3 July 2010
Psalm 137, 144; Num. 24:12-25; Rom. 8:18-25; Matt. 22:23-40

Balaam leaves with a parting oracle for the future of the nations, you will be overthrown by the God of these Israelites. Our lectionary will skip it next week but this Balaam was actually hated by the Israelites because of advice he gave to the Moabites to intermarry with the Israelites in the hope that they would follow after the gods of the Moabite women. The incident in question is detailed in the 25th chapter of Numbers and Baalam is associated with it in the 31st chapter which tells that he was killed by the Israelites. How could a man used by God, who met with Him and had these encounters with Him turn away from Him?

The ridiculous questions continue. They are trying to trap Jesus in some way and the Sadducees believe themselves to be more clever than anyone else so their ploy concerns the resurrection in which they don’t believe. Their logical system makes resurrection seem ridiculous but Jesus turns their logic on its head, essentially informing them that He knows what the resurrection looks like and they have no idea so their logic won’t work in the resurrection. They base their knowledge of heavenly things on what they know of earthly things without recognizing that sin is the great variable in our equation that changes everything. Why the Pharisees put a legal expert to this last question about the greatest commandment is a bit uncertain. The rabbis liked to have summary statements and liked to differentiate between laws as to great and small. Jesus’ summary of the law is succinct and perfect. Perhaps He knew the law a bit better than they did.

What we know is the suffering of the present age and here Paul says that he believes this suffering will pale in comparison to the glory of the coming age. We live in a world that is subject to the bondage of sin in all respects. We are only aware of this world, broken and marred by sin, and have no direct knowledge of what it should be or would be without sin. It is by the Spirit leading us to see that better country of which we hear in Hebrews that we long for what might be and what will be. Though we have not seen it we long for it by the Spirit within us. It is the hope of glory to come that impels us onward. Having tasted by the Spirit can we not persevere in our faith?

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
my rock and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge.