The Jews reached Moab and faced a few tough, but relevant lessons about curses, the promises of God, and the subtlety of dark influences. This is as relevant to us today. But the joy of it all lies in the resilience of truth, which is captured in some timeless bible verses.
Balak attempts to curse God’s people
(Chapter 22)
His name means ‘one
who lays waste’. As King of Moab, he saw what Israel did to the Amorites and
how they “covered the whole earth”.
To stem the tide, he called
on the gentile prophet and soothsayer, Balaam (meaning destroyer or confuser of
people), to curse Israel.
The Canaanite lived on
the banks of the Euphrates. He told Balak’s emissaries to wait a night so he
could hear from God, who told him not to curse Israel, “for they are blessed”.
An obscure scripture
in Proverbs 26:2 says that a curse cannot take root without a cause. Sadly,
Israel’s rebellions presented enough cause and so a curse may have persisted.
That God acted so urgently against it, suggests it was possible
Thus, Balaam sent the
emissaries of Balak back, empty-handed - but don't underestimate the wretchedness
of an accursed person or nation.
The second attempt
Balak sent emissaries
again with promises of great honor. God then told Balaam to go with them, but
when he did, God was angry. His confusion suggests a devilish influence.
Anyway, his donkey saw the angel of God and refused. It turned into a field, rammed a wall and lay down –
just the way willful horses do in showjumping.
But then it also spoke its own mind.
The beast complained about
having been beaten three times, but Balaam was unfazed by his talking donkey,
confirming again that he was familiar with the spirit world. He was more like a witch-doctor, with esoteric knowledge about curses.
Then
the angel appeared, to show how God uses animate things as a voice for unseen spirits. His ‘gift’ was more about
word-spin and dark influence. Similar esoteric influences touch the church and
inanimate symbols give them a voice of influence.
Although I swear by the
work of the Holy Spirit, his working is often confused for feelings that are as
often not of God. They can deviate from His word and lead the church and
individuals into error, as I have witnessed all too often.
It all reminds me of an ex Satanist who described how easy it was for him to bring prophetic words by manipulating the hints and prompts of gullible people. Does over emphasizing of personal prophecy, open us to something that is not a biblical emphasis?
The third attempt (Chapter 23)
Balaam offered seven
sacrifices, before asking God again. That led to the first of three “poems”,
starting with, “whom God has blessed, let no man curse” (verse 8).
He then spoke
blessings over Israel, not curses, for a blessing outranks a curse and what is
spoken by God outranks what is spoken by men.
Balak grew angry with
Balaam, so led him to a field. More sacrifices ensued, as Balaam asked God again. How obtuse to ask God to speak against Himself.
They tempted God, who
cannot be tempted. Another poem ensued, with the notable verse 19: “God is not
a man that he should lie or the son of man that he should repent: hath He
said and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make good?”
Israel had angered
God, but when an outsider tried to speak ill of them He had their back,
affirming that He would not change His mind. As he said in verse 23, “God has
commanded to bless and I cannot reverse it”.
That is as true for
you and I. His word over us will stand. He doesn't vacillate.
That said, if you or
your forebears ever invoked a curse, take responsibility for it, ask God to
forgive the root offence, forgive those who had reason to curse you and your
family, do not repay evil with evil: and then ask God to break the curse.
The third attempt (chapter 24)
Peor, which means
“opening”, was the source of Baal worship, hence the name Baal (of) Peor. It
was a gate of hell, as was the shrine to Pan at the foot of Mount Hermon near
Caesarea Phillipi.
Hermon was the highest
mount in Israel, Peor, the high point of paganism. It was analogous to the
high mount where Jesus was tempted to worship Satan in return for the nations.
His delayed reply was, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not
prevail”.
Balaam sensed that and
refused to go to Peor. Instead he gazed out across the tents of Israel and
spoke his third poem, another blessing.
His blessing compared Israel to the strength of the unicorn, a mis-translation of "Re-em", which was either a wild ox or even an Onyx.
Balak was angered
How could Balak assume
to compel a man to speak against God? How can such a service be hired? Yet
many do it today to leverage global influence against Israel.
Balaam then prophesied
what God would do through Israel in the latter days. “A star shall arise out of
Jacob, a scepter shall arise out of Israel. He shall have dominion.” He
prophesied the advent of Jesus, the great king who would come to judge the
nations.
Balaam then cast a stumbling stone (Chapter 25)
Sadly, Revelation 2:14
tells us that Balaam showed Balak how to corrupt Israel. It was called the
“doctrine of Balaam” (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11).
Israel went into the
region of Mount Peor and Balak sent dark influences into the camp. In no time,
the camp was corrupted by temple prostitutes and deviations from their morally
restrictive regime. They rebelled against God and a plague broke out.
One couple copulated
at the gate of the tabernacle and Phinehas, Eleazar’s son, drove a javelin through
both of them. His timely action limited the death-roll to 24,000.
Then God turned his
people against the Midianites, from whence the woman came. Vengeance was swift
and sure.
(c) Peter Missing @ bethelstone.com
