Balak's Bad Investment
Numbers 24: 15-19
Balaam gives his warning- but the word "warning" implies the opportunity to escape- so perhaps it's more accurate to call Balaam's oration a curse. He says:
Here's my prophecy.
I see clearly.
I hear God's word.
I have knowledge from God,
He speaks to me in visions.
In those visions, I submit and God opens my eyes.
So, I see this guy, but He's not here right now.
I sense Him, but it's not like he's nearby.
He'll be like this star rising out of Jacob
or a sceptor out of Israel.
And when He comes- look out!
He'll crush Moab's head and Sheth's skulls.
Edom? Seir?
Conquered. Conquered.
In contrast- watch Israel grow.
This ruler will come through Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.
Balak might be up for the schmuck of the year award. He goes out and hires Balaam thinking he's got an inside source to combat God's people from the inside. Not only does his plan not work- he ends up making things even worse for his people.
Not only will I not curse Israel, since you asked, I'll bless them and curse you. Oops.
It seems to me the message here is that God is a not a puppet to be manipulated by His people. His spokespeople can't manipulate reality and say whatever benefits their particular cause or pet project. Balaam couldn't find a loophole to squeeze through and frame God's will differently for his own purposes.
And neither can we. Explaining God's will away through political propaganda, American ideology, or even with rhetoric designed to excuse and comfort ourselves doesn't change God's will. And clearly, He doesn't like the attempt to proclaim his will inaccurately for selfish gain.
As for the prophecy itself, it seems to point to Jesus, although it seems a little violent for Jesus' style. It's easy to see why the people of Jesus' day were expecting a different kind of Messiah- one who was a little more Dirty Harry than Prince of Peace.
Numbers 24: 15-19
Balaam gives his warning- but the word "warning" implies the opportunity to escape- so perhaps it's more accurate to call Balaam's oration a curse. He says:
Here's my prophecy.
I see clearly.
I hear God's word.
I have knowledge from God,
He speaks to me in visions.
In those visions, I submit and God opens my eyes.
So, I see this guy, but He's not here right now.
I sense Him, but it's not like he's nearby.
He'll be like this star rising out of Jacob
or a sceptor out of Israel.
And when He comes- look out!
He'll crush Moab's head and Sheth's skulls.
Edom? Seir?
Conquered. Conquered.
In contrast- watch Israel grow.
This ruler will come through Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.
Balak might be up for the schmuck of the year award. He goes out and hires Balaam thinking he's got an inside source to combat God's people from the inside. Not only does his plan not work- he ends up making things even worse for his people.
Not only will I not curse Israel, since you asked, I'll bless them and curse you. Oops.
It seems to me the message here is that God is a not a puppet to be manipulated by His people. His spokespeople can't manipulate reality and say whatever benefits their particular cause or pet project. Balaam couldn't find a loophole to squeeze through and frame God's will differently for his own purposes.
And neither can we. Explaining God's will away through political propaganda, American ideology, or even with rhetoric designed to excuse and comfort ourselves doesn't change God's will. And clearly, He doesn't like the attempt to proclaim his will inaccurately for selfish gain.
As for the prophecy itself, it seems to point to Jesus, although it seems a little violent for Jesus' style. It's easy to see why the people of Jesus' day were expecting a different kind of Messiah- one who was a little more Dirty Harry than Prince of Peace.
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