Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Numbers 22-24
It’s one thing to know and quite another to do. Just because we are unaware of our situation, our smugness, and our sin, this doesn’t mean that others aren’t. Meet Balaam, a prophet for hire. His focus on the almighty dollar, metaphorically speaking, was known by God and by the king of the Moabites, Balak. Would Balaam compromise principle to gain wealth? Was Balaam’s conscience so seared that he would sell out God’s people for advancement? And what would God think of all this? The story of Balaam is a picture of many people in this world who are caught between desire for money and faithfulness to God.
Some of the language in this narrative might lead some readers to conclude that Balaam was a true prophet of the Lord. But nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible assigns him the tag of false prophet, although God talked with him. The elders of Moab approached Balaam with the fee for divination,which was no doubt customary. This provides us with a clue to Balaam’s motives and character. The elders repeated the proposal to Balaam, and he asked them to wait until he heard from God. The Lord indeed appeared to Balaam and asked him what all this was about. Balaam repeated Balak’s request that he curse Israel without so much as offering an opinion on whether he felt such a curse was the right thing to do. But God responded by telling Balaam these people were blessed.With this, Balaam returned to the waiting leaders and sent them away, saying the Lord would not permit such a request.
But King Balak refused to yield to Balaam’s first response. He sent other princes to talk with Balaam. These were more numerous and more distinguished than the first. These leaders again asked Balaam if he would curse Israel for them. Balaam responded that no amount of money could turn God’s hand if God had no intention of cursing them. The princes probably came armed with lots of bribe money, and Balaam, we must conclude, was not immune to the temptation. He again asked them to remain while he made request to God on their behalf. God responded by allowing Balaam to go with the men, but he could only do what God told him. This last instruction provides a clue to interpreting the entire narrative and yields insight into the nature of Balaam’s disobedience. He was only to say and do what God told him and no more. We know the rest of the story of the donkey that spoke to warn Balaam as he struggled through the temptation. Are you struggling with a temptation? Look for the donkey!
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to remember that money makes a great servant but a terrible master.
- Lord, please help me to seek to exalt you and your program, and refuse the temptation to do my own thing.
- Lord, please help me to remember the donkey when struggling in the midst of temptation to do or think wrong.
Political
- Senator Sylvia Santana – District 3 – Detroit
- Senator Wayne Schmidt – District 37 – Traverse City
- Representative Andrea Schroeder – District 43 – Clarkston