I notice a commonality between Numbers 22 and Luke 22, aside from the obvious one that each reading is a chapter 22. The pagan prophet Balaam knows and acts on the same thing that Jesus does in Luke. Both act upon an understanding that ultimately whatever God says will happen. We dare not try to avoid or re-engineer what our Lord calls us to do. If the Lord says to bless something, we bless it. If the Lord curses something, it is accursed.
In today's news I heard of the murder of a public figure who has caused harm to countless families. This man was acting within the bounds of human law, though not divine law. Should he have stopped doing harm to families? Certainly. Was it appropriate to murder him? Not at all. Our Lord is able to end the life of anyone he pleases. Our Lord is able to extend the life of anyone he pleases. Maybe the Lord was using this individual to create indignation and outrage? Maybe he was a pivotal person in changing public opinion. Whatever his role, it was his role before the Lord, who is the ultimate judge of all our temporal wrongdoing.
What has the Lord directed for us today? What has he withheld from us? Whether it is proclaiming God's blessings on people, proclaiming God's cursing on people, preparing a place for others to celebrate, protecting others, serving others, celebrating the sacrifice of Christ, let us do it wholeheartedly before our Lord.
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