Summary: Balak, the king of Moab, is concerned about the Israelites on his borders. He sends envoys to the magician Balaam to curse them. God appears to Balaam and tells him he may not, as the Israelites are blessed. Balak sends for him again, promising great rewards. God tells him to go with them, but still becomes angry with Balaam. He sends an angel to block Balaam's way. Only Balaam's ass sees the angel; when Balaam beats the ass for turning aside, the ass tells him what's really happening. The angel reiterates that Balaam is to go on, but to say only what God tells him to.
Having met with Balak, Balaam has altars built on a high place where he can see the Israelites, and communes with God. He blesses, rather than curses, them, and prophesies future success for them. Balak is not pleased, but Balaam does the same twice more. Balak dismisses him, but Balaam makes one final oracle, specifically noting that Moab will be conquered.
Thoughts: The OBC does its best, but the events of 22:21 through 22:23 still don't make sense. God first says, "If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them." He does go with them, and then, "And God's anger was kindled because he went." Seriously, what? I'm just not following this at all.
Balaam's ass was a pretty popular story in medieval times, I believe, because, hey, talking animals!
Great quotes: God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn (Num 24:8) I wasn't aware unicorns were known for strength. Learn something every day.
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