Balak

Numbers 22:2 to 25:59                                                                                   

Haftarah: Micah 5:6 to 6:8

Psalm 16                                                                                                                            

Apostolic Writings/Newer Testament/Brit HaChadashah: Luke 9:15 to 62

As I write this, it is exactly 6 years since Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by the Hamas. He was on border patrol when his unit was attacked, and Corporal Shalit was abducted. This happened on June 25th 2006. Please pray for his safe release; he is now 23 years old and will be 24 in August.

The main story in this weeks Parsha is familiar to almost everyone. It is the account of the talking donkey. Much misunderstood, the story at its core says that even false prophets can be used by The Almighty. This is not to say that we should simply accept the words of every prophet, but that The Almighty can over-rule.

"And Balak the son of Zippor," begins the Parsha that bears the name of the Moabite king, "saw all that Israel had done to the Emori. And Moab was seized with dread because of the children of Israel."
Balak sends the "elders of Midian and the elders of Moab" to the prophet and sorcerer Balaam the son of Beor, with the following message:
Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; they cover the face of the earth, and they sit opposite me.
Come now therefore, I entreat you, and curse me this people, for he is mightier than me... For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
Balaam tells them that he'll give his response the next morning, "as G-d shall speak to me." "Do not go with them" says G-d to Balaam that night. "Do not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Here we have 2 Tribes who were usually enemies (see Genesis chapter 36 verse 35); they join forces against the Jewish people. The charge, that the Jewish people are growing too numerous, is a common one. It was used by the Pharaohs counsellors; it was used by the advisors of Achashverosh and it is used here. It is also used in our time; many people are under the impression that there are millions of Jewish people in the UK, because we, as a people, punch above our weight. There are a disproportionate number of Jewish people in politics, according to some. The Zionist Lobby is too powerful, they say. For example Colin Chapman in his book Whose Promised Land says that six million Jews in the USA have an influence that is out of all proportion to their numbers. A paper will be presented to the Methodist Church later this year which, essentially, calls for boycotts of Israeli goods, services and academics, blaming the State of Israel for all the ills of the Middle East. While CMJ is not an apologist for any Israeli Government (and neither am I) we have consistently called for Messiah-inspired balance. If you are a Methodist, please contact your Minister and ask him / her not to support the adoption of this report.

In our Haftarah we have a passage from Micah which names Balak. The Prophet says that the remnant if Israel will be in the midst of many peoples; there are striking similarities with passages of Ezekiel. There is the promise that The Almighty will deal with those who wish Israel ill, and that Moshienu our Rescuer will also be Moshichenu our Messiah. 

Psalm 16 verse 3 says that those who run after (literally follow after) other deities will be brought to ruin. This is not to be read in a triumphalistic way, as some read the passages which speak of the victory of The Almighty and His Army. Rather, we should do what we can to take or lead as many as we can to safety in Yeshua. Only in Messiah Yeshua are people safe. We should not gloat in the destruction of our enemies, but mourn the fact that they have willingly and knowingly turned their backs on the Ultimate Truth.

In our narrative from the book of Luke we have some of Yeshuas followers wanting to destroy those who rejected Him with fire from the heavens! Though this may at times sound like a good idea, it is not what Yeshua says. He turned and rebuked them.

Judgement will indeed come; but only when it truly is the only option left. The Almighty isnt willing that any should perish, but that ALL should make Teshuvah repentant walking.

As we read of plots against Israel; as we read of antisemitism rising (even in some Christian circles, sadly); let us try not to call for judgement, but to redouble our efforts in taking the Good News to all people.

With that in mind, have a sweet Sabbath!