Year 1, Week 18, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 18, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Numbers 22.

Today’s reading notes the arrival of the Israelites to the plains of Moab. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36). The Israelites are just across the Jordan River from the Promised Land. Numbers 22 records how Balak, king of the Moabites, was fearful: “And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel” (Numbers 22:2-3). Balak’s plan to counter the advancing Israelites began with seeking to secure the services of Balaam, who was a prophet: “Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:6). Balaam eventually went to Balak, but along the way, by means of his donkey, he learned the importance of not saying anything about Israel that the LORD had not authorized: "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” (Numbers 22:35).

What struck me in today’s reading was the LORD’s determination for His people to know of His commitment to bless them: “Let them curse, but you will bless!” (Psalm 109:28a). Today’s reading is an intriguing chapter. Balak is determined to curse Israel, but his efforts will fail for the LORD had committed to bless His people: “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3). The LORD is keeping His promises to Abraham, and Balak will not be able to undo that. Not even Balaam, a greedy prophet for hire, will undo what the LORD had decided: “Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing” (2 Peter 2:15). Balaam does have enough sense to know that he should consult God before he accepts the job of cursing Israel. The LORD makes it clear what Balaam should do: “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). But Balaam continues to entertain the lucrative offer from Balak: “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do less or more. So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.” (Numbers 22:18b-19). This time the LORD permits Balaam to go to Balak, but the LORD reminds Balaam about what he would be permitted to say: “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” (Numbers 22:20).

Even though the LORD allows Balaam to go to Balak, He is not pleased with Balaam: “But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary.” (Numbers 22:22). The LORD will deploy Balaam’s donkey to underscore to Balaam the absolute necessity that he speak only what the LORD permits. In some ironic twists to help Balaam to grasp what the LORD was demanding of him, the LORD supernaturally works: “Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28); and then again: “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.” (Numbers 22:31). The miraculous opening of the donkey’s mouth as well as opening Balaam’s eyes has an immediate effect on him: “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.” And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” (Numbers 22:34-35). As Balaam meets up with Balak, he makes it clear what he must do: “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” (Numbers 22:38).

The actual words that Balaam will speak are found in the subsequent day’s reading. But what we can anticipate is that a prophet for hire joined with an ungodly king will not thwart God’s purposes to bless His people: “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” (Psalms 33:10-11). In fact, what we will see is that the Word that God does put in Balaam’s mouth is a blessing: “But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.” (Deuteronomy 23:5).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe