Readings: Numbers 22, Numbers 23, Numbers 24, Numbers 25

Numbers 22:38 – “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.”

Most of today’s readings cover the story of Balaam. He is an Aramean seer. As Israel camps across the Jordan from Jericho, the Moabites are filled with fear. They are aware of what Israel just did to Arad, Sihon, and Og, seizing control of the lands east of the Jordan. So Moab’s king Balak hires Balaam to come and curse Israel. While traveling to Moab, Balaam has an encounter with his donkey and with the messenger of the Lord. Three times his trip is interrupted. God reiterates the command to speak for God. Upon meeting Balak, Balaam says, “I’ve now come to you. But I’m only able to speak whatever word God gives me to say. That is what I will speak.” Three times Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. Three times Balaam blesses Israel and responds to an angry Balak by reiterating his command to speak the Lord’s words.

The blessings become greater as the story unfolds. It begins with ‘how can I curse what God doesn’t curse?’ Then the words speak of how Israel will rise like a lioness, devouring its prey. The blessing culminates as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Balaam. He speaks three oracles that foreshadow Israel devouring specific Canaanite tribes. Clearly God is with Israel. Placed in a very difficult situation and tempted with wealth and status, Balaam remains faithful to speaking God’s words. We will find ourselves in situations where we feel pressure to go along with the crowd or to bow to the powers on hand. We’ll be tempted by what we can gain by not speaking God’s word. In those hard places may we remember Balaam and the trust and faith he displayed in the midst of worldly powers.

Our reading closes with a story that illustrates the dangers of succumbing to the ways of the world around us. Israelite men have sex with Moabite women. This leads to idolatry, to death, and to a plague. An Israelite man then brings a Midianite woman into camp to have sex. Phinehas responds violently. He is jealous for the Lord. The plagues ends. 24,000 have died. God instructs Moses to destroy the Midianites. Allowing ourselves to be negatively influenced by the world can pull us away from our faith too. But, is the trouble not really within us?

Prayer: Lord God, what stark contrasts we have today. Alone in the midst of the world, Balaam speaks truth. Intermingling with the world around them, Israel fails to live truth. Guide us, Lord, and empower us, O Spirit, to speak and to live the ways of truth. Amen.