Numbers 22-23 & Psalm 30

I cannot express how much I always enjoyed reading about the story of Balaam in Sunday School, it was one of the few times I was ever allowed to say ass because this was the story of Balaam and his ass. Yeah, I know how childish, but of course I was a child.

Anyway, this is one of the treats that we find in scripture, a wonderful and colorful story. The people of Israel have basically overwhelmed the natural inhabitants of the region to the east of the Jordan River. They are poised to make their entrance into the Promised Land, but they still face obstacles. In this story a local King Balak seeks assistance in riding his land of the Israelites so he sends message to Balaam, a seer. This story has not only survived through oral tradition, but archaeological studies have found reference to Balaam dating back to the eighth century before Christ.

While Israel has been kept from entering the Promised Land and have continued to strain against God at times, it is clear that God has blessed Israel as they have grown to great numbers. So much so that kings such a Balak are fearful of the presence of Israel.

This story furthers the understanding that the God of Israel is not just a god of a particular region but a god who speaks to many peoples including Balaam who might reside in modern day Syria or Iraq. After Balaam receives the delegation from Balak, he seeks the counsel of God who tells him not to go. Balak however will not relent and God seems to initially gives approval to Balaam to go.

This is where the story gets really interesting, for if not for the wisdom of a donkey, not known to the be the brightest of animal, Balaam would be dead. While the donkey sees the danger of the journey, the angel of the Lord, Balaam is completely oblivious until God opens his eyes. This encounter seems to reinforce the understanding that Balaam may go to Balak but most only say what the Lord commands.

Numbers 23 contains the first two of Balaam oracles, both which displease Balak since Balaam is unable to curse that which God has blessed. No matter what Balak offers in his sacrifices, God will not turn away from Israel, God remains faithful to the covenant. The extraordinary aspect of this story is that even as Israel is unaware of the threats facing Israel, God is working to protect God's chosen people.

Psalm 30

Thanksgiving is the theme of Psalm 30. Perhaps the psalmist has recovered from a grave illness that brought him or her close to death or perhaps they were just in a dire situation, either way the psalmist rejoices that God heard their prayers and responded with healing.

In his or her rejoicing, the psalmist reminds all of Israel to give thanks to God who is more inclined to favor than anger. After beginning the psalm with rejoicing, the psalmist recounts what happened, how he or she fell into ill health or a dire situation and prayed to God. God responded, and "turned my mourning into dancing."