‘Balaam’s Ass’
Written by Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, Public Policy Manager
I was asked to share a story that illustrates why personal engagement with elected leaders and candidates is such an important part of advocacy. That’s a dangerous ask of a pastor because we’re inclined towards obscure biblical references. Like, for instance, that story of Balaam’s Ass.
Balaam was a prophet from Pethor back when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. He had the power to bless and to curse and was open to inducement. The King of Moab offered him honors if he would go to Moab and curse the Israelites.
So, Balaam hopped on his faithful little donkey and began the journey. At the time, he kinda-sorta thought God approved. Although, I’m sure the offer of honors from a wealthy King helped him reach that theological conclusion.
While they were on the way, Balaam’s donkey suddenly stopped and refused to move forward.
Balaam got angry and beat the unfortunate creature with his staff, but farther along, it stopped again. And then again. Finally, the donkey turned to look at his master and spoke to him directly to say, “What have I done to you, that you keep beating me? Can’t you see the road is blocked?”
Then, for the first time, Balaam was able to see an angel of the LORD standing in front of them on the road.
Like Balaam, our elected leaders and candidates who become them have the power to bless and to curse, based on the policies they support. They also receive inducements from those with wealth and power that make it easier to do the wrong thing.
There are few in our society who have less visibility than people experiencing homelessness, and when they are noticed, policy makers are often honored for punishing instead of helping them.
Our job as advocates is to be the donkey. We carry the weight of bringing policy makers to a place where they can see what they couldn’t before and bear the brunt of their anger if they don’t like what they see. We speak the truth to them directly to open their eyes to the systemic barriers that prevent every Minnesotan from having a home. We have to disrupt the present path that leads to more suffering. Some may call our refusal to go along with the easy direction of overlooking the housing crisis asinine; we know it’s the holy work of speaking truth to power.
In the end, Balaam listened to what the angel had to say. He went to Moab and blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them. That’s the kind of transformational change advocates can achieve when we are willing to make asses of ourselves, by speaking truth to power about the housing crisis and demanding answers.
We’re going to share ideas for how to do that with candidates in the November election at our upcoming ‘Vision for Home’ event on September 13. Register today to learn how to raise the importance of home this election cycle and beyond, including calling on the candidates to have a public conversation on housing.
