READINGS FOR OCTOBER 14, 2024: NUMBERS 22, ACTS 26, PSALM 106:32-48
Numbers 22
Chapters 22-24 deal with the “prophet”, “seer”, “diviner” named Balaam. Balak, the King of Moab knows that the Israelites are too numerous for his army to defeat. He calls on Balaam to curse the Israelites to defeat them.
We do not know much about Balaam outside of the Bible. He lived in Pethor which is a region or settlement which has never been located. Joshua 13:22 records that Balaam died "by the sword" during a battle for the Reubenite occupation of Moabite land.
In 1967, archaeologists found an 8th Century BC at Deir ‘Alla. The inscription records one of Balaam’s non-Biblical prophecies. It was written in Aramaic (the language of the people of Israel – a combination of Hebrew and Babylonian (Chaldean)).
The first time that King Balak calls Balaam, God comes in a vision and tells Balaam not to go. Balak will not take no for an answer.
The second time God comes to Balaam, God tells him to go. But, to only tell the king what God tells him. To emphasize this, God sends an angel to stop Balaam from proceeding. Three times Balaam’s donkey is stopped from proceeding.
Why did God stop Balaam after God told him to go? The best answer is that it was to emphasize to Balaam that he meant business. It was not a threat. It was a promise.
King Balak went out to meet Balaam. He sacrificed cattle and sheep to the Moabite gods. He provided food to Balaam and took him to the Israelite encampment for Balaam to speak out against the Israelites. But that is not what happens.
Acts 26
King Agrippa invites Paul to share his version of the events. Paul begins with his childhood, his opposition to the followers of Jesus, his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, and ends with his “arrest” upon his trip to Jerusalem. Paul responds to Upon questioning from both King Agrippa and Governor Festus.
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29, NIV)
Paul is praying for all people to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of being in prison for two years, he is still driven to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ to the world. Even to the King Agrippa and the Roman governor, Festus.
Do you have the same passion? Are you convinced that there are people who need to know Jesus? They need to receive the grace and forgiveness that only a relationship with Jesus can provide. They need to hear how Jesus moved in your life; how you were drawn into a saving faith; and how your life is no longer the same.
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 14, 2024 CONTINUED: NUMBERS 22, ACTS 26, PSALM 106:32-48
Psalm 106:32-48
Psalm 106 is a salvation history hymn. It continues to illustrate that Israel has a history of rebellion against God. The psalm ends with a prayer for God to once again save them from their enemies.
This section picks up where the Israelites are grumbling for water in the desert (see Numbers 20 – October 10th). The psalmist blames the people of Israel for the trouble the came to Moses (he would not see the promised land). Their grumbling (rebellion) cause Moses to lose his composure and strike the rock – even though the psalmist attributes it to his harsh words.
Once they began their conquest of Canaan (the Promised Land), the people of Israel did not follow God’s commands. From the moment they appropriated the land, they allowed other nations and tribes to pull them away from God. The Israelites were enticed to worship false gods and to fall victim to vile religious practices. This continued until the time of the Babylonian exile (in 587 BC).
Finally, God allowed Israel’s enemies to conquer and destroy the city of Jerusalem and the nations of Israel and Judah. Because of their sins, the Promised Land was stripped away from them. The people were taken to cities throughout the Assyrian (Israel in 701 BC) and
Babylonian (Judah in 587 BC) Empires. This is where the history ends. It is possible that this psalm was written from the exile.
The psalm ends with a prayer to God to once again save the people. The call is to gather them from all over and bring them back together again. Once they are restored, the people can praise God together for his grace and mercy.
Sometimes, God needs to get our attention. Sometimes when we are so engrossed in life, we do not even see that we have strayed. We get corrupted by our culture and our society and may not even realize we have sinned.
When we fall short of God’s plan, we have sinned. When we fall prey to temptation, we have sinned. When we admit our faults; when we seek forgiveness; God forgives. And in that, we can praise God for God is holy and loving. Through Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins, we can be restored.
