We left just as Balaam arrived at Balak’s request. Balaam knew what was expected from Balak, but now must carefully walk and talk as not to once again anger Jehovah.
Numbers 23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here." 23:2 Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
What is Balaam instructing Balak to do and why? Do they actually think that this veiled attempt to worship Jehovah will actually convince Jehovah that they are really worshiping Him? “There is no feast, festival, or sacrifice of this type given by Jehovah to His people, but seven is a oft referred to number of wholeness or completeness.
23:3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you." So he went to a bare hill.
Was he really going to do Jehovah’s will or just leaving to start his idolatrous divination to his god, Satan?
23:4 Now God met Balaam, and he said to Him, "I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar." 23:5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus."
So Balaam had to bring attention to his burnt offering, as if to appease Him as he must have often appeased his gods. What ever Balaam expected, Jehovah came to him with a warning and command.
23:6 So he returned to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, he and all the leaders of Moab.
23:7 He took up his discourse and said, "From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab's king from the mountains of the East, 'Come curse Jacob for me, And come, denounce Israel!'
23:8 "How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?
23:9 "As I see him from the top of the rocks, And I look at him from the hills; Behold, a people who dwells apart, And will not be reckoned among the nations.
23:10 "Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, And let my end be like his!"
As Jehovah said, you will only speak the words I put into your mouth. In comparison, Balaam’s donkeys could only speak because Jehovah put words into his mouth as well. It is not as if, Balaam truly desired to honor Jehovah. He sounds like an unprepared and even unwilling instrument of Jehovah’s plans.
23:11 Then Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have actually blessed them!"
23:12 He replied, "Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?"
So neither seems reluctant to acknowledge Jehovah, neither worshiped Him either. Regardless, Balak expected Balaam to honor and obey him. In fact, he is quite upset at Balaam’s dishonoring of him and failure to do what he expected Balaam to do. After all he promised much to Balaam, sent two different envoys to appeal to him, and promised him all that the world desires.
The world can’t and won’t understand anyone who doesn’t strive for, seek after, or desire what they have to offer. A world without Jehovah, simply goes to the highest bidder, strongest army, or most powerful leaders.
More next Saturday.