Balak, Numbers 22:2-25:9
This weeks parasha reminds us of that old adageIf you cant say something nice about a person dont say it all.
The king Balak of Moab seeks to keep the Israelites from prospering and sends for the prophet Baalam to curse the Israelites. If only the King of Moab would have followed this advice he might not have gotten himself into trouble.
Baalam consults with God and God says, Do not go with them. You must not curse that people, for they are blessed. Baalam tries to explain to the kings emissaries why he cannot do the task that the king asked. Several times he tries to get out of going. Finally, God tells Baalam that he may go with the kings messengers but that Baalam the prophet had to follow Gods words exactly.
The King of Moab takes Baalam to look out upon the encampments of the Israelites. Three times King Balak asks Baalam to curse the Children of Israel and three times Baalam tries but out instead comes a blessing. King Balak is enraged. He says to Baalam the prophet, I called you to damn my enemies and instead you have blessed them these three times!
Baalam can only follow Gods command. The most famous of the blessings has found its way into our worship serviceHow fair are your tents, O Jacob, your tabernacles O Israel. Thus instead of curses, there are blessings from a prophet. God protects Israel through the blessings of Baalam, which are really the blessings and protection of God.
And because the King of Moab couldnt say anything nice and invited the curses to begin with, Baalam the prophet upon his leave taking, states a prophecy that is filled with curses. It is as if the King of Moabs who initiated this entire scenarioshouldnt have opened this can wormsfor it was only to be trouble not for the Israelites but for himself.
How interesting that in the previous few weeks Gods anger at the Children of Israel and various leaders and challengers has led to punishments and banishments and yes, even death. But this week the Children of Israel when under attack from the outside are blessed and protected by God. Despite the inner turmoil among the people in the previous weeks, the Israelites still are loved and favored by God. Despite the challenges and the lack of following Gods commandments in previous weeks, the covenant still stands and stands up to any attack from the outsideeven the King of Moab!
The eternal nature of our brit, of our covenant with God should bring us comfort. No divorce between God and the Jewish people. Though we might disappoint Godand God might disappoint us, we have a unique and special relationship that stands even in the face of internal turmoil or attack from without. When we cling tighter to our covenant, we can find hope and comfort in our relationship and in the blessings that indeed come to us from it. May you find the blessing of our brit with God.
Shabbat Shalom.
Posted by Lee at June 25, 2004 04:29 PM
