Monday 15 December 2008

Background

This mysterious reading is full of strange sayings andunfamiliar characters. Balaam son of Beor sounds like he would bemore at home in Tolkien's Middle Earth than in Israel's wanderingsin the wilderness, but this is where we find him.

The book of Numbers deals in detail with the time after the Exodus(when the Israelites were freed from servitude in Egypt) and thegiving of the Law, and follows God's wandering people into manydisputes and battles, as they constantly try to organise themselvesinto a community of character and faithfulness. At the point oftoday's reading, they are at their final long encampment at Moab,before entering the Promised Land.

Balaam's story begins in chapter 22, takingus temporarily away from the main story with Moses and Co, and intoenemy territory. The king of Moab lies in fear for his kingdom,having seen what has happened to some of the other nations whofought Israel, so Balaam is called in to advise him, and to cursethe Israelites.

During his time, Balaam was a famous middle-eastern prophet; aseer; a visionary - legendary in every sense of the word - who wasknown to have power to bless and curse whoever he pleased, and alsohad a famous talking donkey (Numbers 22 - thousands of years beforeShrek!) What was most remarkable about Balaam, however, was thathe, a foreigner, a Gentile (non-Jew), used the name of the Lord -not just calling him 'God', but the holiest of Jewish titles: YHWH(shown in English by the capitalized 'LORD').

Our reading today covers part of Balaam's final 'oracles' to theking (he didn't get the message the first two times) as they lookout onto the tents and encampments of Israel. Here "the spirit ofGod came upon him" and the pagan Balaam foresaw not only Israel'svictory and blessing, but also a future king ('star' and 'sceptre'being royal symbols). So we see the presence of the LORD in themost unlikely people and places.

To Ponder

What is the attitude of your church towardspeople of other faiths and cultures? How can you recognise God'sSpirit speaking through them, as with Balaam?

Where have you seen the presence of the Lord inunlikely people and places?

The 'star' rising out of Jacob (verse 17) hasbeen linked with the star of Bethlehem that led similar 'seers'from the east on a similar journey thousands of years later (Matthew 2:2). CouldBalaam's prophecies really have led to these Magi witnessing theirfulfilment in the new born king?