Feb. 16 - Numbers 22-24

When I read today's reading I was immediately thrown off.  Who is this Balaam?  Should I know him?  Did I miss something?  I called Julie to ask if she knew who he was.  When I did a little research today I found the answer.....Enduringword.com says, "A man named Balaam suddenly appears in the Book of Numbers. We do not know how he came to be estimated as a prophet or a man with spiritual powers, but Balak certainly knew his reputation."  Okay, so that answers question #1.

So Balaam was not an Israelite but had knowledge and faith in the Lord.  He was summoned by the leader of the Moab to come and help them destroy the Israelites.  He turned down the leader, but was offered a large sum and asked to talk to the Lord about it.  The Lord told Balaam that he could not go with the men to talk to the Moab leader, but he was NOT to hurt the Israelites, for they are blessed.  Balaam sent message back that he would not go to talk to the Moab leader, but he let them know that God was not permitting it.  (Not that he didn't WANT to go.)  The Moab leader came back with a better offer for Balaam.  The Lord let Balaam go.  (Not b/c he wanted him to go, b/c he let him follow his sinful heart.)  

God was angry with Balaam, which may seem unfair since he told him to go, but remember he told him "No" several time before.  He is letting Balaam head to judgement.  

So Balaam is riding this donkey.  When they spot the Angel of the Lord ahead the Donkey tries to submit and get off the road.  This makes Balaam mad and he strikes the donkey several times.  The Lord then gives the Donkey the power to speak ad makes Balaam realize that he was not follow the Lord the way he claimed.  Furthermore the Angel of the Lord tries to show Balaam that he needs to turn around.  Balaam continues.  Not with the Lord's Blessing but with him permission to head to judgement.

Balaam climbed to be speaking for the Lord, but he was trying to work the system for his gain also.  Finally the leader of Moab realized that Balaam would not be able to help him.  Balaam was not paid.  Not only did he not get money, he also lost the blessing of the Lord.  Crash and Burn!

Balaam did give one prophecy that he was not getting paid:

Numbers 15-19 let's Moab know that the Messiah will come and rule over everything.

The King of Moab sees his defeat.  The Israelites are blessed.