Numbers 21 – 22
Did ever a people have its ups and downs like Israel?
After their victory over the Canaanites, the people, impatient with the long journey, began to speak against God and Moses. God sends poisonous snakes among the people and many died after being bitten. Once again, the people call out to Moses, admit their sin and ask him to pray for them. God tells Moses to put a bronze snake on a pole. This did not stop people being bitten, but if they looked at the bronze snake, they did not die from the bite.
God provides them with water and the people sing about the water.
To shorten the journey, Moses asks King Sihon if they may pass through his land. The King not only refuses to let them through his territory, he also brings his whole army and attacks them. Israel defeats them soundly and then just as soundly defeats King Og and his people.
In the days before cell phones and other electronic means of communication, you would think it would take a while for word to spread about such happenings. Not so. The Moabite (remember: Moab was one of Lot’s sons by his daughter) king, Balak, was aware that the Israelites were traveling the plains of Moab and saw how many there were. He knew what they had done to the Amorites and was very afraid. He sends for Balaam to curse the people so he (Balak) can conquer them. Balaam apparently had a reputation for being able to bless and curse people.
We know God spoke to Balaam and told him not to curse the Israelites, because they had been blessed by God. Balaam sends Balak’s messengers back, but Balak did not take “no” for an answer. He sends more messengers with an offer of more money. Balaam speaks to God again and He gives permission for Balaam to go with them, but not to do anything He does not tell him to do. On his way to see Balak, we have the incident with the donkey.
God knows the intentions of our heart and I think he knew how proud Balaam was that Balak, the king, had sent for him. He wanted to accept the money offered. As Peter says in 2 Peter 2:15, “They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.” Jude (verse 11) talks about Balaam deceiving people for money.
As we will see in the next few chapters, Balaam does not walk away unscathed.
Tomorrow, it’s Numbers 23 – 25.
My New Kindle Fire Cover
Today, I finished a case for my Kindle Fire. I made it out of leather and it took several hours to lace it up – much longer than it took to carve and stamp it. When it was all done, I decided I would make a different case for it. I knew my cousin’s friend Roger had just gotten a Kindle Fire so I asked Richard to see if Roger wanted it.
The one I made was from a kit and I would like one that will hold , not only the Kindle itself, but also the charger and maybe some headphones.
Here is what it looked like:
$4.25 Gasoline
Today, I saw a station where the price for regular unleaded was $4.25. The station usually is a lot higher than others – today was no exception. I hope it is not a portent of things to come.
Until next time…
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