Scripture Reading: Numbers 22-24
Brief
outline of the chapters: The story in Numbers 22 to 24 revolves
around Balak, the king of Moab, who is fearful of the approaching Israelites.
He hires the prophet Balaam to curse them. Despite Balak’s persistence and
offers of reward, Balaam is repeatedly instructed by God to bless the
Israelites instead. On his journey, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel blocking
their path and speaks to Balaam after being struck three times. Eventually,
Balaam meets Balak and delivers a series of blessings over Israel, including
prophecies about their future victories and prosperity, much to Balak’s
frustration.
Lessons
from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
St. Gregory cautions
that as people grow in virtue, Satan intensifies his efforts to subvert them. When
individuals progress in a godly life, the Adversary adapts by employing
strategies akin to those used by military experts. These experts, recognizing
their enemy's superiority in direct combat, often resort to ambush tactics. Similar
to strategic warfare where an ambush is used when direct confrontation is not
feasible, the Evil one uses secretive and deceptive tactics against those who adhere
to the Lord’s commands.
The Adversary
employs magic as a tool against the virtuous. In the biblical story, Balaam is
a diviner hired by the ruler of the Midianites to curse the Israelites. The diviner
derives his power from demonic forces and is employed to the harm the opponents
of his clientele. However, instead of cursing them, Balaam ends up blessing
them, demonstrating that magic is powerless against those who live in virtue
and are fortified by divine help. Harmful curses against virtuous people have
no effect; instead, the curse turns into a blessing.
St. Gregory
criticizes the irrationality of seeking guidance from demonic influences and
notes that Balaam used divination, like bird observation, for insights.
[Attributing sorcerers' powers to demons was common in ancient Christianity.] In
the Gospel narrative, the Legion of demons acknowledged the authority of Jesus.
When He approached, Legion recognized His divine nature which, at the
appropriate time, would ultimately hold accountable those who have committed
sins- “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come
here to torment us before the time?” (St Matthew 8:29)
St. Gregory
points out that a person who lives a virtuous and blameless life cannot be
accused of vices they do not possess. For example, a person without possessions
cannot be accused of covetousness. The goal is to live in such a way that no
one can find fault, as St. Paul suggests - “any opponent will be put to
shame, having nothing evil to say of us” (Titus 2:8).
Hence, when
Balaam was called to deliver the curse, he wonders how he can curse someone whom
God has blessed and whose life remains unaffected by malevolence because they
are guided by their faith in God. [Then Balaam uttered his oracle,
saying,-“Balak has brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the eastern
mountains: ‘Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, denounce Israel!’ How can I
curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom
the Lord has not denounced? (Numbers 23:7-8).]
Questions
for Personal Reflection:
How do I respond when faced with temptations or offers that conflict with my values, similar to Balaam’s situation with Balak? Have there been situations, where under external pressures or influences, my actions did not align with my spiritual beliefs? How can I rectify them?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory
of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E.
Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 122-124. HarperCollins Spiritual Classics
series. (Original translation published by Paulist Press, 1978).
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