Enemies Seek to do You Harm
Balaam was a seer, oracle, or prophet from antiquity. His story is told in the book of numbers beginning in Chapter 22. He was summoned by the Balak, the king of Moab. Balak was afraid of the Hebrew people that had been wandering in the desert for a generation ever since they left Egypt. He was afraid that the Hebrew people would overrun his kingdom. So as a precaution he summoned a wise and powerful seer, Balaam to curse the Hebrew people.
Balak sent an envoy to Balaam with money and powerful people to pursuade him to come and curse the Israelites. The same night that the envoy arrived Balaam received a message from God. God told Balaam not to go. “Don’t do it.” So the next morning Balaam sent the envoy back to King Balak empty handed.
King Balak was angered and sent a larger envoy with more important people and more treasure to entice and persuade Balaam. Balaam told them on their arrival that even if the king should offer him all of his storehouses filled with gold and silver Balaam could not act against the will of God. But that that night God told Balaam to go with the envoy, but to only speak the words that God directed him.
You Don’t Do What They Want You to Do
Balaam set out from his home to the King of Moab riding on his donkey with two servants walking alongside. In the middle of the road stood an angel with a sword, but Balaam couldn’t see the angel–only his donkey could. So the donkey walked off the side of the road into a field. Balaam got angry at his donkey and hit it. Later, the angel stood again in their path ready to strike Balaam. The donkey moved out of the way but Balaam’s foot was scratched next to a stone wall. So he beat the donkey again. A third time the angel blocked their path with no escape. So the donkey laid down. Balaam beat the donkey a third time. Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. She said, “Why are you beating me? Haven’t I carried you around faithfully all these years?”
Then Balaam’s eyes were opened so that he could see the angel. The angel reprimanded Balaam for beating the donkey who was only trying to protect him. Balaam repented from his sin. He had sought to hurt the donkey, because the donkey wasn’t doing what he wanted. Balak wanted to hurt the Israelite people because they would not behave as he wished. With the fear of God Balaam continued his journey.
God Blesses and Won’t Curse
When Balaam arrives to King Balak he is led to a high place. Seven altars are built where he makes offerings to the Lord. The moment comes for him to curse the Israelitse. But instead of a curse he utters a blessing. King Balak is angry again. They try another location, but only a blessing is given, and finally a third location. But it doesn’t matter where they go. God will only permit Balaam to give a blessing:
“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.”
Numbers 23:9
Every time that an enemy tries to hurt, harm, or utter a curse against his chosen people, God turns it into a blessing.
Because of Holy Baptism we too can be counted among God’s chosen people. When you are baptized God chooses you to be one of God’s own. So that whenever an enemy tries to curse you or utter evil against you they fail. That is what the Beatitudes are all about. God takes people and states of life that might appear to be cursed and blesses them:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven
This past week we lost a member of our church. Jim Wilkey died. Last Sunday I went with Loretta to go and be with Jim’s body while we waited for the morticians to come. Jim was at peace. You could see that. You could also see that at that moment in time he was “poor in Spirit.” His soul had left, and a body without a soul is just that, poor in Spirit. And yet at the same time Jim had inherited the Kingdom of Heaven. No power of evil, or death, or curse could best him. He belonged to the Lord.
Pray for the Holy Spirit
When you are baptized, and after the water has fallen over head we pray for the Holy Spirit. When Balaam was summoned to utter a curse the Holy Spirit fell on him and he could only utter a blessings. Those who have been baptized by God are protected from all evil, and no curse can be uttered over them, but only blessing. You are blessed. If ever you feel that you are vulnerable to an enemy or forces set against you, pray for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit protects you through your baptism. Amen.
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