23:1-6
Balaam now begins something of a performance, asking for seven altars to be set up, along with seven rams and bulls to be brought. A bull and a ram was offered on each altar. True prophets of God are usually much more straightforward in what they do. Balaam left Balak and went up to a barren height hoping to meet the Lord. God did indeed appear to him. Balaam tells God that he has made seven altars with sacrifices. One gets the impression that Balaam is trying to impress God. Lord gave Balaam a word, and so he returned to Balak, ready to pronounce the word.
23:7-10
The oracle starts with Balaam making it clear that it was Balak who had summoned him, and with the express intention that he curse Israel. Balaam then declares that he cannot curse whom God has not cursed. If we view “curse” as “God’s judgement on man’s sin”, then this fits very well. Balaam was not pronouncing a “spell”, but declaring God’s will. He then goes on to say that Israel is not a nation like other nations, they are also very numerous. A key fault on Israel’s part was to want to be like other nations. It is also a common fault in the church.
No comments:
Post a Comment