The Torah as previously stated, contains five books arranged in the following order: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Number, and Deuteronomy. The narrative through these five books follows the journey of the Israelites, from the birth of the family lineage from Abraham to the slavery of God’s people in Egypt, continuing to the freedom they obtain and God’s promises: he will never forsake them nor …show more content…
With Israel entering the land of
Moab, King Balak feels threatened and decides the cursing of the Israelites is the best decision. To curse the people of Israel he calls upon Balaam who is told by Balak to curse the Jewish people bu instead is commanded to bless them by Israel’s God. The following paragraphs will critically view the passage in the aspect of the pagan main character, the opening of the donkey mouth and potential discrepancy in the …show more content…
Which in contrary entertains the idea that Balaam is not worried about the outcome of the job he has been given but interested in his payment. This could also be a change of the character of Balaam if one puts the events of Numbers before the events in the text found in Tell Deir’Alla. This passage further proves that God is willing to use other means of saving his people, even a self centered pagan worshiper to save the people of Israel.
The idea strengthened also is when Balaam experiences the power of God for possible the first time in where God states “The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? I have come out as an adversary because your way is perverse before me.” (Num 22:32 HCSB). This goes to prove that the interaction between Balaam and God is not a God fearing one and this experience proves the power that the true God holds. This also could be taken that God does not trust Balaam because of his lack of faith in him and his pagan