DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
READ: Numbers 22 (Focus vs. 22-23 & 25-31)
MEMORY VERSE
“The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times?”” Numbers 22:32
BACKGROUND
In thirteenth-century France, legend has it that a knight left his baby boy at home guarded by his greyhound dog Guinefort. The knight returned to find chaos—the crib overturned, his son nowhere to be seen, and his hound’s mouth covered in blood.
Assuming the dog had harmed his son, he killed it. Afterward, he found the body of a large snake covered in dog bites—and his son unharmed under the cradle. Guinefort had saved the baby’s life.
The dog’s heroism and unjust fate so moved people that they misguidedly revered Guinefort as a saint.
Scripture records a similar incident, in which an animal was unjustly punished for protecting its owner. The prophet Balaam had been hired by the Moabite king to curse God’s people (Numbers 22:4-6).
On Balaam’s journey, an “angel of the Lord . . . with a drawn sword” (v. 23) blocked his path. Balaam’s donkey, seeing the danger, avoided the angel twice—only to be beaten for his efforts (vv. 23, 25). When the donkey could no longer evade the angel, he refused to move and was again punished (vv. 26-27).
Finally, God enabled the donkey to speak and defend itself (vv. 29-30), and then He opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel and heed God’s instructions (v. 31-32).
We’re not likely to hear an animal talk back to us anytime soon, but God can still open our eyes in unexpected ways. When that happens, let’s be prepared to listen.
Monica La Rose
INSIGHT
One wonders how Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet, knew about Yahweh, the one true God. Balaam had a reputation as an effective prophet; that’s why Midian’s King Balak commissioned him (Numbers 22:5-6).
Yet even though God spoke to Balaam (v. 9), he wasn’t righteous. He later advised Midianite women to seduce Israelite men into sexual sin and idolatry (see 25:1-9; 31:15-16).
We serve the God who can open the mouth of a donkey (22:28) and the eyes of a wicked prophet (vv. 31, 34). We can expect Him to open the eyes of those who trust Him and want to serve Him.
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
When has God opened your eyes? How has that changed you?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“…God can still open our eyes in unexpected ways. When that happens, let’s be prepared to listen.”
PR’s TAKE
Thoughtful seekers are not “disturbed” by God’s surprises – *Adapted from *Honore de Balzac/ Pope Frances*
PRAYER
“Gracious God, please help me to hear and respond to Your leading.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE” Joslin Grove Choral Society
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free
Silently now, I wait for Thee
Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my eyes, illumine me
Spirit divine
Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear
And while the wave notes fall on my ear
Everything false will disappear
Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, my God, Thy will to see…
Open my mouth and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share
Silently now I wait for Thee
Ready, my God, Thy will to see
Open my heart, illumine me
