Balaam the sorceror

Numbers Chapter 22

The Israelites crossed the plains of Moab and camped east of the Jordon River. Balak the Moabite king knew what the Israelites had done to the Amorites. He and his people were terrified at the size of Israelite mob. So he sent for Balaam who was a sorcerer.Balak's messengers set out and took money to pay Balaam to curse Israel. That night God came to Balaam and said, "what are these men to you?"Balaam replied that the king of Moab wanted the vast horde cursed and then perhaps they could be conquered.

But God told Balaam to not go with them and that he was not to curse the people, for God himself had blessed them. Balaam told Balak's officials that he could not curse them, the Lord would not let him. So the Moabite officials told this to King Balak and he tried again, this time sending a larger number of distinguished officials. Balaam told them he was powerless against the will fo God. That night God told Balaam to go with the men, but to do only as God told him.

The next day Balaam saddled his donkey and started off with the Moabite officials, but the Lord sent an angel of the Lord to stand in the road and block his way.Balaam's donkey bolted and turned around. Then the angel stood at a place where the road narrowed and when the donkey tried to squeeze through, Balaam's foot was crushed.
Then the Lord caused the donkey to speak and he asked Balaam why he deserved a beating three times? Balaam said he would kill the donkey if he had a sword. The donkey said he was the same donkey Balaam always rode and had never done this before. Then Balaam saw the angel and fell down before him. The angel asked why he beat his donkey three times.Your donkey saved you, the angel said. He shied away or the angel would have killed Balaam.

The angel of the Lord told Balamm to go with the men, but say only what he told him to say. Balak wanted to know why Balaam was so late. Balamm replied that I have no power to say just anything. I will speak only the message God gives me.Then Balamm went with Balak and the king sacrificd some animals and gave some to Balamm. The next morning Balak took Balaam to Bamother-baal. From there he could see the people of Israel spread out before him.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW God used Balaam the sorceror to relate a message to the Moabites because they had already chosen him for employment. Balaam had some knowlege of God, but not enough to forsake his magic.Bakaan was greedy for money, but his resolve was beginning to slip.We must avoid being blinded by money or possessions. We can avoid his mistake by looking past the allure of fame or fortune and following God.

How does this chapter relate to us today? We are all influenced to some degree by the promise of wealth. But most of us have the sense to look past the easy money and realize that a life with God far exceeds tainted money.

Yours in Christ,
Mary