I have been intrigued, for a long time, by biblical characters and how they are “refreshingly” inconsistent. Their flaws are obvious: they are not shielded from us. I am grateful that God inspired the Bible so as to include the lapses. Their inconsistencies help me appreciate God’s mercy and grace all the more. I wonder how the experience of Balaam would be written in the modern era. I have attempted such an interpretation. I have included some background and explanations re: Balaam and the “error of Balaam” from: https://bible.org/illustration/way-balaam. I hope the background will be helpful as you read.

“The Way of Balaam
Peter warned against “the way of Balaam,” Jude against “the error of Balaam” and John against “the doctrine of Balaam” (II Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14). God evidently considers these warnings necessary and appropriate for Christians even today.
Yet Balaam, in his day, was a genuine prophet (note II Peter 2:16), possessed great knowledge concerning God, and even received direct revelations from God. What, therefore, were his way, his error, and his doctrine?
• “The way of Balaam” was a readiness to prostitute his high spiritual gifts and privileges for “The wages of unrighteousness” (II Peter 2:14), being willing to preach something contrary to God’s Word for personal gain.
• “The error of Balaam” was evidently his willingness to compromise his own standards of morality and truth in order “greedily” to accommodate those of his pagan patrons (Jude 11).
• Finally, “the doctrine of Balaam,” which even in John’s day was already infiltrating the church, was to use his own teaching authority to persuade God’s people that it was all right for them also to compromise these standards, even “to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14) with their idol-worshipping enemies.
No wonder Micah (the faithful prophet) urged God’s people to “remember” Balaam and his tragic end (Numbers 31:8).
Henry Morris, Source unknown”, https://bible.org/illustration/way-balaam.

Balaam’s Ass

Stubbornly focused, he traveled his course.
Without hesitation, he had no remorse.

Balaam was dressed in his Sunday best suit.
Efficiently traveling the Triple A route.

Exceeding the limit, cruise control set.
An untimely blowout left him upset.

His trusty sedan, he did mightily curse.
Tire changed quickly, back to hasty traverse.

Again, he was halted by mechanical glitch.
He responded with anger, fussed, fumed…and did bitch.

Fixed, and fit as ever before.
He sped even faster, and mightily swore.

The gauge pointed hot, the coolant, it steamed.
Balaam did, too, as he ranted and screamed.

“Curse you, conveyance. I wish you were dead,
Like a beast I could slaughter and shoot in the head.”

But, his focus distorted, such myopic view.
Voracious indulgence was all that he knew.

Not seeing the angel, he threatened his steed.
Not knowing the vision it was trying to heed.

Braying in protest,
With impassioned brass,

“Balaam,” his steed said,
“You are the Ass.”

— Richard L. Brewer

 

 

I do not remember when the following poem was penned. Yet, it reflects a very old, deep-seated sense of inferiority, insecurity, self-doubt, and anxiety. The feelings, which I could not articulate until later in life, were ubiquitous (always and everywhere present) and have led to struggle, recognition of a need for change, and efforts toward growth. A number of gracious, loving people “saw potential” in me and invested in helping me grow. Of paramount importance has been my very often weak love of; and my often fragile trust in God. His love has never been fragile!

Many, maybe most, who know me would be surprised I had such inhibitions and fears. (They still sneak up and bite me in the behind from time-to-time). Thus, I know what is meant by “inferiority complex”. Mediocre. Hmmm. In the view of my Heavenly Father, no way. God does not love me as He loves anyone else. We are not loved equally. (I know that will be stretch for some). But, consider: “We are loved uniquely”: That is better than being equally loved.

My “productions” typically come out in unpolished form. I am very okay with that. They are from me. Sometimes I write as stimulated by others I meet and with whom I work. Yet, they all reflect a bit of me, if not a great deal of me. Hence, even the flaws provide a glimpse of my makeup and character.

 

MEDIOCRE MEANDERINGS

Mighty men and women,
With pedigree so fine,
Intimidate me greatly,
I stand here last in line.

Everyone is better.
Everyone accomplished more.
Me, I’m mediocre,
Mediocre to the core.

But, alas, I sit and wonder,
With my mediocre mind,
If I use this self-description,
To run and hide behind?!

I say, I’m mediocre,
Created, by design,
To give credit to the Father,
So not to say, “The credit’s mine”.

So, I claim mediocre,
No credit comes to me.
Yet, at times I am consumed
By intensely, strong envy.

I deny my contributions,
As I deny God’s gifts, you see.
Thus, I live in mediocre
And, contain both God and me.

I live my life in torment,
Obsessing as I go,
No matter what’s accomplished,
At best, I’m just so-so.

I pen this poem so poorly,
Meanderings no one will read.
I end this feeble effort
With finality and speed.

-Richard L. Brewer

My younger brother, Steve, suggested I start a blog and share some of my “meanderings”. I shared a number of “poems” I had written. He thought they could be beneficial to share and so encouraged me to jump into the blogosphere. So, with some hesitation, here I am. I am not technologically savvy. My phone is a “smarter-than-me-phone”. I learned to type, many years ago, on a manual typewriter. So this is a major leap for me. I hope to challenge, encourage, amuse as I share my musings. I can attribute my “poetic” beginnings to a dear friend of mine, Mark Tappmeyer, Professor Emeritus of Southwest Baptist University. He is a poet, I am a poette. He suggested my creations are “pithy”. (I will share a poem about that later). They are unpolished creations and express a side of me that I hope will resonate with my readers.