Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Finished: Completed, or ended or destroyed (10/23/25)
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TITLE: A Command to Bless | Previous Challenge Entry
By Wilma Schlegel
10/30/25 -
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In near panic he cried, “You blasted beast! Are you trying to make me never walk again? Stop this!” Feeling the seriousness of his predicament he yelled, “Have you gone mad? I’ll put an end to you!” and he beat a blow to the side of the animal’s face.
The animal bawled loudly and then suddenly bolted forward.
The diviner, having lost hold of his animal’s mane grabbed hastily at it again, but too late. He landed hard on the rocky ground of the trail. His donkey trotted onward. He tasted the bile of anger rising from his gut. Absolutely, he thought, when he caught up to the donkey again, he’d put the mad animal out of its misery and enjoy doing it!
It was a painful eternity of limping, trying hard to stay off his crushed foot, until he finally found his donkey again. The animal was standing stock still. He climbed onto its back and prodded forcefully. The donkey wouldn’t budge. Instead, it lay down – the diviner on its back.
The diviner couldn’t take any more. Viciously, he raised his staff.
After he had exhausted himself against the animal, (which lay somewhat broken and not easily able to rise to its feet), something happened that made the diviner think he too must have gone mad.
“What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” a hurting voice begged. (Numbers 22:28b, NIV)
“What? Who speaks?” There was no one there. Just himself and his beast. The donkey spoke? No! The diviner, Balaam, backed away and stared at his 'dumb' animal, his mouth agape. This was freaky, even for a diviner.
In a foolish rush of words, Balaam defended himself. “You have made a fool of me! I wish I could finish you with a sword, but you’re lucky, I have none.”
Then Balaam’s eyes were opened, and he saw the angel of the Lord with his sword drawn against him. He was terrified and fell facedown.
The angel said to him, “You are a reckless and foolish fellow who is not fully committed to the will of God. Your donkey saw me and turned aside these three times, saving you. Had he not turned away, I would have killed you, but I would have spared him. As it is, your animal has saved you.”
Balaam shook in fear thinking back over his regretful actions. He begged of himself, why did I take the Lord’s words as debatable? Why did I not realize that His decision, His plan for His people is set? It is finished. I am a fool. In great fear he confessed his sin to the angel and begged to be spared.
Later, as he met with Balak, king of Moab, a wiser Balaam spoke profound words to the king. “I have received a command to bless: He has blessed and I cannot change it.” Numbers 23:20.
There was more to the devotional story, a paraphrase of Numbers 22 and 23, but Beverly finished here, taken by those words. She closed the book to ponder that last verse she’d read.
This applies to all of God’s creation, she thought. the Lord gives life and life itself is a blessing. Anytime I struggle in my Christian walk I need to remember, I too have received a command to bless (more than once). “Forgive others as you have been forgiven,” Ephesians 4:32. “Love your enemies,” Matthew 5:44. “Bless and do not curse,” Romans 12:14. And of course, “It is finished.” John 19:30.
“He has blessed and I cannot change it.”
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