That Ole' White Magic

Numbers 22: 1-20

Some interesting storytelling technique on Moses' part.  We leave the Israelite perspective and travel to Moab.  I'm not sure how Moses had access to the backstory here, but it opens the door for some questions that may be a little new to me.

So Balak is a little worried, having heard about all the carnage left in the wake of Israel- and at the size of the group out wandering and conquering.  In fact, his dread is even verbalized (in a quite odd way)- "“This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Mmm, grass licking.

Doubting the Moabites ability to take them on directly, he calls for his favorite magician.  Penn and Teller weren't available, so he settled for Balaam.  Balak tells him (through the elders)- look- there's this mass of people coming from Egypt and they've settled in right next door.  They're too much for me to handle... unless you can do one of your infamous curse thingies.  I know that when you bless someone, they actually are blessed, and when you curse someone- they better look out, because bad stuff is coming.

It seems like Moses is setting up a variation on the let's see whose God is stronger theme.  My staff/snake will eat your staff/snake.  But Balaam takes the narrative in a different direction.  He says- give me the night- let me check with the LORD and see what He thinks about it. 

Huh?  So the Moabite sorceror (Probably played by Alan Rickman or Samuel L. Jackson in the film version) who just screams "bad dude" is checking in with Jehovah for direction.  Does this mean that God was with non-Israelites back in the day as well?  Were there other Jehovah inspired parts to the big picture plan that never made it into our canon?  How did a Moabite magic man have a direct link to the creator and why did God allow Himself to be used for someone's hocus-pocus schtick? 

God tells him directly- You don't want to mess with Israel .  I've blessed them.

So Balaam returns to the Moabite elders and says- you may as well go home.  God tells me to not go with you.

The elders return saying that Balaam had turned them down.  Not one to be deterred, Balak ups the ante.  He sends more and more important officials to persuade him- saying- look Balaam, if this is about money... don't worry about it, we're gonna take care of you.  C'mon- you know you wanna curse these guys.  All the cool kids are doing it.

Balaam says, look- you could give me all the silver and gold in the world and it still wouldn't be a good idea for me to cross God.  But I tell you what, spend the night, I'll talk to him again and we'll see if He has more to His message.

So God responds, since they're here and so eager for you... go ahead and go.  But only do what I tell you to.

Intriguing.  God still seems to be working for His chosen people, but He seems to have other followers in other places who He uses to accomplish to His goals.  It's not totally out in left field to assume that He still does.