Parasha Balak: Day 6

Bamidbar/Numbers 24:14-25:9

Much speculation surrounds the changing of narratives between Balaam's escapades and Israel's sin with the Midianites. Some things to consider, however, are the following. First, Balaam is the son of Beor while Israel goes to bow down before Baal of Peor. This could just be coincidence or there could be a relationship that tied Balaam as a son of a false el likened to Israel being children or sons of The Elohim. Second, the high places at which Balaam builds altars and sacrifices were the high places of Peor. While there, Balaam seems to have no difficulty in making sacrifices in an already defiled high place of a false god. Third, Balaam was sent to from Moab through the elders of Midian. He obviously had some type of affiliation with the Midianites and their religious practices. In short, the two narratives are related by the influence of Balaam.

Simply by not realizing who Israel was, not willing to submit to the totality of being Israel and not discerning who he really served, Balaam could have mistaken Baal of Peor, or any other Baal for that matter, to be one and the same as YHVH Elohim. This would be completely false! Yet, it could shed light on why Balaam would so easily sacrifice on the same high places and refer Balak to Baal of Peor as a way to ensnare Israel. As seen later in Bamidbar 31, Torah relates that it is Balaam that gives counsel for Midianite to seduce Israel with their women. As he sees that he is not part of Israel but tries to function as one who is pleasing in the sight of YHVH, Balaam could easily discount commingling and pagan practices with other nation's baals as just another way to serve Elohim. Possibly, the advice given to the Midianites to seduce Israel could have been for the sake of capturing their attention and making a covenant with them in contrast to causing them to serve other elohim.

Whatever the reason or rationale, Balaam angered YHVH and caused Israel to play the harlot. Yet, this was evidently in the hearts of the sons of Israel. Otherwise, why would they so readily go to the women of Midian? YHVH used this episode in the desert to purge Israel of that many more of the generation that left Egypt and would not enter the Promised Land. 

It does seem that YHVH gives opportunity for stumbling blocks to be placed in the way of His people in order to test and purify them. For this reason, it is only a remnant that made it into the Promised Land (of those who originally left Egypt), and it will only be a remnant of those who think they live for YHVH who will make it through the tribulation or into the kingdom of heaven. With all of this, it is up to Israel, us as YHVH's people that have entered into Covenant with YHVH Elohim alone and through Yeshua, to choose to serve Him alone. 

We cannot barter for another elohim or confuse the traditions, rites or rituals of this world or its false religions with the true worship and adoration of our King. The result will be the expulsion from Israel and the separation from YHVH. Nor can we allow ourselves to give counsel to seduce other parts of Israel to wrong choices, false covenants or pagan worship. The result is the same as the curse will be returned upon our own heads. All of these are immoral acts and giving ourselves over to the false gods created by men. The hidden manna awaits, along with a white stone and a new name written on that stone, for those that overcome these trials and tests. (Revelation 2:12-17)

Dwell upon Psalm 16:3-5, "As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips. YHVH is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot."