February 20

February 20

Numbers 21–22

Scripture Text: Numbers 21:1–22:41

Series: Read the Bible in a Year

The Israelites have gone from wanting to have their own way through Kadesh, to death and mourning, to defeat and victory, right back to complaining. Once again, they have become impatient to get where they are going. And let us be clear; they just want to be there — the promised land or Egypt. They just do not want to be in the wilderness, depending on God. 

For their impatience with God's route Canaan, he gives them something to really worry about: snakes that bit them and caused many Israelites to die. It is so bad that the people confess their sin against God and Moses, begging him to ask God to take them away. He does, and God's response is purposefully ludicrous. He instructs Moese to make a bronze snake and place it on a standard. When anyone is bitten, if he looks at the snake on the pole, he will be healed. Notice that God does not remove the snakes. What he does do is provide relief from the consequences of their sin.

Ask yourself: who would believe such a thing? Just look at the snake statue and you will get better. We must take God at his word. Be baptized and be saved. Have faith and be right with God. This is my body. This is my blood. Ludicrous at face value but God's word to be believed. 

Chapter 22 is the story of Balaam and his talking donkey. Balak, possibly the king of Moab, is concerned with the Israelites because he knew they had defeated the Amorites. So, Balak calls a prophet, Balaam, to curse the Israelites. He offers Balaam anything he desires, so long as he curse the Israelites. Balaam asks God for direction and, of course, God tells hom not to curse the people. 

Balaam may have been a prophet of sorts but he was alao a greedy idolator. He wanted to take Balak's riches, hoping God would relent, allowing him to curse the people. God knew, only too well, Balaam's motivation to help Balak. On his way to be with Balak, Balaam's donkey refuses to move (since an angel blocked his way) and Balaam whacks her with his staff. The donkey  and Balaam then, have a short conversation, accentuated by the prophet being permitted to see the angel, who admonishes him.

Balaam, perhaps now fearing for his well-being, goes ahead to meet with Balak, only to tell him tghat he must only speak the words that God puts in his mouth. In this, one may surmize that Balaam himself is but a donkey.  

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