Balak Sends for Balaam; What Do Our Words Say About Us?

Today's Reading:

• Numbers 21:1 - 22:20
  
• Proverbs 11:9 - 11

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Numbers 21:1 - 22:20
The Israelites continued their journey to the promised land.  Along the way they defeated the Canaanites and the Amorites.  Next, the people of Israel were up against the Moabites.

Balak, the king of the Moabites, was afraid when he knew the Israelites were headed for the lands of Moab.  So he sent for a man named Balaam to curse the Israelites.  Balaam would see visions in the night, and so when the king's messengers came to ask his help (with a very large sum of money as payment), Balaam told them to stay overnight so that he could receive a message.

Night came, and Balaam was told by God that the Israelite people were blessed and should not be cursed.  Balaam was not to return with the Moabites.  Upon hearing this message, Balak would not relent.  Instead he gathered an even larger payment and sent to Balaam, begging him to come.

Once again Balaam told the messengers to stay overnight while Balaam received his message.  This time, God told Balaam to go with them -- but only do what God tells him to do.

That is where the reading ends today.  I am anxious to find out what becomes of Balaam.  Will he stay true to God's word, I wonder?  Or will he give into temptation and face the consequences?

Proverbs 11:9 - 11

9   With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

10  The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy with the wicked die.

11  Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

Words, words, words words -- Proverbs reminds us many times over that words destroy.  You should be able to tell the difference between the godly and everyone else by the words they use.  The words of the godly person should not be filled with deceit, lies, bitterness and gossip. 

So I have to wonder, am I distinguishing myself with my words?  Are my words godly?  Are the wise and filled with love?  Or are they full of bitterness, are they used to attack others -- either to their face or behind their backs? 

Words, words, words words ... your words say so much about you.  So -- what are you really about?  Do your words show you to be godly, or do your words show you to be godless?

Choosing Our Words Wisely

Today's Reading:

• Leviticus 14:1 - 57
  
• Proverbs 10:11 - 12

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Leviticus 14:1 - 57
This chapter in Leviticus gives instructions for the ceremonial purification process for people with skin diseases and houses with mildew.  All I can say is that I am thankful for the new covenant in that these ceremonies and quarantines no longer apply to us.

I will say that I love how there is always a designation of a different offering for those who cannot afford what is initially called for.  This goes to show that God the Lord is understanding of our situations and never asks for more than we can give.  For that I am truly thankful. 

Proverbs 10:11 - 12
The first of these proverbs tell us that the words of the godly are like life giving fountains.  The opposite of that is that the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. I should endeavor to take to heart the words of those who are godly.  This also makes me think about the words I say to others.  Are these words filled with love, with good intentions, and with the spirit of the Lord?  Or do I intend to cause pain with the words I speak to another?  Of course I say things that are intended to hurt another -- usually a person who is very close to me.  I will continue to try to control the words that come out of my mouth by asking myself if they are wicked or godly.

The second verse today says that hatred creates quarrels and love makes up for all offenses.  I think part of this verse ties in closely with what I just wrote.  If I am spewing hatred, if I am trying to hurt another, then I am certainly creating and/or fueling a quarrel.  Instead I need to step back and realize that I love this person whom I am quarreling with (after all, I can't recall quarreling with anyone who is not close to me) and using that love to tone down my emotions and control those things which come out of my mouth.