Numbers 22-24: Balaam
Introduction
- Satan sought a new way to fight against the people of God... not through armies and leaders, but by a curse
Balak Sends for Balaam
- Seeing all the danger around him, instead of preparing for war and for battle, Balak king of Moab sent for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites.
- Who is Balaam?
- Does not belong to the people of God
- He was a magician or diviner and God used him for His divine mission and purpose
- St Gregory of Nyssa believes that Balaam was using satanic power, but God was showing the inability of Satan to harm His children; that if Satan intends to curse, he is committed to bless.
- Origen believes Balaam was a magician using Satan's power, but God intervened because of His love for Israel
- Revelation 2:14 "who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication"
- God speaks to Balaam and commands him
- Balaam even replies "the Lord my God"
Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel
Balaam's First Prophecy
- Speaks of the incarnation
Balaam's Second Prophecy
- Speaks of the passions and Resurrection
Balaam's Third Prophecy
- Speaks of the Day of Pentecost