the ruminations of aaron eberline

The more I read through Numbers I am constantly reminded that humans are obstinate and headstrong. Numbers 21 the people of Israel again are complaining to God and Moses. They don’t like the hardship and would rather be back in Egypt. God sent fiery serpents among the people and many died. Moses intercedes for the people and creates a bronze serpent that is set on a pole as commanded by God. In their disobedience the people only needed to look upon the the bronze serpent to be healed from the snake bites. Did everyone believe enough to look upon the bronze snake and be healed? I would bet that there were some people who didn’t have faith and they died. It seems very much like how people today don’t want to place their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. Why is it when something is so easy that it becomes an insurmountable barrier for some to overcome?

When the Israelites were faithfully following God they were given everything they needed. Whether it was water or victory in battle God blessed the people. When the people turn away from God and do not receive a blessing does that mean that God doesn’t love them? When in my life I do not get something is that a sign of a loss of favor with God? Thankfully I know that my salvation is based not upon anything I did but on all that Jesus Christ did. The grace that was extended to me was not based upon anything that I did. There are times when I am disobedient but my value in God’s eyes never changes because of Jesus Christ my savior.

Numbers 22 gives the first half of one of my favorite stories in the Bible. You have the people of Israel heading towards Moab and Balak, the king of Moab, sends word to Balaam desiring him to curse the Israelites. The first messengers from Balak were denied by Balaam because God forbade him from cursing the blessed people of Israel. Balak sends more distinguished heralds to Balaam to convince him to come and curse the Israelites. God allows Balaam to go to Balak but only allowing him to speak the words that He tells him to speak. As Balaam sets out on his donkey God’s anger is kindled because he is going and the angel of the Lord goes and stands as an adversary before Balaam. The donkey that Balaam was riding saw the angel of the Lord and three times turned aside and each time Balaam struck the donkey because it was not going where he wanted. God allows the donkey to speak and she questions why he is hitting her. What would you say if a donkey you were riding started talking to you? God then opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel of the Lord with it’s sword drawn blocking his way. What thoughts would have gone through your mind if you were in Balaam’s situation? Balaam received a poignant reminder to follow God’s command to only speak what He tells him to say. Chapter 22 ends as Balaam arrives in Moab with Balak.

What kind of man was Balaam? He believed in God and prayed to Him but he was not an Israelite. I wonder where he came from. It is amazing to see how there are people coming in and out of the story told in the Bible who know who the true God like Melchizedek and Balaam. God is so much bigger than what we perceive of Him.