I was utterly amazed in watching the attempted assassination of President Trump; and even more astonished to hear excuses for the terrible act. There were deniers, finger-pointers, and even liars supporting personal political beliefs. Due to an “at all cost” rhetoric to defeat Trump, most people believed that someone would eventually try to shoot the former President. But yet, there was an innocent man who died that day. Amid excuses, did we stop to pray for his family? Did we stop to give thanks for Trump’s life? Did we stop to lift up in prayer our need for Yahweh’s hand? To me, there’s an obvious problem we are dealing with in our country. It’s called self.
In this week’s Torah, we see Balak’s actions to curse Israel. His actions were driven by fear, pride, and a desire to protect his kingdom. This focus on self-preservation blinded him from seeing the bigger picture. . . a Kingdom much bigger than his. To me, Balak’s story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of pride and selfishness. For his well-being was more important than the well-being of others. His corruption closed his eyes.
Have you ever noticed how we at times curse others when we feel threatened? Like Balak, there is a tendency to “hire” others to do something we can’t or won’t do in that we need to keep our position “untarnished.”
Balak is also mentioned in Judges 11:25 and Revelation 2:14. These additional references support the context of his name: empty, devastator. The etymology of the name Balak comes from the sparsely used Hebrew verb בלק (balaq), meaning to waste or lay waste. Balak worshipped the god Chemosh which means destroyer. So how does Balak lay waste? How does his god destroy?
Balak initially conferred with his Midianite allies to block Israelite settlement, before sending his elders (along with Midianite elders) to seek Balaam’s curse on them. The Midianites (From Midian, a son of Abraham and wife Keturah, Gen. 25-1-2) appear to have been co-located with the Moabites (descendants of Moab, son of Lot, born of an incestuous relationship Genesis 19:37) to come against Israel. Both of these groups had lost their way in regards to worshipping the One True God. To them, Israel could pass judgment against them. Therefore, they had common ground and reason to defeat Israel. They seemed content in their sin. Does this sound at all familiar when it comes to America today?
From this apparent peace agreement between Midian and Moab, Balak may have thought of himself as being pretty wise. It would be a tremendous feat to destroy Israel with some of their relatives. And what better way to destroy them than with sexual worship that fed the spirit of lust? Have any of you felt the devasting effects of sexual sin and how it left you empty and destroyed? If so, you may be able to relate to Balak’s “misery loves company” concept. It’s hard to crawl out of, but yet if we open our eyes to true wisdom, I believe we will begin to see a way out.
For the last few weeks, I’ve consistently talked about how our sinful nature tends to view itself as wise. But according to Scripture, the concept of wisdom does not come from ourselves but from YHWH alone. At times, it’s hard to comprehend. Why? Because the nature and power of the One Who is the Face of Yah seems unlikely to us. It seems impossible. Therefore, we strive to protect our interests.
One of the greatest Biblical scholars of all time wrote the following:
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”
Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind. I Corinthians 1:18-25
This writing from Paul should give all of us encouragement. For the power of the cross reaches all who are seeking truth. A Moabite by the name of Ruth is just one example of how Yah can change a life and take it in a direction He has foreordained, and we see Yah working out His perfect plan in Ruth’s life, just as He does with all His children.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Ruth came from a pagan background in Moab a tribe steeped in false worship and one that sought the destruction of Israel; but once she met the God of Israel, Ruth became a living testimony to Him by faith. Ruth, the Moabitess, is one of the few women mentioned in the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah. Let us not be wise in our own eyes. Let us instead come to “know” Messiah so that the Ruach renews and restores us as well.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn