God — Quovadisworld

BALAAM’S VISION OF ISRAEL’S PROSPERITY

When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as he had done each time before [superstitiously] to seek omens and signs [in the natural world], but he set his face toward the wilderness (desert).

NO ENCHANTMENT AGAINST ISRAEL

Balaam’s Second Oracle. “God has not observed wickedness in Jacob [for he is forgiven], Nor has He seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with Israel, And the shout of their King is among the people.

A BLESSING INSTEAD OF A CURSE

Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but here you have [thoroughly] blessed them instead!” Balaam answered, “Must I not be obedient and careful to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?

BALAM’S DONKEY AND THE ANGEL

When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry and he struck the donkey [a third time] with his staff.
And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”

BALAM SENT FOR TO CURSE ISRAEL

Balaam sent for, to curse Israel. Now please come, curse these people for me, for they are too powerful for me; perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know [your reputation] that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

VICTORY OVER THE AMORITES

Then Israel struck the king of the Amorites with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the boundary of the Ammonites was strong.
Israel took all these cities, and settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its towns.

THE BRAZEN SERPENT; JOURNEYING TO PISGAH

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten will live when he looks at it.”
So Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on the pole, and it happened that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

EDOM REFUSES PASSAGE; AARON DIES

Edom refuses passage; Aaron dies. But the king of Edom said, “You shall not pass through [my territory].” And Edom came out against Israel with many people and a strong hand.
Thus [the king of] Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

THE SINS OF MOSES AND AARON

So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?”Then Moses raised his hand [in anger] and with his rod he struck the rock twice [instead of speaking to the rock as the LORD had commanded]. And the water poured out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank [fresh water].

GIVE GOD THE BEST

Give God the best. Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered the best from it, then the rest shall be credited to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat.