In the Book of Numbers chapter 22 the nation of Israel has been on a 40 year
tour of the dessert. They are headed for the promised land of Canaan. Israel is
entering Canaan from the East and is in the plains of Moab. The plains of Moab
are a 10 mile stretch along the rift valley that goes up into the hill country
of Jordan. The Israelites are there waiting to enter into the land of Canaan.
The King of Moab is a fellow by the
name of Balak. Balak is not convinced that Israel is simply going to leave him
and his Kingdom alone. He is worried because Israel is powerful and has heard
of their recent victories in battle. Balak wants to figure out a way to get the
upper hand on the Israelites. In Numbers 22:4-5 we read about Balak’s plan “So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of
Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at
Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said: “A people has
come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.
6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for
me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land.
For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”
Apparently Balak’s plan is to hire a prophet by the name of
Balaam. Balaam lives in a place called Pethor. Most scholars suggest that
Pethor was about 450 miles away from Moab in Mesopotamia. It is estimated that
to reach Pethor from Moab would take about 20 to 25 days. The reason why Balak
wants Balaam is because Balaam is world famous. He is internationally known.
Before there was Pitbull there was Balaam.
Balaam is a pagan prophet and thus is not a prophet like
Jeremiah or Samuel in the Bible. He is a prophet that works with other gods and
goddesses of his area. Balaam is known as a seer or a diviner. What that means
is that he claims the ability to discern the future. In the ancient world
Balaam might cast lots or examine the liver of an animal to discern what might
occur in the future. Being a seer in the ancient world would also mean that you
had some working knowledge of animals. You would have to understand what the
flight pattern of birds might mean or what it might mean for a herd of animals
to act differently. Being aware of animal behavior, for a person like Balaam,
offered intel on what might occur in the future.
Not only is Balaam a gifted seer but he is also gifted in
the area of sorcery. A seer is able to discern the future and a sorcerer is
able to influence or change the future. It was understood that Balaam had the
ability to influence the gods in an area to affect for good or ill the people
living in that area. If a sorcerer blessed a group of people or an area then
good things would come. If a sorcerer cursed an area or group of people then
all kinds of bad things would come. Balak wants Balaam to come and weaken the Israelite people by placing a curse on them. Once they are weak then Balak can attack and be assured of victory. Balaam has a reputation of being the guy who can do this for Balak. In fact he is so famous that there is an artifact called "The Deir
'Alla Inscription". It mentions Balaam some 300 years after his death. He is
that well known. Balak says that is the guy I want. That is who I need. This is
an issue of national security and I will do whatever is needed to get him
As you read the rest of Numbers 22 you discover that Balaam,
while a pagan prophet, is aware of the God of Israel. When Balaam requests God’s
input on what he should do with Balak’s request God tells Balaam no. The reason
for this is found in Genesis 12:2-3. God is having a conversation with Abram who
will become known as Abraham and says “I
will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name
great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and
whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed
through you.”
Genesis 12:2-3 is a major moment in God’s plan of
redemption. God tells Abraham that he is going to partner with him and his decedents
to bring about redemption for the whole world. When God says no to Balaam it is
an act of protection. God is attempting to let Balaam know that this request of
Balak is not in his best interest. God is saying something like Balaam you may
not know this but if you attempt to curse my people there will be consequences
for you. By telling Balaam no God is expressing compassion and concern for the pagan
prophet, Balak and the Moabite people.
In Numbers 22:13-16 the group of dignitaries leave Pethor
and report to Balak the King of Moab that Balaam said no to his request. Balak views
the Israelite people in the plain of Moab as a national security threat. Balak orders
that another group of dignitaries are to go and tell Balaam to come to him. By
the time this second group makes it to Balaam about 40 to 60 days have passed. In
Numbers 22:18-20 things get a little confusing. In v12 God tells Balaam no you
are not to go. Yet in v20 God says you can go. God says no the first time and
later God says go. Which is it? No or go? It is worth noting that the phrase
“with them” is not the same in v12 and v20. When God says Do not go with them in
v12 the Hebrew word that is used means something like “do not go with them
physically or mentally[1].”
Balaam is to remain where he is and is not to go along with Balak’s agenda.
