March 6
Numbers 22:1-24:25
Rather than focusing on Israel, today we spend some time interacting with Balak and Balaam. Balak is king of the Moabites, one of the nations residing on the edge of the Promised Land, and Balaam is a diviner hired to curse the Israelites. On the one hand Balaam talks to God and makes prophesies on his behalf, on the other hand he uses methods which have been completely condemned by God's law. From today’s text he may seem like a slightly ambiguous prophet, but it is clear from the Bible as a whole that he did not pursue God and is an enemy of his people. In 2 Peter his ways are described as wicked, Jude implies that he was motivated by money and not by truth, Revelation describes him as someone who led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, and finally he was killed in battle by the Israelites. Balaam is far more like a voodoo priest than like the prophets of Israel. God spoke to him and through him, but that was purely God's grace rather than a position that Balaam's commitment to God (or lack thereof) deserved.
As we consider this tale, it should call us to discernment. We should deeply consider whether someone is speaking the words of God or Satan. Do they speak truth or lies? Should their words be heeded or ignored or even rebuked? We need to learn to be quick to go to God and the Scriptures when we do not know what to do.
Father God, thank you for revealing yourself through Scripture. Help me to have discernment to walk in your ways today. Amen.
What area of life do you need greater discernment? What steps can you take to grow in this?
Rather than focusing on Israel, today we spend some time interacting with Balak and Balaam. Balak is king of the Moabites, one of the nations residing on the edge of the Promised Land, and Balaam is a diviner hired to curse the Israelites. On the one hand Balaam talks to God and makes prophesies on his behalf, on the other hand he uses methods which have been completely condemned by God's law. From today’s text he may seem like a slightly ambiguous prophet, but it is clear from the Bible as a whole that he did not pursue God and is an enemy of his people. In 2 Peter his ways are described as wicked, Jude implies that he was motivated by money and not by truth, Revelation describes him as someone who led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, and finally he was killed in battle by the Israelites. Balaam is far more like a voodoo priest than like the prophets of Israel. God spoke to him and through him, but that was purely God's grace rather than a position that Balaam's commitment to God (or lack thereof) deserved.
As we consider this tale, it should call us to discernment. We should deeply consider whether someone is speaking the words of God or Satan. Do they speak truth or lies? Should their words be heeded or ignored or even rebuked? We need to learn to be quick to go to God and the Scriptures when we do not know what to do.
Father God, thank you for revealing yourself through Scripture. Help me to have discernment to walk in your ways today. Amen.
What area of life do you need greater discernment? What steps can you take to grow in this?
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