48. Balaam’s Desire for Profit When Seeing Wealth: How can one find a path that can bridge between faith and money?

“You must know clearly that your descendants will be wandering in a foreign land, enslaved and abused for four hundred years. In the fourth generation, your descendants will return to this place, because the Amorites have not yet been fully corrupted. ” [Genesis 15:12-13]

At 120 years old, Moses led a new generation of Israelites from the depths of the wilderness toward the northeast of Canaan. They first crossed the eastern side of the kingdom of Edom, where God commanded Moses not to disturb Edom, because Edom was the territory of Jacob, the elder brother of Israel’s twin brother.

After bypassing Edom, the Israelites crossed the border between Moab and Ammon, because God did not allow the Israelites to harass them. Moab and Ammon were born of two daughters of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, after Lot’s incest. After Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God, they multiplied southeast of the Dead Sea for four hundred years.

To the north of Moab was the border of Sihon, king of the Amorites. The Amorites were descendants of Canaan. After Noah’s flood, they lived locally, producing many kings who ruled different regions. The Amorites were tall and called giants. Forty years ago, they terrified twelve Israelite spies so much that they were afraid to enter Canaan, causing an entire generation to die in the wilderness.

The Amorite religious activities prioritized material gain, disregarding life and morality. To pray for a good harvest, they burned their young children alive in sacrificial fire. During the sacrificial rites, men and women gather in promiscuity. Four hundred years ago, God prophesied to Abraham that the Israelites would eliminate the wicked, unrepentant Amorites, as a warning to all future generations of history.

Shortly after the Israelites entered the Amorite border, one afternoon, two messengers arrived at the home of the prophet Balaam by the Euphrates River.

The early summer wind swept through Balan’s spacious courtyard. Balan wore a thin white robe, sitting reclining on a lounge chair under the shade, scrutinizing the two envoys sitting opposite him while scanning the gifts they had placed on the table.

The two envoys hurried about, their expressions tense, their black beards covered in dust, and their faces dried, sweat dried, leaving behind streaks of white sweat alkaline. “You two gentlemen have come from afar; please forgive me for not welcoming you from afar. I do not know what honorable cause you have. “Prophet Balaam, we are messengers sent by King Balak of Moab. Here is a letter from King Bale to you. After speaking, the two presented the official letter. The servant beside him passed the letter to Balaam.

Balaam opened the wax-sealed letter and saw it read: “A nation came from Egypt and lived right across from me. They are stronger than I am; I ask you to curse them for me. That way, maybe I can defeat them and drive them out. I know whoever you bless is blessed; Whoever you curse will suffer. ”

Balaam read the letter and pondered for a while. He had long heard rumors about Moses and the Israelites, but he still wanted to hear firsthand information. He looked up at the two envoys and asked, “What conflict does this Egyptian nation from this letter have with Your Majesty?” Why do I want to curse them? ”

The messenger explained, “This people call themselves Israelites and claim that God sent them back to settle in their homeland west of the Jordan River. They appeared like a swarm of locusts suddenly emerging from the desert, borrowing a route to cross the eastern border between Edom and Moab, and now are stationed north of Moab. “If that’s the case, these Israelis are not at war with your country. Why does Your Highness want me to curse them? ”

“You truly deserve to be called a prophet, insightful of all affairs under heaven. What you said is not wrong; they truly have no intention of fighting us, and when they passed through our border, they did not inact a single thing. But when they faced Sihon, king of the Amorites to the north of us, and Ash, another king of the Amorite to the north, they trampled the grass like wild oxen, and in one swift move, they destroyed both kingdoms! Now, these Israelis have already occupied the entire territory of both nations. When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? Once the lips are gone, how can the teeth not feel cold? ”

“Ah, I see!” Balan Fuxu exclaimed aloud, but immediately realized his own loss of composure, so he fell silent again. He did not expect that the Israelites would destroy two Amorites. The Amorites are giants here; the bed of the King of Ere was four meters long and nearly two meters wide.

How could such a towering giant possibly be defeated by the Israelites? Were the Israelites taller than Oog? The two messengers saw Balaam’s thoughts and patiently explained, “The two Amorite kings saw these small Israelites in the city and laughed wildly, rushing out of the high walls to the open plains to confront the Israelites, thinking they could wipe out those arrogant fools. But they did not expect that these Israelites were as if aided by the gods. Though they were as small as ants before these giants, they were as fast as grasshoppers, each skilled at throwing stones, never missing a shot, and every shot was deadly. The tall Amorite warriors fell one after another, and morale quickly collapsed. The Israelites pressed their advantage and soon wiped out all the people in the territories of the two kings. They seized territory faster than the transmission of news. You probably haven’t heard these messages yet. ”

“I really haven’t heard any of this yet.” Balan responded nonchalantly, then glanced at the gifts on the table and changed the subject: “I am a commoner, lacking talent and power. Why would your king send you all this way?” The two envoys exchanged glances and replied, “You are the forerunner, your reputation spreading far and wide, known throughout the land.” What you curse will be cursed. Curse these Israelites for us. We bring Your Majesty’s modest gift, please accept it with a smile first. After the matter is accomplished, Your Majesty will surely reward you handsomely. ”

Balan’s gaze no longer shifted. He stroked his beard and smiled, saying, “It’s getting late today. You two have come from afar; please rest for the night at my cottage.” Tomorrow morning I will proclaim to you God’s message. ”