Today I gained a better understanding who Balaam the son of Beor was from the story beginning in chapter 22 and concluding chapters 23 and 24. It was easy to look at Balaam as a good man similar to Melchizedek because Balaam was speaking of God but in Numbers 31 verse 8 we are told that Balaam was killed by the Israelites when they attacked Midian. I had compared Melchizedek to Balaam but they are each very different? Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God where Balaam was an oracle who God used. Melchizedek was given offerings by the Israelites. Balaam lived among the people who worshiped Baal and these same people are the ones who Israel played the harlot with. There is no comparison to these men as I thought because one worship God, Melchizedek, and Balaam didn’t worship God. Continue Reading…
Living life in radical obedience to God in Numbers 31 and 32
Stand firm in your faith against opposition: Numbers 23 and 24
In Numbers 22 the story of Balaam started where Balak, king of Moab, was desiring to see Balaam curse Israel. In Numbers 23 and 24 we hear what, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered” has to say from God. Continue Reading…
A donkey smarter than it’s master: Numbers 21 and 22
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? Continue Reading…
