Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Madness: What Compelled the False Prophet?

itants (Joshua 2:10-11). The Amalekites had been thoroughly trounced. The giant people under King Og, the gatekeepers of Canaan, had been overcome. The forces of the Amorites, under Sihon their king, had been virtually exterminated. An awesome, fiery cloud hovered over the Hebrews and they received bread from heaven. How the stories circulated! Would the Lord, the deity of the Hebrews, be as strong here as He had been in Egypt? The nations were apprehensive but still willing to put their armies and gods to the test. Military battles commonly waged among these ancient peoples were accompanied by intense divination and witchcraft. They would increase sacrifice to appease their deities. If the Hebrew God was indeed stronger than their gods, could they perhaps appease Him as well? The vast size of the Israelite host necessitated the most careful of spir itual strategies. God told Israel not to provoke their distant relative Moab to war, and this was probably known by Moab. But the huge alien force in such close proximity was just too uncomfortable and dangerous! So Balak, the king of Moab, stepped forward as champion of the Jor dan Valley tribes. He knew of the heroic accomplishments of Israel's God but still considered Yahweh just another-although impressive-god in the pantheon. Being of Midianitish origin, he most likely sought the advice and alliance of Midian in this threatening situation. Probably through the Midianites, nomadic wanderers of the vast desert area that stretched from Mesopotamia to the Jordan, Balak learned of the celebrated magician Bal aam who resided in Pethor, Mesopotamia, on the banks of the Euphrates (Numbers 22:5; 23:7; Deuteronomy 23:4). It seemed like the right move: Bring in this magician, for such a one had power to influence and persuade gods. Balak did not want a prophet to tell him the future; he wanted someone who could influence the future. Considering the alternative, the price would be negligible. Magicians were noted for their abilities to convince strong gods to transfer their powers and allegiances from one nation to another. Moab would not need to give up her lands, gods and heathen practices if only the Hebrew God would transfer His benediction to Moab. So Balak hoped to cut a deal with the Hebrew God. Balaam was not ignorant of Abraham's seed and God. A professional soothsayer like him knew such things (note Joshua 13:22); it was part of his trade. He recognized the national God of Israel, and in all probability rel ished the opportunity of this new adventure, not to mention the wealth and fame that would be his! The fascinating story unfolds in Numbers 21-25. Balaam, Enemy Agent

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