Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
I have seen people who treat their pets like humans but here, Peter tells the story of an animal speaking like a human to Balaam! Sometimes, the animals have more sense. Peter wrote this, some of the last words from him, as he faced persecution and shared martyrdom with Paul in Rome. Those must have been bleak times as the two foremost leaders of the church were gone and the world was filled with godlessness. They were in madness and looked for all the world like they were going to destroy the church before the first generation was out. Peter comforted them later with these words.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise
This must have been a comfort.
These words are certainly a comfort to us today! Now, people say in surveys they would save a dog before a human. They are forsaking the right way and calling their own way right. They lie cheat and steal, all the while demanding their rights. We could fear that it could be the end for the church. Let us learn the lesson of the first century church, that the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise. He has a plan and you are part of it. The road is hard but it leads to the Kingdom. Stay the course!
Dear Lord, thank you that you have made a way and a promise and that neither one will fail. Help us to trust your timing in joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church