No One Made You A Fool
Some Bible stories are just more fun to read than others. Some are more interesting or relatable. I have a few personal favorite stories to read; the lives of Elijah, Jeremiah, and Enoch all fascinate me. But when it comes to “fun” value, there aren’t many passages more entertaining than the story of Balaam. At the same time, however, the account also offers great insight into human nature.
You can pick up the gist of the story in Numbers 22:21-33. Balaam knew who God was and worshipped Him, but apparently he had a weakness. One translation says that he “fell in love with money” and so he agreed to go against God by cursing the nation of Israel. But as he rode to the meeting place, Balaam’s donkey was given the ability to see angels. Since the animal possessed more common sense than its master — as well as a powerful sense of self-preservation — it turned aside. That resulted in a beating, but again the donkey saw an angel with a flaming sword and wisely turned aside. Another beating, another turning aside, and finally Balaam has had it. He savagely beat the animal — and then the donkey began to talk.
“What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” it asked. Balaam gives an unexpected answer: “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” Wait a minute, Balaam. You know who God is and claimed to serve Him. You gave up your integrity for gold and silver. You’re on your way right now to defy the Living God, and your donkey is acting more intelligent than you. Did the animal make you look foolish, or did you make yourself a fool?
The angel explained the donkey’s behavior to Balaam and then said something very interesting: “The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.” The donkey would have been spared even if she had gone straight ahead. It was an act of kindness even to turn away. Though the animal couldn’t talk at that point, the message was clear: don’t go this way! There’s a problem. What you’re doing is dangerous. Stop. But Balaam wanted to be in control, so instead of acknowledging his mistake, he stood there and blamed someone else for his own inability to see.
Too often we are like Balaam. We want to be the sole controller of our lives. We no longer respond to God, having become blind to His word, so He sends guides to help us: friends, youth leaders, pastors, and church elders. They try to help us and direct us to the right path or steer us off of the wrong one. It’s possible that they’re just trying to control your life, but usually they see something you and I don’t. To our shame we can often be found accusing them with similar words, “You have made a fool of me! Why do you criticize every decision I make?”
The truth is that no one made you a fool, so now there’s a tough question to ask yourself: did your counsellors make you look foolish, or did you make yourself a fool by ignoring their wise, well-intentioned advice? The quickest way to look like a fool is to stand there and blame someone else for our own inability to see.
What role have role models and authority figures played in your life? Have you found them to be acting in your best interest, or is it better for you to control everything since you know best? It might be good to consider that question a while before leaving your answer as a comment . . .
Great insights. Even better questions. It is amazing that Balaam “stood there and blamed someone else for his own inability to see.” You’re so right – that is a typical human trait. I hope many people read this and reconsider their approach to seeking counsel.
I am my own worst enemy. “no one made you a fool” ouch. It’s so true though. Thank God for leaders who keep preaching truth until I finally learn to listen.
ps, good picture.