Balak, the Moabite King, wanted
Balaam, the sorcerer, to curse Israel. He believed that those that
Balaam curse, are cursed and those that Balaam bless are blessed.
God told Balaam not to curse Israel for He had decided to bless
Israel. But Balaam didn't listen. The lure of the money promised by
Balak was one too many and in the end Balaam did go to Balak in the
hope of 'twisting God's arm' and cursing Israel. Balak took Balaam
to Bamoth-baal, from where he could see the Israelites spread out
before him. There he wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites with a
nice 'bird's eye view'. Balaam then told Balak:
"Build me seven altars here, and
prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for a sacrifice." Balak
followed his instructions, and the two of them sacrificed a young
bull and a ram on each altar." Numbers 23:1,2
Then Balaam went to consult the
Lord again to ask if he can curse Israel. He had hoped that the
offering would have helped to change God's mind. Of course it
didn't. God refused to allow Balaam to curse the Israelites.
Instead God caused Balaam to speak a blessing over them. Balak was
needless to say, very angry with Balaam. But he didn't give up. He
took Balaam to yet another place, the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah
Peak. He hoped that maybe God would allow Balaam to curse the
Israelites from there. Again they built seven altars and offered a
young bull and ram on each altar. Balaam again consulted with God.
And God again refused and caused Balaam to bless Israel instead.
Balak was very angry at the turn of events, but he didn't let that
deter him. He took Balaam to yet another place, to the top
of Mount Peor in the hope that God would allow him to curse the
Israelites from up there. Again the same ritual was followed. Seven
altars were built and a bull and a ram were offered on each. Then
the Spirit of the Lord came upon Balaam and he started prophesying
many blessings over Israel. This time King Balak was beside himself
with anger.
"I called you to curse my enemies!
Instead you have blessed them three times. Now get out of here! Go
back home! I had planned to reward you richly, but the Lord has
kept you from your reward." Numbers 24:10,11
I smile when I read this event in
the Bible. How silly of King Balak and Balaam to try and change
God's mind. They must have thought the sacrifices will please God
and cause Him to change His mind over the state of Israel. And to
make matters worse, they didn't offer it once or twice, but three
times, thinking that the God of the Universe will change His mind
if they do 'good'. But they were trying to 'buy' God's favor so to
speak in order to commit evil in cursing the Israelites. What they
didn't realize is that God's favor cannot be bought.
And today we must realize it as
well. God's grace and favor cannot be bought. He will not give us
'extra points' if we help out at church. He will not heal us, just
because we gave an extra offering this month. He will not bless you
financially, just because you are serving on the church financial
committee. All these things are wonderful things to do, don't get
me wrong, but don't think it will buy God's favor. It won't. God
loves you for who you are, and His grace is in abundance. And He
will bless your faithfulness and your dedication to Him, but not
always in the way you think, but in the way He knows is
best. Beware of religion and doing things for Him because you think
it will please Him. Rather follow the leading of the Spirit in your
life and do what He tells you to do, not what you
think is best.
Father please forgive us for
thinking that doing good things for You is the way to win Your
heart. Loving You is the most important thing, more important than
doing things for You. Lead us where we need to work for You, but
help us also to have the wisdom to know Your Voice. Thank you that
we can know that You love us, no matter what. In Jesus Name.
Amen