Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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Balak and Balaam

  are Balak and Balaam, the gentile king and the gentile prophet, thrust onto the stage of Jewish history? What do they illuminate, these men of strange motives? Do they not seem obtuse? The G-d of Israel has just redeemed his slave people from the irons of Egypt; He has aided their battle against the Amorite. Will G-d now let His chosen ones fall to the  Moabite king, Balak, and his accessory Balaam? Balak’s method of battle — a curse by Balaam? Again, obtuse. And how will Balak coerce Balaam to curse his enemy, these Israelites that “cover the surface of the earth?” What difference will it make if Balak does persuade Balaam to curse them? Can words vanquish swords? Do curses determine battles? As […]
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IJN Executive Editor | [email protected]