 warns us: “Just because you’re standing now, don’t think you can’t fall” (my paraphrase). So, guarding our thoughts and desires is crucial.

Hymn for Today:

“A Closer Walk With Thee” by Haldor Lillenas copyright 1924, Renewed 1952 by Lillenas Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved.
1. Lord, I am pleading; hear Thou my prayer.
Let me Thy blessed fellowship share.
From day to day Thy servant I’d be.
Grant me a closer walk with Thee.
Refrain:
O for a closer walk with Thee!
Near to Thy side I ever would be.
Shield me and hide me;
Constantly guide me
Into a closer walk with Thee.
Thought for Today:
“In one sense, recovering from failure is getting up every time we fall. But, in another, it is the ability to fall less and, ultimately, avoid falling.”
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Madagascar will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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