The Path We Travel
Numbers 22:31-35
Have you ever asked yourself, “How in the world did I end up here?”
The answer could be found on the path that you have traveled. The
pathway principle simply means that the direction determines
destination. Where you end up in life depends on the path you are
walking rather than your intentions, wishes, or desires. If you drive
north from Atlanta, you will not end up in Florida—no matter how much
you wish, hope or intend to go there. Balaam travels a path that is
leading him in the wrong direction and God causes the donkey he is
riding on to speak to him. The angel of the Lord stands in Balaam’s
path and tells him: “I have come here to oppose you because your path
is a reckless one before me” (Numbers 22:32).
The path of peer pressure: Twice, Balak the king of Midian, sends
some of his men to Balaam, wanting to pay him to put a curse on the
Israelites. Numbers 22:15 it says, “Then Balak, the king of Midian sent
other princes more numerous and more distinguished than the first.”
The path of personal gain. The king uses riches to entice Balaam. In
Numbers 22:17 he says, “I will pay you very well and do whatever you
tell me just come and curse these people for me.”
The path of pride. God opens the mouth of a donkey and instead of
seeing the miracle, Balaam argues with the donkey! Balaam in his pride
didn’t see the angel of the Lord. He didn’t see that his path was going
to lead to death. 2 Peter 2:15, “They have forsaken the right way and
gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved
the wages of unrighteousness.”
The path of obedience. The path of obedience starts with humility. In
Psalm 119:105, it says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
my path.” God’s word lights the path. God gives us His map that guides
us onto the right path.
Discussion Guide
Who is the most stubborn person or animal you have ever tried to
reason with? When have you ever ignored “obvious warning signs” in
life, only to realize later what was happening? Balaam initially said no
to King Balak, then went back to God when a better offer and more
prestigious messengers arrived. How do we rationalize bending or
breaking God’s rules when the “payout” or pressure gets higher? Why is
it so ironic that a pack animal had more spiritual perception than a
professional prophet? What “donkey moments” has God used in your
life—unexpected interruptions, roadblocks, or uncomfortable truths—to
get your attention when you were blinded by your own agenda? How
does this story reassure us that human malice or opposition cannot
thwart God’s sovereign promises? • Later in scripture (Numbers 31 and
Revelation 2:14), we learn that Balaam advised Balak to entice Israel
into idolatry and sexual immorality when he couldn’t curse them
directly. Why is indirect compromise often more dangerous than direct
defiance? • How do we guard our hearts against quiet drifts away from
obedience?