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Bamidbar
(Numbers) Balak 22:2-25:9 |
Meaning
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Day Two
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Haftara
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B'rit Hadashah
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1 Our Father, we receive Your Words and hide Your commandments with us; 2 we incline our ear unto wisdom, and apply our hearts to understanding; 3 We cry after knowledge and lift up our voices for understanding; 4 we seek it as silver; and search for it as for hidden treasures; 5 We declare that we shall understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Declaration of Proverbs 2:1-5
Numbers 22:21-38 (NASB)1
21 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. 22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again. 26 The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. 28 And 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?" 29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." 31 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 all the way to the ground. 32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. 33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live." 34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." 35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak. 36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?" 38 So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak."
This has got to be one of my all-time favorite stories out of the Bible and a double blessing—it comes right out of the Old Testament brought to you by Torah! I’ve always loved stories that have talking animals in them and although the donkey dialogue is very short and to the point, I can’t help but think that this is one story that can prove to some that amid all of God’s traits of personality, like the righteousness, the fair judgment, and the omniscience and many others, somewhere in all that is a fabulous sense of humor. How could we possibly think that the notion of Francis the Talking Mule was the original? The basis of all those great and entertaining movies featured an intelligent mule who seemed to be smarter than his best friend, Peter Sterling, and would always solve the crisis by the end of the movie. I'm dating myself here. I also grew up on Hollywood whimsy present in the early decades of the fifties and sixties. Francis the talking mule was a series of movies with Donald O’Connor that were revived on television. It was only rivaled in good clean entertainment (something that seems bygone and passé these days) with the series of movies featuring Ma and Pa Kettle—but I digress.
The three main characters in our text today are the ass, Balak and Balaam in no special order. Balak, king of the Moabites, seeing the hordes of Israel that he said, “hides the earth from view”, immediately calls his good friends, the Midianites, and sends for Balaam, a noted psychic. I suppose it is understandable that Balak would be pretty scared of Israel since he had no way of knowing that Israel was “blessed” by their God. Had he known, if he'd been smart, he would have welcomed them with open arms and lavished them with hospitality, reasoning that whoever blesses God’s people will be blessed in return. Note that he sends not just elders and dignitaries, but he sends elders with the rewards for “divination”. For reasons of His own, God wants to delay Balaam. So, you can see that God’s ultimate will was that Balaam not curse Israel—he might eventually be told to go, but that primary will of God was still in effect—he would not curse Israel. It has been said that God’s ultimate plan was to have a non-Jew bless the Jews in front of their enemy, Balak.
“In Num 22:12 the directive will of Jehovah is made known to Balaam, in Num 22:20 Jehovah's permissive will. The prophet is now free to go, but knows the true mind of the Lord about it. The matter is wholly one between Jehovah and His servant. The permission of Num 22:20 really constitutes a testing of Balaam. He chose the path of self-will and self-advantage, and Jehovah could not but gravely disapprove. The whole scene, Num 22:22-35 prepared Balaam for what was to follow.”2 (Underline highlights are for emphasis)
And then we have this mental picture of a man on a donkey and the donkey sees the angel of God while the rider does not. While it provides an aspect of humor, the ultimate reasoning of the ultimate will of God to be expressed and carried out, is very serious. While being faced with the directive will of God in the beginning, Balaam is still faced with the combination of the directive will and the permissive will. He is free to go and make some money and riches, but if he does it, it will not be by cursing Israel. It is just about this time that I’m realizing that in the past I have become confused by the directive and the permissive will of God. There is little teaching about these shades of meaning and yet they appear to be very important. I suppose it all boils down to the same thing: choice. Balaam made his choice to go and try to enrich himself by some means. He knew it plainly when he left, but in the back of his mind, perhaps he was still scheming. Oh dear. I think I’ve done that a time or two as well.
“The ass is very gentle and patient, and does not seem angry even when he has a very heavy load to carry. I should be very sorry to have him treated unkindly. Though he seems so dull, he loves his master, and will sometimes find him out and run to him even when he is in a crowd of men. God says, in the Bible, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Is it not a sad thing that the dull ass should be more grateful than we are?”3
Harriet Cook, in her notes about the ass that carried Balaam, brings out some interesting things which pretty much make the mule the most benevolent character in our story today. She intimates that the mule could be more aware than we are at times regarding our heavenly master and Father and well, I suppose that could be true. This is the illustration of the verse that speaks of God using the foolish to teach the wise.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chose the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27.
So, if sometimes we’ve made some silly human error, perhaps it would do us good to reflect on the mule that bore Balaam. It was the basest of the beasts of burden, yet it knew and acted rightly when confronted with an agent of the Living Almighty. It was literally “dumb” but it was given words to confound the “wise” master Balaam. And think about it. That mule was the most logical creature out there that morning—for she argues in her defense! “Look, have I ever been so disobedient to you before? Can you stop and THINK, you ‘rational and intelligent’ two-legger that there might be a good reason why I was doing what I was doing?” The beast was described as a “she” ass. Might that she ass have been the original “Frances” the talking Mule?
I’m convinced that this Balaam character was just as the Bible paints him: an opportunist. See how he’s described in the Apostolic writings of Peter:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities... 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2:10-16.
I wonder if Balaam is a ‘type’ of the predators in the church. They look great, they sound great, they pray great, but are rotten at the core with pride, greed for gain of position, influence, and prestige. Their testimonies are loud and emotional, but if one objectively looked at the fruit coming out of their lives, one would be hard put to find it. Balaam was classified in the same kind of predator group in chapter two of Peter's letter.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:17-20.
