Balak - בלק : “Balak”
Torah : Numbers 22:2–25:9
Haftarah : Micah 5:6-6:8
Gospel : John 13-14

Thought for the Week:

The Holy One, blessed be He, has consideration for the dignity of mankind and, knowing their weakness, He shut the mouth of beasts. For had they been able to speak, it would have been impossible to put them to the service of man or to stand one’s ground against them. For here was this donkey, the most stupid of all beasts, and there was the wisest of all wise men, yet as soon as she opened her mouth he could not stand his ground against her! (Numbers Rabbah 20:14)

Commentary:

Numbers 22: According to rabbinic legend and the Apostolic Scriptures, Balaam was wicked through and through. Though he may seem at times to be a godly and well meaning person—only speaking what the LORD puts into his mouth—we should not allow his fake piety to deceive us. When he set out, he had every intention of cursing Israel, and he did his best to do so. The blessings he spoke over Israel were inadvertent. The LORD placed them in his mouth against his will.

It seems surprising that he speaks to the LORD and not some pagan deity. Balaam’s relationship with the LORD is difficult...