March 5 - Numbers 23-25: Balaam Proves Faithful, Israel Cheats on God

Today’s Reading: Numbers 23-25

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Balaam, a non-Israelite, proves more faithful than the actual Israelites.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Balaam told Balak he would only speak God's words. Three times Balak took Balaam to a high place to curse Israel. Three times Balaam blessed Israel. Balaam spoke of Moab's downfall to Israel. Annoyed, Balak sent Balaam away.
Some Israelite men cavorted with Moabite women and worshipped their gods. God ordered the public executions of Israelite leaders for this great sin. Moses ordered the executions of the guilty men. Phinehas, Aaron's grandson, followed one son of an Israelite leader and a daughter of a Moabite leader and speared them together, killing both. Phinehas's zealous attack for God soothed God's anger.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Balaam presents a great example of someone not willing to compromise his task for any reason.

Balaam could have used this as a chance to gain money, fame, and power by doing what Balak wanted. He had faith that someone would not kill him on the spot. He submitted himself to God and God used him to bless Israel. God will work through anyone willing to speak His word regardless of the circumstance or the potential outcome.

The blessings Balaam gives Israel are noteworthy.

Balaam's blessings come from what God saw in His people. Because they obeyed God Balaam blessed them. Israel would defeat Moab and occupy their land. Nothing would prevent God's word from coming true—not armies, magic, or other gods.
Christians today should listen to Balaam's blessing. When God makes a promise, nothing in this world can stop the promise from coming true.

Israel's crime was worshiping other gods, not being around the Moabite women.

God's several warnings came true. The people of Israel spent time with Moabite women, fell in love (or lust) and began worshiping their gods. It is as if they forgot God in the face of a pretty girl. Beware people with allegiances to other gods. They can and may lead you to split your allegiance with our God.
As I wrote then I want to reiterate—this is not about racial or denominational purity. God does not want His Chosen People fraternizing with people from other allegiances because they are to be His Holy People. This does not mean we should stay in a social cave and never speak to anyone else.

Phinehas ends God's anger by bringing God's justice to a powerful man's son, not executing two guilty people.

Remember, these people are God's Chosen People. They have made a vow to serve only the God of Abraham. God has promised them land and great blessings. When we make a vow and break that vow, there are great repercussions. The man was the son of the leader of the tribe of Simeon. Phinehas could have started a civil war by executing this man. But this does not stop him from bringing justice. God can set things right on this earth through His Chosen People when they ignore political power and implement God's justice. This does not mean all sinners should be executed. It means justice does not respect political power.

March 4 - Numbers 21-22: Israel is a Roving, Whining Bunch

Today’s Reading: Numbers 21-22

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Israel is a large roving group of people. They're also a whiney group of people.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

The king of Arad took some Israelites hostage. The people pledged to destroy Arad if God helped them.
The people complained to God about the wilderness. God punished them with snakebites and had Moses build a bronze snake to heal the afflicted.
Israel defeated other inhospitable kings.
Balak, king of Moab, wanted Balaam, a priest of God, to curse the Israelites. Balaam confers with God and goes. God is angry. He sends an angel to kill Balaam three times. Balaam's donkey protects him. Balaam punishes the donkey. The donkey speaks to Balaam and shows him his wrong. Balaam apologizes.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The people of Israel do not learn from their mistakes.

These people really do not understand that they are in the wilderness because of their own mistakes. Moses has to once again defend the people and save them from their own inability to accept their fate. God has Moses create a bronze snake to protect them (remember the snake—it will come up again in a few months). At least they help us understand God's patience. God is very, very patient.

There is something going on in Balaam's story that we do not understand.

I'll admit it. I do not understand this story. First, there is a non-descendent of Abraham who is a priest. God tells Balaam to go with the emissaries then gets angry and sends an angel to kill Balaam for going. That's really strange. Then Balaam's donkey not only saves him—it talks to him. And Balaam acts as though it were normal.
This is a very strange story.

Balaam is not an Israelite but is a priest of God.

This part of the story sounds normal to us today. We are used to God working through people from around the world. However, the people reading this at the time it was written would have found the story strange and mildly insulting. Israel considers all other cultures beneath them because they are God's Chosen People. This small part helps them (and us) realize that God doesn't work that way. God will use all people willing to set things right on this earth for His purposes regardless of their religious identity. We do not decide who God works through or how this is done.