from Lenae, GEMS training manager
THE HIGHWAY OF THE UPRIGHT
The highway of the upright avoids evil; he (she) who guards his (her) way guards his (her) life.
Proverbs 16:17
As a child, the first time I heard the story about Balaam and the talking donkey, it sent me into a fit of giggles. Can you imagine such a thing – a donkey that talks? What’s not difficult to picture is someone choosing a wrong path even when God made it clear before departure, during the journey, and at the arrival, that this is not His will. Maybe you’ve seen that in others. Maybe like me, you’ve seen it in your life.
The elders of Moab and Midian were terrified of the Israelites. They witnessed what they had done to the Amorites and feared they would be next. So they asked Balaam to come with them to put a curse on the people of Israel. They were prepared to pay for his services.
From all outward appearances, Balaam seems to be walking on the highway of the upright. “Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will bring you back the answer the LORD gives me.” But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed” (Numbers 22:8, 12).
The next morning Balaam obediently delivered the message. The LORD has refused to let me go with you” (Numbers 22:13). They begged him again, sending more numerous and more distinguished princes, plus increasing the size of Balaam’s reward. Balaam asked the LORD again, and this time He gave consent for the purpose of cursing instead of blessing the Moabites.
When Balaam saddled his donkey for Moab to go where he should’ve never gone, to do what he should’ve never asked permission to do, God was very angry. Using an angel and a donkey, the LORD turned Balaam off the road, had his foot crushed against a wall, and had the donkey rebuke him.
Balaam tried to straddle two roads. Outwardly he looked like he was obeying God, but inwardly he was motivated by greed. In time, his true self was unmasked. He was walking the highway of wrong living, and experienced the painful consequences that so often correlate to bad choices.
Walking two roads may seem like it works for a time, but like Balaam our true selves will be revealed, and the curtain will open and reveal the masquerade. There’s no fooling God (Psalm 94:8-9). Wrong paths come with painful consequences, but the highway of the upright avoids evil; he (she) who guards his (her) way guards his (her) life (Proverbs 16:17).
Wisdom Step: Are you choosing a path that God has made clear is not His will? If so, what course correction will you make today?
Every path that leads to heaven is trodden by willing feet.
No one is every driven to paradise.
Howard Crosby
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