CURSE THEM

“’Therefore, please come, and curse this people for me, because they are stronger than I am. Maybe I will be able to strike them down and drive them out of the land, for I know that whomever you bless is in fact blessed, and whomever you curse is in fact cursed.’”
Numbers 22:6

Under the direction of the fire by night and cloud by day, the people of Isra’el were lead to the plains of Mo’av, beyond the Yarden River, opposite Yericho. When Balak, the son of Tzippor and king of Mo’av saw what Isra’el had done to the Emori, he became scared. His reaction was to send for Bil’am. Bil’am’s fame preceded him as a man whose words came true. When Bil’am blessed someone, blessings fell. When Bil’am cursed someone, the curse fell. So hired by Balak, Bil’am was asked to bring a curse upon Isra’el so that they would be useless in a battle against Mo’av. That night, however, when Bil’am sought God, he was advised not to curse the nation.
When Balak heard Bil’am’s response, he did his best to cancel the words of Adonia. A wealthy price was promised. Bil’am’s response to this was that the price was not the issue, but rather the need to obey. In the evening God came to Bil’am and said that he indeed was now to go, but was only to speak the words of Adonai.
In reading verse 20, we read that God gave Bil’am permission to go as long as he acted in obedience. But in verse 22 we read that God’s anger burned because he went. As such, an angel of Adonai stationed himself on the path. Unable to see this angel, Bil’am beat his donkey in an act to have it get back on the path when it started to veer. A little farther down the road this same action of veering and beating took place again because the donkey saw the angel when Bil’am did not. Twice more this action happened until finally, out of nowhere, the donkey spoke. After a brief conversation between the donkey and Bil’am, the eyes of Bil’am were opened to allow him to see the angel of the LORD, with sword drawn and standing in the middle of the road. Why did Adonai’s anger flare up in verse 22? Because as the angel told Bil’am, he rushed to oppose Adonai. When Bil’am offered to return the angel spoke in reprise that Bil’am was to go, but only speak as directed by Adonai.
I am challenged by this account. It is a simple challenge, yet still one that cuts me deep. Am I one who rushes to oppose Adonai? I have been questioning of myself since the beginning of July that old motto, “What Would Jesus Do?” There are many times when I have rushed to do what I wanted, or what I felt the right response was, but is it safe to say that I have also rushed to oppose Adonai. Sadly, I say yes. How many times has my life been spared by the donkey who sees the angel that I fail to see?

Numbers 22:2-12
Numbers 22:13-20
Numbers 22:21-38