Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
It’s been a very unproductive day, so far. I suppose it’s partly because I just feel lousy…a sinus/head cold.
Daughter Katherine just called this afternoon with the unhappy news that she lost the little life within her after only a few weeks of pregnancy. At first signs, it generated so much joy. Now deep sadness. But it does make heaven that much more attractive.
I better try to get some work done…for the night cometh when I can’t.
Love, Dad/Ray.
This was part of the message that Balak, King of Moab, sent to a heathen shaman named Balaam who apparently had a noteworthy reputation for performing very strong magic. I think it was overstatement. But if I only had this record to consult, I might be inclined to regard Balaam as an OK guy, perhaps with a general HEART AFTER GOD, even though heathen. After all, I believe that’s about all God really needs to guide people, over time, into paths of righteousness. But some other New Testament assessments made of Balaam indicate a very flawed character (2 Peter 2:13-16; Revelation 2:14-15).
Balak was obviously a man of the world. He cared not for truth. He cared not for God. The whole idea of God was in a class with magic. He wanted what he wanted—and that’s about all there was to it. He only wanted to link up with a god or supernatural power that he could manipulate into compliance—if he paid enough and offered a big enough reward. The delegation Balak sent to Balaam to hire him to perform a specified magic curse against Israel carried with them “the fee for divination” (22:7). I wonder how the cash value was calculated.
Can you imagine having a talking donkey? Balaam actually carried on a question-and-answer conversation with his donkey. But he may have been so overcome with anger at the time that he didn’t even realize what he was doing—dialoguing with his donkey?! But then, maybe that’s too close to magic—certainly not a reliable source of divine guidance. What could be better than having the inspired Word of God along with a HEART AFTER GOD that honestly affirms, “I’m not here to do and get what I want, oh LORD, but to do and get what You want?” That’s a heart recipe for righteousness. Lights come on. Tension and fear is displaced by trust and peace. I can’t imagine a safer and more promising option.