Shalom Chaverim (friends),
Greetings from the beautiful land of Israel and welcome to this week's Torah study from Parashat Balak { בָּלָק }.
“And Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.” (Numbers 22:2)
If I could pick only one Torah study that is most relevant to our situation today in Israel and the Middle East it would have to be this one!
The King of Moab, Balak, commissioned a sorcerer/prophet named Balaam, בִּלְעָם to go curse Israel. This was Moab's military strategy to defeat Israel - but God had other plans.
Balaam Receiving Balak’s Messengers (illustration from the 1890 Holman Bible)
When Balaam finally agreed to go with Balak's men, God sent an angel to block his path.
Balaam and the Angel (illustration from the 1890 Holman Bible)
“Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him.” (Numbers 22:22)
This angel was sent as an ‘adversary’ against him. In the Hebrew, it is called a ‘satan’ שָׂטָן to him. ‘Satan’ is not really the devil’s name. In Hebrew he doesn’t even have a name but a title which means ‘the adversary’.
The donkey could see the angel and tried to turn away, but Balaam at first could not see the angel and so he beat his poor donkey until God opened his mouth and gave the animal the ability to speak.
We often blame ‘the enemy’ for frustrating our plans and standing in the way of the path we wish to take, but we must keep in mind that this adversary (satan) may not be 'the devil' after all; but may actually be a messenger sent from God to keep us from following our chosen pathway leading to destruction.
An Angel Met Balaam with a Sword (illustration from the 1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us by Charles Foster)
This is something the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) is speaking strongly to me about today. We are not to despise His chastisement or detest His correction; but rather be thankful that, like a good Father, He loves us enough stop us in our tracks if we're headed in a way that is 'contrary' to His perfect will.
"My son (or daughter), despise not the chastening of יהוה; neither be weary of His correction:For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:11-12)
God used a talking donkey to speak to Balaam. I don't know about you, but I'm truly thankful for Adonai's correction - even if it comes through some donkey (ass).
Although he was known to possess legendary supernatural powers to bless or to curse, Balaam was unable to curse Israel and three times pronounced a blessing instead.
Balaam Blessing the Israelites (illustration from the 1728 Figures de la Bible)
To King Balak's dismay, Balaam admitted the futility of cursing Israel, “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:8)
Many have come against the nation of Israel in the past but they have not succeeded in destroying her. There are a growing number of people and nations who are attempting the same folly of cursing Israel.
And we know from the Word of God that in the future all nations will gather against Jerusalem; but who can curse those whom Adonai Himself has blessed?
“On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” (Zechariah 12:3)
God forbade Balaam from going with the men to curse Israel, saying, “Thou shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)
Here's the twist to the story, however: even though Israel could not be cursed because of God's blessing upon her, when her people fell into the temptation of sins of idolatry and sexual immorality, God removed His covering of protection and blessing.
“Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.” (Numbers 25:1-3)
God's anger was aroused against His people and 24,000 perished in a plague.
How is this so relevant to us today?
Those of us in a covenanl relationship with the Almighty God are blessed and protected from the destruction that others attempt to bring upon us. But we can remove ourselves from this covering through our own sins.
We must keep ourselves pure, holy, and set apart from the sins of the world especially in these days of increasing darkness and wickedness upon the earth.
In a disastrous move, (shortly after passing another disastrous law forbidding American citizens born in Jerusalem to list 'Israel' as country of birth) the U.S. Supreme Court just passed a law making homosexual marriages legal in all fifty states.
Rainbow-colored lights shine on the White House to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage June 26, 2015 in Washington, D.C. The high court ruled 5-4 that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
More than 21 nations have already legalized same sex marriage; but God has called Israel to be holy and set apart for Him – not to be like all the other nations.
Please pray that Israel will not follow suit; but will stand upon God's Word in the Torah on this issue!
Let us pray that God will save Israel from all her enemies who try to curse her; and instead turn that curse into a blessing for Israel.
However let us also pray that the leaders and people of Israel will seek after God with all of their hearts and will walk in righteousness before Him.
There is another highly relevant point from this parashah that I want to make. The Word of God warns us against following in the ways of Balaam. What were the errors of Balaam's ways that we need to avoid?
1. Balaam associated with those who wanted to destroy the Jews(Midianites) and in the end, helped bring destruction upon Israel by his evil counsel.
Jewish mystics consider Balaam’s name as meaning ‘without a nation or people’ (bli – am), suggesting that by going to curse Israel he became excluded or cut off from a place with the community of Heaven (Olam habah).
According to the Mishna[1], Balaam’s sins included such characteristics as “an evil eye (stinginess and greed), a haughty spirit and a proud soul.... [They] inherit Gey Hinnom ( Hell) and descend to the pit of destruction.”
How many people or nations are cutting themselves off from a place in Heaven by attempting to curse the Jews?
God has promised to bless those who bless the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and to curse those who curse us. [2]
By taking upon himself the task of cursing the Jews, Balaam entered into Jewish history books as “Balaam Harashah” (Balaam[3] the Wicked).
God warns us to 'get away from the tents of the wicked' who rebel against God and to 'come out from among them and be separate.' (Korach Numbers 16)
There are some within the Christian Church who not only associate with, but also financially support charities and causes with an anti-Israel and even anti-Semitic agenda.
The United Church of Christ joined other American churches in boycotting Israeli businesses in Judea and Samaria. Israel’s foreign ministry slammed the move, saying their position is not based on reality.
From the example of Balak and Balaam, we can see that being drawn into despising Israel is a dangerous path – and it seems that talking donkeys are in short supply these days!
May God’s people disassociate from those who curse Israel and teach anti-Semitic lies. May the followers of Yeshua, both Jews and Gentiles, choose to stand with Israel unto the very end.
Thank you so much for standing with our family and ministry here in the Land of Israel with your faithful prayers and generous support. May the God of Israel richly bless you and faithfully keep you under the shelter of His wings - now and forevermore. We love and appreciate you!
To send a special offering, you can donate on-line through paypal: http://www.voiceforisrael.
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