One Year Bible Blog: March 15th readings

One Year Bible Blog: March 15th readings

I have to admit that the Numbers reading for today strikes me as, well, odd. In yesterday's reading, God grants permission for Balaam to go talk to Balak. Today He's planning ambushes. That just doesn't make sense. And then there's the whole "talking donkey" thing. I half expect to see Shrek pop up tomorrow. ;)

To me, this whole story derives it's meaning not as factual events, but as allegory. While I think it's certainly possible that Balaam's donkey literally spoke, it's completely unimportant to me. I know this will upset my more literal-minded compatriots, but I think treating the Bible, especially the first five books, as history does it a disservice. More important to me is the message behind the story. And the message I'm taking away from this story is the danger of false pride. For all Balaam's alleged power, insight, and influence, he was saved from a danger he didn't even see by the lowliest of servants. Taking him off his "high horse" (or talking donkey, as the case may be)

Balaam thought he knew exactly what God wanted and didn't want. It took a beast of burden to show him the error of his ways.

Of course, it would be the height of irony for me to say all of that, and then not be open to the very real possibility that I may be guilty of the exactly same thing. After all, I'm posting here, saying what I think God meant here. And I may be completely off base. I just hope my eyes will be open to my own 'donkeys' pointing out  my errors.