The Curse Becomes a Blessing - March 15 Readings: Numbers 21-22, Mark 13:24–37, Psalm 35:14–20, Proverbs 7:9–11

Links to March 15 Readings:  Numbers 21-22, Mark 13:24–37,Psalm 35:14–20, Proverbs 7:9–11

Balaam is a mysterious Old Testament personality, introduced in Numbers 22. He was evidently Gentile, but it is unclear if he was a prophet of the God of Israel, or a pagan prophet. He sought wisdom from Yahweh, but also practiced divination. But what cannot be debated is that in this story God spoke clearly to him and there is much we can learn from the exchange.

The story begins, in Numbers 22, as Israel is nearing the end of its 40 years of wilderness wanderings. They are also creating quite a stir among the Canaanites and those nations east of the Jordan. Among those nations is Moab, whose king, Balak, was wary of this nomadic nation and their intent. He heard stories circulating of the supernatural workings of God to protect, preserve and promote the nation of Israel.

So, he thought his best choice might be to get some supernatural help. That is where this obscure prophet Balaam came into the picture. Balak offered him money to somehow get God (or the gods) to curse the Israelites. Pagans believed that their magic could cause the gods to act in certain ways, to bless them and to curse others - if only they said the right words, performed the right sacrifices, or completed the right acts of devotion. Balak assumed that Balaam could bring a curse on Israel and hired him to do so.

Time and again he tried. He would perform the sacrifices he thought might get him on Yahweh's good side so that he could rob Israel of its favored status. But time and again, God gave him a clear message - one of blessing. No amount of pagan religion, no amount of demonic power, no amount of political intrigue could bring a curse on the people of God. Every attempt to curse Israel became a blessing.

There is a lesson in that for all of us. We live in an evil world and it scares us to think what is coming down the road. The land of our childhood will not be the land that our children's children grow up in. The tide of evil seems high and hostility toward Christianity is growing in many (powerful) circles.

But evil cannot curse the obedient people of God. We serve the Living God; his arm is not short and he is not threatened or intimidated by the world's evil. He can turn the world's curses into blessings. We cannot see it now, perhaps, but God is still in charge. Evil is growing, but it will never conquer God or nullify his power.

As we live in this dark world, let us remember who is in charge. We sometimes get fixated on fighting evil but it is more important that we draw near to God. As we draw near to God, his blessing, his power, his presence will draw near to us and put the devil on the defensive.

God of glory and power, I trust in you. I take my eyes off the sin and evil in this world and I put it on you. I know that you can take the curse of sin and turn it into a blessing for your people. I thank you for the privilege of knowing and serving you.