Running The Numbers: Post 1 of ?
I think that the book of Numbers by far has been some of the slowest reading I’ve encountered so far; not that I’m in under any pressure to read the entire Bible within any specified amount of time, which causes me to digress for a moment…
I wonder why it is that there’s the programs or advice from Bible experts, Spiritual leaders, homebrew ministries etc; on how best to accomplish the task; reading the Bible in a year that is. I suppose as a way to have a goal to strive for, though in my opinion it could be a detractor from simply reading the Bible to gain an understanding of how God Almighty desires for us to get to know Him. OK, back to the meat & potatoes portion of tonight’s’ post.
As I was saying, the Book of Numbers has been going a bit slow, I started reading about a week ago, zipping through the first 4 Chapter, not really picking up much and admittedly feeling as though I was/am missing a deeper intent to the Scripture. For the record, I’m no Bible scholar nor theologian, so it’s not as though I have a high bar to uphold in terms of Bible expertise. The following 5 or so days of digging into Numbers goes about the same, sometimes reading and vaguely comprehending maybe a chapter or two at best.
Finally this evening between the reading and rereading of chapters 20 through 24 of Numbers something stands out, specifically chapters 22 - 24 ! A quick breakdown of the chapters.
- Ch 20 - Water from the Rock
- Ch 21 - Arad Destroyed
- Ch 22 - Balak Summons Balaam
- Ch 23 & 24 - Balaam’s Oracles
Who are these fellows?, Balak & Balaam, you may be asking. Taken from the Concordance; Balak was the Moabites king and son of Zippor. Ballam son of Beor was a prophet coerced by Balak to attempt to curse the Israelites as they were making their way through the country of Moab. Apparently Mr. Balaam was known to dabble in sorcery as well.
The Israelites had previously experienced a victory over king Sihon of the Amorites after he refused to let them pass through his land. This victory was followed up by a quick dispatch of Og king of Bashan with the Lord leading the Israelites. The Israelites now camped in the country of Moab along the Jordan were spied by Balak, whose heart was determined to rid his country of them.
An elders pow wow convenes and Balak dreading the powerful nation of Israel determines to summon Balaam to curse the Israelites, presumably in the name of the Lord. Balak tells Balaam that if he curses Israel, he’ll make it worth Balaam’s while.
Balaam meanwhile, is visited by God who tells him to go with Balak and entourage, but to only do as the Lord has instructed him to do. Balak summons Balaam on 3 occasions to curse Israel. Each time that Balak summons Balaam, he takes him to a different vantage point to see the nation of Israel camped out, hoping that a different perspective will please God, thus bringing a curse down upon Israel.
Balak begins his campaign at the mountain or hills of Bamoth Baal, however instead of Balaam cursing Israel he blesses them, because this is what God had spoken.
Numbers 23:12
12 He answered, “Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
Next, Balak takes Balaam to the field of Zophim on the top of Pigah. Again Balaam responds in Numbers 23:26 “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says?” This is followed by Balak taking Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland. Balaam responds after some heated words between the two:
Numbers 24:10-13
10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam… 13 ‘Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says’?
What follows for this section of Numbers is that Balaam utters several oracles to Balak, prophesying the demise of the nation of Moab, but not until after the men of Israel have prostituted themselves with Moabite women. Though it appears that Balak’s heart and motives were not truly with God, though he professed so in his words. The lesson or idea picked up from this reading of Numbers is this:
Similar to Balak, do you ever find yourself with wrongful motives asking God to do things for you . As if that weren’t bad enough, have you ever resubmitted the request (prayer) “different wording” but the same motives, hoping to get God to change His decision.
As if He could be fooled?
Grace and peace be with you.