Bibledoorajar: It is All In The Motives

     The tug of war between God, Balaam and Balak continued. Balak did not come to where Balaam was camped with Balak's authorities, but he slaughtered animals and sent food for an impressive feast. Balaam was feeling the enticing pressure of Balak's riches and the limiting effects of God's demands. The tension between the two messages to be offered was palatable. One would lead to the destruction of Israel, the other would lead to their ongoing presence in the land. Balak took Balaam up on a mountain where the god Bael was worshipped. From the vantage point of Bael's altar, Balak thought the view would further entice Balaam to put a curse on God's people. From the vantage point,  Balaam could clearly see the people for whom Balak required a curse. But Balak did not understand the ultimate authority of the God of heaven. Balaam did not utter a curse. Out of his mouth instead came a blessing for Israel strengthened by the authority of God.

"Balak summoned me to come from Aram;

    the king of Moab brought me from the eastern hills.

‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me!

    Come and announce Israel’s doom.’

8 But how can I curse those

    whom God has not cursed?

How can I condemn those

    whom the Lord has not condemned?

9 I see them from the cliff tops;

    I watch them from the hills.

I see a people who live by themselves,

    set apart from other nations.

10 Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust?

    Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people?

Let me die like the righteous;

    let my life end like theirs.”

There continues to be Balaams in the world. Their intense desire is for the destruction of Israel. But instead of this curse prevailing, Israel is a prosperous nation living by themselves set apart from other nations. Thus the will of God  prevails even to this day. God's word says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122). I do, do you?