Thought for the Week:

The story of Balaam is evidence that not everyone who calls on the name of the LORD is necessarily a good guy. It is possible to know about God, and even suppose that "God is on my side," while being quite godless. Our history is marred with endless examples of zealous religious leaders who believed they were doing God a favor by persecuting Israel. Balaam is their forerunner. He spoke 'God talk,' but his heart was full of malice and greed.

Commentary:

Numbers 22-24: While the Numbers text itself is inconclusive, both rabbinic legend and the Apostolic Scriptures clearly paint Balaam as wicked through and through. Though he may seem to be godly and well-meaning--only speaking what the LORD puts into his mouth--let us 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.

In the days of the Apostles, Shimon Peter compared Balaam to those who "loved the wag…