Torah Commentary Archives

Balak

Numbers 22:2–25:9

Micah 5:6–6:8

John 13–14

Dwelling Alone

Word of the defeat of Sichon, king of Emori must have traveled to Balak quickly, even without TV and the Internet. Balak most likely saw himself next in line for defeat. Immediate action and strategic planning were needed to defeat Israel and avoid catastrophe. Their reputation for having great strength preceded them. We can read in Joshua that the exploits of Israel leaving Egypt were still being talked about. Balak needed to get the upper hand of this situation so he sought a weapon far greater than human strength. As an interesting side note, I wonder what the outcome of this Torah portion would have been if instead of trying to defeat Israel, Balak had sought to bless Israel. We will never know.

Balak's strategy was to utilize Balaam, a priest known for his power to curse people. The curses he had spoken over armies powerfully defeated them. Balaam's destructive words were successful numerous times. Could they bring Balak victory?

We all know well the account of Balaam and his apparent struggle to do good.  How many of us who grew up in Sunday school will ever forget the day they heard the story of the talking donkey? We were instructed in school on the sin of cursing Yah's people. The important lesson of being sensitive to hear Yah's guidance, before He had to use our favorite pet to give us the message was also etched in our hearts.

There is more to the story of Balaam's greediness for us to glean. In Numbers 23:9 Balaam says, "yes, a people that will dwell alone and not think itself one of the nations." This verse is very rich in its meaning to us today.

A number of years ago, then prime minister of Israel, Yitzchak Rabin made an infamous speech in Jerusalem. In that speech he stated that the people of Israel were only interested in being like all other nations. How do we interpret this statement? He was saying that although the State of Israel was founded by a miracle of Elohim Himself and they were called by Elohim to live by His commandments, they just wanted to look like, act like and be like all the other nations of the world. They did not want to be different; they did not desire to dwell alone as a nation clearly devoted to the One who had brought them out of the ashes of the Holocaust. Although Yitzchak Rabin was a citizen of the State of Israel, his words in that speech, before his assassination, proved he had not learned what it was to be part of the Nation of Israel, a nation called to be unique from others, even if it meant living alone.

In my travels I frequently talk with people who still struggle with the issues Balaam brought up many centuries ago. They just cannot accept the fact that HaShem calls us to be a different, special, peculiar people, no matter what the cost. Many in Christian circles would say that the difference is the one that occurs inside of you by accepting the gift of salvation in Messiah, but I submit that it goes deeper. Transformation on the inside will flow to the outside. That is a fact of nature that cannot be denied. If a tree has good water and nourishment flowing within, it will be evident in the fruit produced. However, if what is inside becomes polluted, the tree's fruit will also be polluted.

Yeshua teaches us in the Book of John at least three traits of His followers that make us different from those around us. His first trait teaches obedience to His commandments of Torah. Torah principles and guidelines make us different from other people. For instance, the wearing of fringes with blue threads (tzitzit). This is quite peculiar to those in a small town where no one even knows what they are let alone knows anyone Jewish. Try going into the local Mexican restaurant and asking the server if the refried beans are made with lard, a pork product. That will certainly evoke a strange look! Explain to your new neighbors you aren't interested in eating with them at the Southern Comfort foods restaurant because they rub everything with bacon! How about living in the “Bible Belt” and choosing to mow your yard on Sunday morning while others are heading to church? As different as those things may be, they define us. By being obedient we have the ability to shine Yah's Light of Torah Truth to those around us and be set apart from the crowd.

Secondly, Yeshua teaches us to love one another. Not the kind of false love portrayed on TV and movies, but a love that goes past the physical and sees another through the eyes of Yah Himself. It is a love that causes us to give of our lives, our resources and our very being to help those around us who are also dwelling alone.

Thirdly, Yeshua teaches us to be servants. Not the kind of servant who is doing something for his own gain or with an ulterior motive. True servants seek nothing in return, but give of their lives to others only for the reward which cannot be bought with money or possessions.

Balaam's words should be an encouragement for many of us today. We are to be a people who are not concerned with the latest fashion, trend or fleeting gimmick. We are only concerned about principles of life that never fade away – obedience, love and being a servant to all.