49. Three Climbs to the Mountaintop Curses Enemy Soldiers Would a believer deliberately go against God’s will?

Woe to them! Because they walked the “path of Cain,” chased wealth and profit, and perished in the “betrayal of Korah.” [Jude 1:11]

The early summer morning sun warmly basking on his back, Balaam rode his old donkey, squinting as he gazed at the distant Moab mountains to the west, happily savoring the generous gifts brought by the envoys. This was the second time the king of Moab had sent envoys to seek help.

On the night the first messenger arrived, God forbade Balaam from accompanying him, so Balaam had to tell the messenger the truth the next morning. Unexpectedly, the second group of envoys soon arrived, bringing even more valuable gifts and speaking with increasing humility, promising Balaam an even richer reward after the task was accomplished. Balaam looked at the dazzling gold and silver, hesitating, because without God’s permission, he dared not proceed.

Unexpectedly, last night God said to Balaam, “Since these men have come to invite you, go with them, but you must do as I say.” So early in the morning, he took two servants, rode an old donkey that had been used for many years, and followed the two messengers ahead on horseback, slowly walking along the mountain road to Moab.

The terrain was rising higher and higher. Balaam looked at the familiar mountains, puzzled. Why did the Israelites circle around to the east side of these mountains and then attack the tall Amorites from the foot of the mountains?

How could they so quickly eliminate the two kings east of the Jordan River and seize their land? Back then, these kings and Moab fought for many years, but only occupied a few cities from each other. How should I curse them? Thinking this, Balaam’s donkey suddenly left the flat road and ran into the fields by the roadside.

Balan’s train of thought was interrupted; he raised the whip and whipped the donkey’s butt hard. The donkey reluctantly returned to the main road. Not far ahead was a vineyard, where the owner had built narrow low walls on both sides to protect his vines. As the donkey passed through the narrow road, it suddenly squeezed toward the nearby earthen wall, scraping Balan’s foot hard against the wall. Balan cried out in pain, but the donkey kept leaning and rubbing over again, scraping Balan’s ankles and knees until they bled.

Balain was furious and whipped the donkey fiercely. The donkey let out a few mournful cries and continued on. But when they reached a narrower area ahead, barely wide enough for the donkey to pass, the donkey simply lay down on the ground and stopped moving. Balaam straightened up, furious, kicking the donkey’s back. The donkey cried out in pain but remained motionless. Balan simply raised his cane and struck the donkey’s back hard.

I, a renowned prophet known far and wide, am powerless against an old donkey. If this got out, wouldn’t people laugh their heads off? Balan lost control and struck the donkey’s back, and the donkey suddenly spoke: “What did I do wrong? You hit me three times like this!” ”

Balan was shocked. How could a beast possibly speak? But he immediately realized it was God performing miracles, and angrily said, “Because you have mocked me.” If I had a knife in my hand, I would have killed you long ago! The donkey said to Balaam, “I am the donkey you have ridden since you were little. Have I ever treated you like this?” Baran said, “No.” As he spoke, Balan suddenly saw a tall man standing in the narrow path ahead. He held a sword, looking heroic and full of anger, staring intently at Balan. Balan looked closely again and was shocked—it turned out to be an angel. Balaam trembled with fear, lost his balance, fell to the ground, and begged the angel for mercy.

The angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey three times?” God sent me to block you on purpose, because the path you walk is a wrong path in my eyes. Your donkey had already seen me, so it dodged three times in a row, and this saved your life three times. Otherwise, I would have killed you long ago, but I would have spared the donkey. Balaam’s face turned ashen, cold sweat dripping down his face, and he begged the angel for mercy: “I am guilty. I didn’t know you were blocking my way.”

If you oppose me going, I’ll go back. The angel said, “Go with these men, but you must speak according to my instructions.” ”

Because of God’s warning last night and the angel’s three strikes, Balaam no longer dared to curse the Israelites without permission. In the evening, they encountered Balak, king of Moab, who was waiting at the border. After some polite exchanges, Bale slaughtered cattle and sheep to welcome Balan.

The night passed quietly, and the next morning, Balak brought Balaam to a hilltop where he could look down on the Israelites below. Balaam, following Balaam’s instructions, built seven seated altars on the mountaintop, each dedicated to a bull and a ram. After the sacrifice, Balaam stepped forward to wait for God’s word.

God appeared to Balaam from the top of the hill and told him the following words: “If God does not curse, how can I curse?” If the Lord does not rebuke him, how can I rebuke him? I watch them from the summit, look up at them from the heights, these people living alone in one place, not among the nations. ”

After hearing this, Bale was visibly displeased: “What are you doing?” I invited you to curse my enemies, yet you blessed them! Because of God’s earlier warning, Balaam honestly replied, “What the Lord commands me to say, how could I not speak?” ”

Bala, unwilling to give up, said to Balaan, “Let me take you to the other mountaintop.” There you will see other tribes of theirs, and perhaps God will allow you to curse that part of the Israelites. So he led him up the mountain and built seven altars as before, offering sacrifices to cattle and sheep.

Balaam still waited for God’s word, then relayed to Balak: “God is not a man; He does not lie; God is not an ordinary man; He does not go back on His word.

He keeps His word and keeps His promises. I am commanded to bless; He has blessed me, and I cannot change it. There was no sin among Jacob’s descendants, and no plague among the Israelites. Their God, the LORD, was with them, and they shouted to their king.

No dark magic could harm Jacob, no spell could harm Israel. When the time comes, people will speak of Jacob, talk about Israel, and say, ‘Behold, how great are God’s works!’ After hearing this, Bale grew even more furious, but because of Balaan’s reputation, he had no choice but to take chances and lead Balan to the third mountaintop.

Balaam felt guilty and stood atop the mountain with Balak, not seeking God’s word alone. Instead, together they looked down at the scattered Israelite camps below, silently marveling at the Spirit of God

When it came upon him, he immediately prophesied: “Jacob, how splendid your tent is! O Israel, how beautiful your dwelling is! Like endless valleys and riverside orchards; Like the agarwood planted by the Lord, and cedar by the water. They bathe in abundant rain and sow seeds in moist, fertile soil.

They crouch like lions and lie down like lionesses—who dares provoke them? Blessed are those who wish them well! Woe to those who curse them! ”

After hearing this, Balak could no longer hold back, clapped his hands hard, and flew into a rage at Balaam: “I invited you to curse my enemies, yet you blessed them three times.” You should go home quickly! I said I would give you a great reward, but the Lord won’t let you receive it. Balaam recalled God’s warning before coming and reluctantly explained, “Even if you give me all the gold and silver in the house, I cannot disobey the LORD’s command or act on my own will. I can only say what the LORD tells me.” Barak looked at Balaam’s conflicted and hesitant eyes, holding onto his last glimmer of hope, and asked, “What if you no longer seek God’s word?” Since God blessed only the Israelites through you, I will no longer force you to curse them.

But are you really uninterested in my gold and silver? You are full of knowledge; could you tell me your personal wisdom on how to deal with these Israelites? I will surely reward you handsomely! Balaam listened, pondered for a while, and after a moment, he approached Bala, whispered in his ear, and revealed two ruthless schemes.