Tuesday - Numbers 22 - The Distraction of Balaam

The Moabites were descendants from Abraham's nephew, Lot (Genesis 19:37). So they were the Hebrews' distant relatives (separated by 500 years), but they were enemies of God and His people. Their king was a bribing Machiavellian named Balak (Numbers 22:17). Balak had a common theology. He believed that the power of God could be bought with money (see I Timothy 6:5, I Peter 1:18 & Acts 8:20). He was stubbornly persistent in his efforts to buy both the man of God (Balaam) and the favor of God. He ended up succeeding in purchasing Balaam's loyalty (Jude 1:11, Numbers 22:18 & 19), but, not surprisingly, he made no progress with God (Acts 17:25).

King Balak was afraid of Israel because they were growing and dominating in the area.  His solution was to have them cursed by a man who was known to be a successful imprecator and advocate before God.  So, he sent for Balaam, who, after some perfunctory resistance, agreed to assist him.  That's the tale so far, but don't miss the undercurrent. While the theme is straightforward enough, there is a mysterious subtheme underlying the storyline that reveals something of the nature and character of God. That subtheme is about the balance between God’s sovereignty and our freewill.