The power of Torah teaches the subtle differences between the flesh and the spiritual. I see how a believer can go their whole life, being worldly and carnal, and never know it! Now I understand why it is that believers are persecuted from within their congregations by those who suspect the truth in their speech but don’t want to hear it. You don’t like the message? Shun the messenger. I thank God for the story of Balaam, because it forces me to look at my motives and face the ugliness that just might lie within. It is a good thing for a believer to clean out the useless (and soulish) things that accumulate in that spiritual closet now and then. Truly, it isn’t as good a thing as it is expedient. Here’s a prayer for just those occasions of suspected vanity and high-mindedness:
The three main characters in our text today are the ass, Balak and Balaam in no special order. Balak, king of the Moabites, seeing the hordes of Israel that he said, “hides the earth from view”, immediately calls his good friends, the Midianites, and sends for Balaam, a noted psychic. I suppose it is understandable that Balak would be pretty scared of Israel since he had no way of knowing that Israel was “blessed” by their God. Had he known, if he'd been smart, he would have welcomed them with open arms and lavished them with hospitality, reasoning that whoever blesses God’s people will be blessed in return. Note that he sends not just elders and dignitaries, but he sends elders with the rewards for “divination”. For reasons of His own, God wants to delay Balaam. So, you can see that God’s ultimate will was that Balaam not curse Israel—he might eventually be told to go, but that primary will of God was still in effect—he would not curse Israel. It has been said that God’s ultimate plan was to have a non-Jew bless the Jews in front of their enemy, Balak.
“In Num 22:12 the directive will of Jehovah is made known to Balaam, in Num 22:20 Jehovah's permissive will. The prophet is now free to go, but knows the true mind of the Lord about it. The matter is wholly one between Jehovah and His servant. The permission of Num 22:20 really constitutes a testing of Balaam. He chose the path of self-will and self-advantage, and Jehovah could not but gravely disapprove. The whole scene, Num 22:22-35 prepared Balaam for what was to follow.”2 (Underline highlights are for emphasis)
And then we have this mental picture of a man on a donkey and the donkey sees the angel of God while the rider does not. While it provides an aspect of humor, the ultimate reasoning of the ultimate will of God to be expressed and carried out, is very serious. While being faced with the directive will of God in the beginning, Balaam is still faced with the combination of the directive will and the permissive will. He is free to go and make some money and riches, but if he does it, it will not be by cursing Israel. It is just about this time that I’m realizing that in the past I have become confused by the directive and the permissive will of God. There is little teaching about these shades of meaning and yet they appear to be very important. I suppose it all boils down to the same thing: choice. Balaam made his choice to go and try to enrich himself by some means. He knew it plainly when he left, but in the back of his mind, perhaps he was still scheming. Oh dear. I think I’ve done that a time or two as well.
“The ass is very gentle and patient, and does not seem angry even when he has a very heavy load to carry. I should be very sorry to have him treated unkindly. Though he seems so dull, he loves his master, and will sometimes find him out and run to him even when he is in a crowd of men. God says, in the Bible, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Is it not a sad thing that the dull ass should be more grateful than we are?”3
Harriet Cook, in her notes about the ass that carried Balaam, brings out some interesting things which pretty much make the mule the most benevolent character in our story today. She intimates that the mule could be more aware than we are at times regarding our heavenly master and Father and well, I suppose that could be true. This is the illustration of the verse that speaks of God using the foolish to teach the wise.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chose the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27.
So, if sometimes we’ve made some silly human error, perhaps it would do us good to reflect on the mule that bore Balaam. It was the basest of the beasts of burden, yet it knew and acted rightly when confronted with an agent of the Living Almighty. It was literally “dumb” but it was given words to confound the “wise” master Balaam. And think about it. That mule was the most logical creature out there that morning—for she argues in her defense! “Look, have I ever been so disobedient to you before? Can you stop and THINK, you ‘rational and intelligent’ two-legger that there might be a good reason why I was doing what I was doing?” The beast was described as a “she” ass. Might that she ass have been the original “Frances” the talking Mule?
I’m convinced that this Balaam character was just as the Bible paints him: an opportunist. See how he’s described in the Apostolic writings of Peter:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities... 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2:10-16.
I wonder if Balaam is a ‘type’ of the predators in the church. They look great, they sound great, they pray great, but are rotten at the core with pride, greed for gain of position, influence, and prestige. Their testimonies are loud and emotional, but if one objectively looked at the fruit coming out of their lives, one would be hard put to find it. Balaam was classified in the same kind of predator group in chapter two of Peter's letter.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:17-20.
The power of Torah teaches the subtle differences between the flesh and the spiritual. I see how a believer can go their whole life, being worldly and carnal, and never know it! Now I understand why it is that believers are persecuted from within their congregations by those who suspect the truth in their speech but don’t want to hear it. You don’t like the message? Shun the messenger. I thank God for the story of Balaam, because it forces me to look at my motives and face the ugliness that just might lie within. It is a good thing for a believer to clean out the useless (and soulish) things that accumulate in that spiritual closet now and then. Truly, it isn’t as good a thing as it is expedient. Here’s a prayer for just those occasions of suspected vanity and high-mindedness:
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Psalm 119:37-40.
1 Scripture reading from the NASB www.lockman.org and KJV unless otherwise stated.
2 Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
3 Harriet N. Cook: Scripture Alphabet of Animals
*The Torah and Haftara chapter/verse numbering taken from the Hebrew Bible (Christian-published chapter/verse numbering indicated within parenthesis)
2 Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
3 Harriet N. Cook: Scripture Alphabet of Animals
*The Torah and Haftara chapter/verse numbering taken from the Hebrew Bible (Christian-published chapter/verse numbering indicated within parenthesis)
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