In v20 there is a different Hebrew word used. The word used
means something like “go with them physically but not mentally.” It is as if
God is saying okay Balaam if you want to go I will give you your choice. You
have your free will. However if you go do not go along with their agenda. Balaam
you are to follow my instructions not those of Balak.
We read that God gets angry at Balaam when he leaves with
Balak’s dignitaries. Why is God upset? After all it was God who said it was
okay to go. In Hebrew the word for went is also the verb to walk and to live[2].
It is a word that can mean manner of life. In Hebrew it was a word that was
used to talk about a person’s conduct. How you walk is how you live. It is
where American culture gets the phrase “walk the talk.” Don’t just talk about
how you are going to live actually live out what you talk about. Does your walk
match how you live. So God says to
Balaam no, then he says if you are going don’t get on board with their agenda.
When Balaam “went” he is not going under the terms that God set. Balaam has
signed on to Balak’s agenda.
As Balaam leaves there is an angel who stands in the way of
Balaam and blocks his path. This happens three times and in each case the space
get a little smaller until there is no room left. Balaam is getting angry and
he starts to beat his donkey out of frustration. Eventually God opens the mouth
of the donkey and a conversation between Balaam and his donkey occurs. It is
odd that Balaam does not seem to think that a talking donkey is strange much
less having a conversation with one.
For the original hears this story is laced with in irony.
For one thing donkeys don’t do much. They are a pack animal and are not known
as the brightest animal in the field. Yet, the star of this story is a talking
donkey. A donkey upstages the most famous and well known prophet in the ancient
world! Balaam is a seer. He is supposed to be able to discern the movements and
activities of animals yet he can’t control his own donkey. It is why Balaam
tells the donkey “you have made a fool out of me.” Balaam is also an
internationally known prophet. Which means that he is supposed to have some
kind of proficiency in spiritual matters. Yet not once, not twice but three
times the donkey sees the angel and the prophet does not. In the original Hebrew
the word for donkey is not used in the Balaam story. The word that is used is
the word for a female donkey. Balaam, the internationally known prophet, is out
done by a female donkey! Balaam is meant with the reality that he does not have
anything under control.
Now that is a great story about how God worked in Balaam’s
life and one thing we can say for sure is that Balaam did not like being told
no. Who likes being told no? We haven’t liked that since childhood. Dad says no
so we run and ask mom because we don’t like being told no. Your boss says your
ideas are a no. Your spouse says that your plans are a no. God speaks into our
lives and says no that is not the best thing for you. No, this is not a good
habit. No, this is not good for your family. For some us when we hear God say
no our response is to put together a convincing plan that is full of excuses.
Excuses like that is just how I was raised, that is the environment that I grew
up in or that is just how things work. Like God is going to look at us and
think you are totally right. I did not take that information into
consideration. You were right and I was wrong.
Truth is we are all Balaam from time to time. Because we don’t like
hearing no. We also don’t like saying no. In our culture we will put up with
all kinds of bad ethics and poor morals just because someone gets results.
Being productive matters in our culture and sometimes you just do what you have
to do in order to get things done. If that means leaving your values and ethics
in the company parking lot then so be it. What is it in your life that you need
to say no to? In your relationships are there things that you need to say no to?
No, that will no longer happen in this house. No, I will not stand for that
anymore. No that is not healthy for our family. Are there areas in your life
where you need to say no? Parents it is okay to say no to your kids and yes they
will still love you. We learn from this story that no can be a loving thing. God
says no to Balaam because it is not in his best interest. Where do you need to say no? If you are not
saying no then there is the very real possibility that you are acting like Balaam.
You are going along with an agenda that God has already said no to.
[1] Malbim
and R. Zvi Hirsch Mecklenberg point out that the Hebrew text uses two different
words for “with them” in the first and second Divine replies. When God says,
“Don’t go with them” the Hebrew is imahem. When He later says “Go with them”
the corresponding word is itam. The two prepositions have subtly different
meanings. Imahem means “with them mentally as well as physically,” going along
with their plans. Itam means “with them physically but not mentally,” in other
words Balaam could accompany them but not share their purpose or intention. God
is angry when Balaam goes, because the text states that he went with them – in
other words he identified with their mission.
[2] hä·lak'
– to go, to walk, to live, manner of life
Comments
Post a Comment