Numbers 21-22 | Bronze Serpents and Talking Donkeys

Numbers 21 begins with the Israelites facing an attack from the Canaanite king of Arad. With God's help, they were able to defeat their enemy and take some of them captive. However, their journey continued to be arduous and the people became impatient with the long journey, causing them to complain about the lack of food and water. As a punishment, God sent venomous snakes among them, causing many to die. Moses prayed to God, and God instructed him to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole, so that anyone who looked at it would be healed. This was an act of faith for the Israelites, who believed in the power of God to heal them, and it was a symbol of God's mercy towards them.

After this incident, the Israelites continued their journey towards the Promised Land and they conquered the lands of Sihon and Og. These victories were not without their struggles, but the Israelites were determined to trust in God's promises and guidance. In these battles, they saw the power of God at work, and they knew that their success came from Him.

In Numbers 22, we see the Moabite king Balak becoming fearful of the Israelites and seeking the help of the prophet Balaam to curse them. Balaam was known for his spiritual awareness and ability to communicate with God, but he was also known for his greed and desire for wealth. Balak offered Balaam riches in exchange for cursing the Israelites, and Balaam agreed to go with him.

On the way to Moab, Balaam's donkey saw an angel blocking the path and refused to move forward. Balaam became angry and beat the donkey, but the donkey then spoke to him, revealing the presence of the angel. Balaam then saw the angel and was afraid. This was a reminder to Balaam that even though he had spiritual abilities, he was not above God's authority.

When Balaam arrived in Moab, he attempted to curse the Israelites as Balak had requested. However, God intervened and instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blessed them. Balaam recognized that God was with the Israelites and that he could not curse what God had blessed. Despite this, Balaam's greed and desire for wealth led him to offer Balak advice on how to defeat the Israelites through seduction and idolatry.

Balaam's story shows us that even those who are spiritually aware can fail to recognize God as the one true God. Balaam knew of God's power and authority, but his greed led him to make poor choices. Balaam's encounter with the angel and the talking donkey served as a reminder to him that he was not above God's authority, and his failed attempt to curse the Israelites showed that God's will cannot be thwarted. Balaam was ultimately proven to be a fool, as his greed led him to betray God's people, and his attempt to curse them was turned into a blessing.

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