This weeks lesson

[JonMiller]

I am going to assume that people have read it, but it is here:

Lesson 10

Basically it is about Balaam. Note that he is one of the last people, other than the 3 wisemen (I think) who are part of the magicians/etc but still servants of God. These were common in Abrahams time, but seem to die out in the Bible over time. He definitely isn't directly part of the faith tradition of Israel (although might be part of an ancient related one).

This story points out the specialness of Israel though. It is it's focus.

My take on it is that God didn't really tell Balaam to go with the men and say what God told him to say, that he decided to go and that was what the plan changed to be.

A point is that the moab people could follow God through Balaam/etc, but didn't. Also, that through Balaam God was known (in some fashion) in the surrounding area before Israel settled there. Of course, as the most high God rather than as the only God. It doesn't seem to be a settled issue for even the Jews until after Babylon though.

I am not sure if I understand God having mercy on Balaam for the donkey's sake. Does that tell the importance of donkeys or do we not get it?

From the NT implications, I think the most important thing Balaam did is not related in the OT. That is to tell the moabites/etc how to actually curse the children of Israel. Which is to encourage idol worship and sexual immorality.

Anyone else have thoughts/responses/etc?

JM

 

[Joe67]

I am going to assume that people have read it, but it is here:

Lesson 10

Basically it is about Balaam. Note that he is one of the last people, other than the 3 wisemen (I think) who are part of the magicians/etc but still servants of God. These were common in Abrahams time, but seem to die out in the Bible over time. He definitely isn't directly part of the faith tradition of Israel (although might be part of an ancient related one).

This story points out the specialness of Israel though. It is it's focus.

My take on it is that God didn't really tell Balaam to go with the men and say what God told him to say, that he decided to go and that was what the plan changed to be.

A point is that the moab people could follow God through Balaam/etc, but didn't. Also, that through Balaam God was known (in some fashion) in the surrounding area before Israel settled there. Of course, as the most high God rather than as the only God. It doesn't seem to be a settled issue for even the Jews until after Babylon though.

I am not sure if I understand God having mercy on Balaam for the donkey's sake. Does that tell the importance of donkeys or do we not get it?

From the NT implications, I think the most important thing Balaam did is not related in the OT. That is to tell the moabites/etc how to actually curse the children of Israel. Which is to encourage idol worship and sexual immorality.

Anyone else have thoughts/responses/etc?

JM

JM,

The NT witness to the "wages of unrighteousness" is a very important vein of thought in the understanding of sin.

2 Peter 2:15
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
KJV

Joe

 

[JonMiller]

The results of unrighteouness? Sure, we understand that...

No more thoughts?

JM

 

[Joe67]

The results of unrighteouness? Sure, we understand that...

No more thoughts?

JM

JM,

Balaam and Judas Iscariot were controlled by the same spirit and desire toward the praise of man and financial reward.

King David's son, Adonijah, operated within that same spirit of mind. He did not get "down and dirty" like his brother Absolom.

These are living lessons for us, because the haters of God are alive and working in the world through human instruments today, just as they did 3000 years past. They now take the name of Jesus, to take away their reproach, but their human instruments study their own literature and live their own lifestyle. They attend church to have acceptance with man, along with the financial comforts.

Only God knows who these are, because through our natural mind we would judge Peter a prime candidate for this state of being.

Joe

 

[JonMiller]

I think I understand what you are getting at now.

JM