(Friday)
Quite unexpectedly Balaam listens to God and refuses to go with Balak’s delegation of princes or to curse the Israelites. Balak doesn’t give up and sends another group. This time Balaam’s response is just a bit different. He invites the princes to stay as his guests and even though he appears to be listening to God, it almost seems like he’s got some other motive for making them wait. He already knows what God’s answer is going to be, and yet he makes them wait.
This time God tells Balaam to go. I think God does, so that Balaam will really understand just who he is dealing with. Balaam fails to see the angel of the Lord blocking their path and quite amazingly has a conversation with his donkey. Because of this Balaam asks for forgiveness and is spared. He is then given very specific instructions – Go to Balak and speak only what the angel tells him. Of course the message never changes. Balaam will not curse God’s chosen people. Makes me wonder how many times we know the right path to take, yet we defiantly choose to do things our own way?
Balak keeps taking Balaam to other places to get him to change his mind, but the answer is always the same and instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam actually blesses them. Balaam’s motives may have been selfish to begin with, but in the end he gave up everything to speak the words of Truth. We may often have to give up what we want (promotions and wealth) in order to stay true to God’s word. The cost will only be temporary but the rewards will be eternal.
Chapter 25 sees the Israelites once again compromising their faith and belief in the One True God. The real challenge for Israel is not the enemy from without, but the temptations to give into the pagan religions that find their way into their lives.
Blessings on the day.
PK