140 Looming Challenges (Num 23)

Another fishing trip looms.
As well as the adventure of fishing new waters.
Possibly even salty waters.
A new challenge calls me.
"Blog using your iPod."
Hmmmm.
It sounds feasible. It sounds possible.
It sounds hard.
I'm predicting some short entries come Wednesday.
We'll see.
Actually, I am worried my eyesight may be affected.
It's a teeny tiny screen.
Will my chunky fingers deal with the lack of a keyboard?
Of course.
The joys of WiFi and wireless internet thingys scattered countrywide.

Numbers 23
Well the delay was longer than I expected.
Sorry to those with fingernails chewed off to the elbow.
The climax is still a bit on the "anti" side of things at this point.
It's as if Balaam is playing with Balak here.
v3 "Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me"
It's a bit funny.
Make these altars.
Get this stuff ready.
And then PERHAPS!!

There is a difference here between a curse and a CURSE.
I'm sure if Balak just wanted Balaam to say bad things about the Israelites, then he may have been happy.
If it was just words to give him some confidence in his upcoming confrontations, that may have been suffice.
He recognises though, that there is real power in God.
He recognises that a curse will really come to pass if it comes from God.
He does however, get the process muddled up.
God will curse those who warrant it and then he will let them know via a prophet or whoever.
The prophet doesn't tell God what to do.
Balaam has no control except as a mouthpiece.
Balaam knows this.
Balak doesn't.
Balak's faith in the prophet is misguided and fruitless.
Hence his annoyance.
Lack of comprehension leads to frustration.
Obviously he is used to getting his way.
All the time!!
He could have built a thousand altars.
He could have sacrificed a gazillion cattle and God would not pander to his desire to see Israel cursed.
But he tries again.
And again.
To change the mind of God.
He must have some wealth and heaps of spare time.
He should find a hobby.

The comfort here is for the Israelites.
God is still with them.
Despite the anger at their moaning and muttering and complaining, they are still His people.
He still has a plan for them.
He still has love for them.
His grace continues.
As a nation, they will still receive His promise and blessing.

There's reassurance for us in that as well.
:D