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SERIES F --- WILDERNESS WANDERINGS --- LESSON 02

SEVEN OFFERINGS

BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF CURSES

From Numbers 23

The prophet Balaam had come to visit King Balak of Moab. Together they had gone to a high place to look out over the camp of the Israelites. Build seven altars for me here, Balaam instructed Balak. Then prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for the sacrifice. King Balak did exactly as Balaam ordered. Then Balaam offered one young bull and one ram on each altar. Stand here beside your burnt offering while I am away, Balaam told the king. Perhaps Adonai will meet me and I will tell you what He says. Balak remained by the altar while Balaam went up to a barren high place where YHVH met him. I have made seven altars for You and have sacrificed a young bull and a ram on each, Balaam told Adonai. Then Adonai gave Balaam a message and told him to return to Balak with it. When Balaam returned to King Balak, the king was still standing beside his burnt offering, with all of the leaders of Moab standing there with him. Balaam gave them this message from Adonai:

From the land of Aram,
From the eastern mountains,
King Balak, the king of Moab,
Has brought me.
‘Come, curse Jacob for me.
Come and condemn Israel.’
How can I curse
Whom YHVH has not cursed?
How can I condemn
Whom YHVH has not condemned?
From the mountaintops I see them,
And from the hills I behold them.
The people live alone,
For they mingle not with other nations.
Who can count the people of Israel,
Or even a fourth of Jacob’s children?
Let me die like the righteous,
Let my end be like an Israelite’s.

I brought you here to curse my enemies, King Balak exclaimed angrily. Now you have blessed them! What have you done to me? I can only say what Adonai tells me, replied Balaam. Let us go to another place, the king suggested. Perhaps when you see another part of the Israelites, you will be able to curse them. King Balak took Balaam to the fields of Zophim at the top of Mount Pisgah. There he built seven more altars and offered a young bull and a ram on each of them. Stand here beside your burnt offering while I go to meet Adonai over there, Balaam told the king. Adonai again spoke with Balaam and told him what to tell the king. Then Balaam returned to King Balak, who stood beside his burnt offering with the leaders of Moab. What has Adonai told you? the king asked. Then Balaam said to the king:

Stand to your feet, O Balak;
Listen to me, O son of Zippor.
YHVH is not a man
That He should lie.
He is not a son of man
That He should change His mind.
Whatever He has promised
He will fulfil.
I have been told to bless them,
For YHVH has blessed them,
And I cannot change it.
He has found no sin in Jacob,
No trouble in Israel.
Adonai YHVH is with them;
They shout praises to their King,
Who is among them.
YHVH has led them from Egypt;
Their strength is like that of a wild ox.
There is no curse for Jacob,
No magic to be placed against him.
Now it can be said of Israel,
‘What wonders YHVH has wrought!’
The people rise up as a lioness;
They shall not lie down
Until they devour their prey
And drink the blood of those whom they slay.

If you cannot curse them, at least don’t bless them! Exclaimed King Balak. I told you that I must say whatever Adonai tells me, Balaam reminded him. Come, I will take you to still another place, said the king. Perhaps YHVH will let you curse them there. Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, overlooking the desert. Again, Balaam instructed the king to build seven altars and to prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for the sacrifice. Balak did exactly as Balaam said and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.

COMMENTARY

LIFE THEY LEFT BEHIND: ANIMALS OF ANCIENT EGYPT

Ancient Egyptian farmers raised cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The cattle were considered so important that the rulers of Egypt took a census of their number each year. These animals provided meat, milk, hides and were used as temple sacrifices. When seed was spread, they helped trample it into the ground. The heavy work on the farm was done by the cattle. Other animals were used for food as well and donkeys and camels pulled carts or were used to carry heavy loads. Fowl farmers fattened ducks, geese and pigeons for food. The chicken was brought to Egypt from another country, but eventually it was kept for its eggs and meat like other fowl. The Egyptians were ambitious and curious; they tried to domesticate hyenas and gazelles as a special delicacy for the tables of the rich. Hunters added variety to Egyptian menus. They captured birds, made a sport of fishing and even hunted hippopotami. Several different animals were domesticated. Monkeys were popular family pets. They were often trained to climb trees and pick figs and other fruit, but they were probably more entertaining than they were useful. Dogs were pampered just the way modern canines are; they wore leashes and collars and were given affectionate names. Cats were kept as house pets to help get rid of mice, rats and snakes. Cats were believed to be representations of Bastet, the goddess of happiness. When a pet cat died, sometimes the entire family shaved their heads and eyebrows and went into mourning. The ancient Egyptians believed that many of their gods lived inside certain animals. A certain city was made sacred to each kind of animal. When that particular animal died, it was considered desirable to bring the body to that city for burial. Since these creatures were considered sacred, anyone who harmed them, either deliberately or accidentally was punished by being fined or executed. But some areas thought certain animals were sacred while other areas did not and sometimes fierce fighting broke out between them. The Egyptians had hundreds of gods represented by animals. There was even one represented by a beetle.

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Daniel Oratorio