Day 58 · Part 4: The Wilderness
Balaam
In the Story
In context
Israel now camped in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho (Numbers 22:1). Balak, king of Moab, was afraid of them, so he sent for Balaam son of Beor, from Pethor in Mesopotamia, to curse them. His message said, “He whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed” (Numbers 22:5–6; Deuteronomy 23:4).
God told Balaam, “You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). When Balak sent for him again, God let him go, but “only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do” (Numbers 22:20). On the way, the Lord’s angel stood in the road with a drawn sword. Balaam’s donkey saw it and turned aside three times, and then she spoke (Numbers 22:22–33).
From three hilltops, with seven altars on each, Balak waited for a curse, and three times Balaam blessed Israel instead: “How goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5). His fourth poem looks far ahead: “A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Moses later told Israel that the Lord “turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you” (Deuteronomy 23:5).
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:31–32 · Balak paid for a curse on Israel and heard blessings instead; Paul asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Numbers 22
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Numbers 23
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Numbers 24
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A hymn for today
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God · words by Martin Luther
- A mighty fortress is our God,A bulwark never failing;Our helper He, amid the floodOf mortal ills prevailing:For still our ancient foeDoth seek to work us woe;His craft and pow'r are great,And, armed with cruel hate,On earth is not his equal.
- Did we in our own strength confide,Our striving would be losing;Were not the right Man on our side,The Man of God's own choosing:Dost ask who that may be?Christ Jesus, it is He;Lord Sabaoth His name,From age to age the same,And He must win the battle.
- And though this world, with devils filled,Should threaten to undo us,We will not fear, for God hath willedHis truth to triumph through us:The prince of darkness grim,We tremble not for him;His rage we can endure,For lo, his doom is sure;One little word shall fell him.
- That word above all earthly pow'rs,No thanks to them, abideth;The Spirit and the gifts are oursThrough Him who with us sideth:Let goods and kindred go,This mortal life also;The body they may kill:God's truth abideth still;His kingdom is forever.