What a tangled web we weave when we try to deceive God – Part 1

What a tangled web we weave when we're double-hearted.  It happens a lot.  We want one thing.  We know we should want another thing.  It's like those old commercials where there's an angel on someone's shoulder.  And a devil on the other shoulder.  Both tell us what to do.  We'd like to get the angel to tell us that what the devil said is OK. What a tangled web we weave when we try to deceive God - Part 1 is article #1 in the series: Tangled Web. Click button to view titles for entire series And in the commercial - that can happen.  Like with chocolate milk.  Unfortunately, in real life - as in a good versus evil scenario - that's just not going to happen.  Why not?  Because those aren't the real life choices. For instance, most Christians probably know about Balaam and his donkey.  It's a lesson in listening to God.  But how many actually have closely read and understand what's going on in the whole series of passages surrounding that one event with the donkey? OK - hang on - read closely - and let's see what led up to the donkey in the alley episode.  And then see that Balaam really didn't learn anything from it.  I pray that we can learn a lot.

This is Old Testament - Is it still relevant?

I had to ask this question for you.  Balaam and the donkey are so Old Testament.  How can they possibly be relevant today?  And yet, they are.  Yes, the scene will be different - probably not a donkey in an alley.  And no, you're not likely to have princes or other royalty coming to you asking you to get God to curse someone.   However - we all have those times when we want something.  And we want God to bless it.  And when we know He's not going to do it, we try to convince ourselves that we can get what we want anyway.  That God won't notice, or won't care.  We pull out one of those verses we all have for justifying what we're doing.  One like: Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Of course, that's what the verse actually says.  There's a condition attached to it that we ignore.  Please see here for other articles that speak to the condition. So yeah - it's relevant today.  As we go through the events related to Balaam, his donkey and Balak, we'll compare the Old versus New Covenant differences.  We'll see how the tangled web we weave compares and contrasts with the tangled web Balaam tried to weave.  Tried and failed, as will we.  That kind of thing is always relevant.  Maybe more so than we wish?

What a tangled web we weave - Balak and Balaam

So here's the background.  It's during the Exodus.  God has delivered stunning victories for His rag-tag bunch of chosen people as they travel to the Promised Land.  And then ...

Balak Summons Balaam

Nu 22:1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho. Nu 22:2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites. Nu 22:4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.”

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, in his native land.

Here's a bit of info about Balak and Balaam: