Balaam - Tragedy of "having a form of godliness but denying its power."

Balaam - the tragedy of having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Scriptures are a record of God calling people, calling them to repentance and faith in Him and Jesus Christ. The Word of God provides an ongoing call of His call to faith and obedience. Even as God’s call is explained, individual responses to God’s call are als recounted for posterity. Some of those responses are overt. Some are covert.

With the Book of Numbers and God’s call of His people out of Egypt to the promised land, there is overt reaction of leaders like Balak, the king of Midian. There is also the covert reaction of Balaam.

By Numbers 22-24 - the first generation that refused to trust God to give them the promised land is dying off and the the next generation will soon have their own chance to respond by faith. This time span here was 40 years when the Israelites wandered i the wilderness. For the most part it was wilderness where God provided for them. From time to time God led the Israelites through territory controlled by kings. For the Israelites, passing through lands east of the Jordan was only about right of passage. They did not ask for food or water, just to be allowed to pass through. Rather than respond with grace, the king of the Amorites and his people attacked the Israelites. Defending themselves, the Israelites defeated the Amorites and their cities - Num 21:21-30. The same thing happened with regard to the king of Bashan. In this instance as well, the king of Bashan and his people were the aggressors. Confronted with their aggression, Moses did not respond until God told to respond because He promised victory - Nu 21:31-35.

As the Israelites moved on the Moabites and Midianites became concerned because of what had happened to the Amorites.

It seems that there was no concern over what the Amorites and people of Bashan had done to precipitate the defensive action by Israel.

It seems that they also forgot original family ties. The Moabites were descendants of Lot - Gen 19:36-37 . The Midianites were descendants of Abraham and Keturah, the wife that Abraham took after Sarah died - Gen 25:1-4

And because of the passing of time and lack of direct interaction with the Israelites, the Moabites and Balak were unaware that God had forbidden the Israelites from attacking Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:9 ESV

And the Lord said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.’