2 July 2010
Psalm 140, 142; Num. 24:1-13; Rom. 8:12-17; Matt. 22:15-22

The first two times Balaam was asked to prophesy he went back to his own way of doing things, offering sacrifices and “reading” the organs of the animals sacrificed in order to discern the truth or the future. This third time he abandons his ways and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. His word is interesting because he confesses that now he sees clearly and who hears the words of God, his prophecy is not based on his own skill. Balak’s anger is now complete and he sends the prophet away without the prophet’s reward because he failed to do as commanded or asked. Balaam has recognized, at least for the time being, a greater king and a greater reward, he has met with God and lived.

The partnership of Pharisees and Herodians is an interesting one and shows how desperate they are to discredit Jesus. The Herodians would have been “sell-outs” in the minds of the Pharisees. They were those who had accommodated themselves to Roman rule and who had become Roman in many ways. The question of taxes to the emperor would have been one on which they would have had some disagreement with one another. This was a legitimate question within Judaism at this time but it was designed here to align Jesus with one or the other and divide His support. His answer is ingenious to say that what is Caesar’s should be rendered to Caesar. That the coin has the likeness or image of Caesar on it is the basis for the answer but the second part of the answer points to the people, who are created in God’s image or likeness and their lives are owed to the one whose image they bear. Do we see it this plainly?

Are we led by the Spirit or the flesh? Balaam tried twice to be led by the flesh, some way other than the Spirit of God, and finally gave in and no longer bothered with the old ways. The Pharisees and the Herodians are thinking in fleshly terms about things like taxes and Jesus, as He did with Nicodemus, is thinking in terms of spiritual things. How much of what consumes our time is fleshly? We have lives and jobs that require us to live and work so that we can’t be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good but I don’t often meet people who are in danger of that in their lives, including me. Clock your time outside the office and see where you invest your thoughts and heart some time for one week. Pay attention to your web surfing, television habits and conversation and see how little we live in the Spirit versus the flesh.

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.