Don’t Try to Open a Closed Door
Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately wanted an opportunity that felt right for you? Maybe a job, a relationship you thought was surely the right one, or a next step that felt so certain in your heart — yet no matter how hard you tried, the door stayed firmly shut. It has happened in my life more than once. Looking back, I now realize it was the grace and mercy of God that kept me from stepping into things that would have harmed me. Trust me, I’m no saint. I’ve made my share of mistakes, which is partly why I believe God has put that inspiration in me to write these blogs.
Now, what does this have to do with the price of tomatoes? I was reading Numbers 22–24 and came across the familiar story of Balaam and Balak. Balaam’s name means “not of the people.” He wasn’t an Israelite, yet somehow he had a connection with God. Balak, whose name means “devastator,” was the king of Moab, terrified of Israel and seeked Balaam to curse them.
Balak first sent the elders of Moab and Midian with the diviner’s fee — plus a promise of great honor — to hire Balaam. Balaam did the right thing by going to God, and God said no. But on the second attempt, he sent the princes of Moab himself to Balaam again to persuade him, he said he would seek God. This time, God answered, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them.” But the next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and left. Verse 22 says God’s anger burned because he went, and the Angel of the Lord opposed him.
Why was God upset when He permitted Balaam to go? The answer is in the detail: Balaam ignored the condition. God wasn’t angry that he went; He was angry how he went. Deep inside, Balaam wanted the reward and the honor. His heart leaned toward the benefits even though his words sounded spiritual. He wanted to go even when God had said no (2 Peter 2:15–16; Jude 1:11).
One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that when I pray, I must not expect God to only say “yes.” “No” and “wait” are just as much God’s answers for my good. Balaam couldn’t accept the no. And as he went, his donkey kept turning aside because it saw the Angel of the Lord — something Balaam completely missed. This is what happens when we push open a door God is closing: our spiritual eyes grow dim while our natural desires take over. God had to open the donkey’s mouth to wake Balaam up, and only then were Balaam’s eyes opened.
In the prophecies that followed, Balaam sought God in the first two, but didn’t seek Him in the next two. Yet God Himself put His Spirit on Balaam and blessed Israel anyway. By the end, Balak’s anger burned, and Balaam went home. But before leaving, he advised Balak how to lead Israel into sin — and later, he was killed by Israel for it.
Sometimes the greatest protection God gives us is a closed door, and the greatest blindness we experience is wanting it open anyway. When God says no, it’s not rejection — it’s redirection.
Every prayer, share, and act of support is deeply appreciated.
