I am reading the book of Numbers right now and I’m tripped up on this diviner mentioned in chapters 22-24. His name is Balaam and I’d like to know more about him.
What is a diviner? Is he a profit of sorts? Maybe my confusion has to do with his sudden appearance and his communication with God.
I wonder if he knew The Lord prior to this time or did he only encounter God briefly due to Balak’s threat to Israel.
I hope this makes sense I forgive me if I posted this question to the wrong forum.
Francis said:
I am reading the book of Numbers right now and I’m tripped up on this diviner mentioned in chapters 22-24. His name is Balaam and I’d like to know more about him.
What is a diviner? Is he a profit of sorts?
It seems that he did. There is no indication that Balaam was at all unfamiliar with God’s presence. Plus, the words which God used to describe His relationship to Abraham were used to describe Balaam:
Numbers 22:6 Now come, curse this people for me,[c] since they are stronger than I am. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed and whoever you curse is cursed.”
Genesis 12:
Abram’s Call and Migration. 1 The Lord said to Abram: Go forth[a] from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.
or did he only encounter God briefly due to Balak’s threat to Israel.
I don’t think so. One of the things that surprises me when reading the Bible, is that God used to speak directly to heathen people. For example, remember this episode from Abraham’s life:
Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
I think the Balaam episode highlights the fact that God had been working with all the peoples of the world before the coming of Moses and Israelites, trying to make them turn to Him and obey His Commandments. But, they refused. Balaam seems to be a prime example. See how God instructs him to not go with those men. And originally, Balaam obeys. But when tempted a second time, Balaam says he needs to speak to God. Even though he knows that God doesn’t want him to go.
Then, God instructs him to go IF THE MEN ASK HIM AGAIN, but Balaam does not wait and saddles his mule as soon as he wakes up and starts to go.
I hope this makes sense I forgive me if I posted this question to the wrong forum.
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