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

Thought for the Week:

Balaam attempted to place a curse on Israel three times. Each time, the LORD turned the curse into a blessing. Instead of cursing Israel, Balaam involuntarily spoke prophetic oracles of blessing over Israel. The oracles of Balaam offer several glimpses of Messiah and point toward His coming.

Commentary:

He has not observed misfortune in Jacob; nor has He seen trouble in Israel; the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. (Numbers 23:21)

King Balak retained Balaam to curse Israel with misfortune and sorrow. In his second attempt to curse Israel, Balaam exclaimed that he saw no misfortune or trouble in store for Israel. Instead they were blessed because “the LORD his God is with him.” Balaam went on to say, “The shout of a king is among them.” (Numbers 23:21)

The word translated as “shout” is the Hebrew teruah (תרועה). It is...