The Utterance of the Man Whose Eyes Are Opened: Numbers 24:1-13

Numbers 24:1-13: "1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3 Then he took up his oracle and said: 'The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened, 4 the utterance of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes wide open: 5 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! 6 Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. 7 He shall pour water from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God brings him out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox; He shall consume the nations, His enemies; He shall break their bones and pierce them with his arrows. 9 "He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?" Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.' 10 Then Balak's anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, 'I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! 11 Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor.' 12 So Balaam said to Balak, 'Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 "If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak?"'"

We learn a little more about Balaam the son of Beor from this pericope. For we learn that in times past that he sought the means of sorcery in order to prophecy, and did not seek the Lord God. But here Balaam has his eyes opened, after he realizes that his blessing of Israel pleased the Lord. Or to say it another way, the Lord was pleased with Balaam because he finally prophesied the way he was meant to prophesy and not seek the ways of the world and tools of the devil. This point is further driven home when we observe that with the first two blessings of Israel by Balaam the son of Beor, he only spoke what the Lord God told him to say. But here, in the third blessing, we are told that "the Spirit of God came upon him."

What this means that is that he not only spoke what the Lord wanted him to speak, but also believed the Word that he spoke. What was that Word? It is a blessing that regards the entire future of Israel. But more than that it is a prophecy about the promised land, and the promised people. Or, to say that in a spiritual sense, it deals with the eternal paradise of Heaven, and the people who will inherit and dwell in that eternal paradise. All those who believe on the Lord God, all those whom He calls His people, will inherit this eternal paradise of Heaven.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

So They Watched Him, and Sent Spies Who Pretended to Be Righteous, That They Might Seize On His Words, in Order to Deliver Him to the Power and the Authority of the Governor: St. Luke 20:1--21:4

St. Luke 20:1--21:4: "1 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him 2 and spoke to Him, saying, 'Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?' 3 But He answered and said to them, 'I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: 4 The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men?' 5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," He will say, "Why then did you not believe him?" 6 But if we say, "From men," all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.' 7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from. 8 And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' 9 Then He began to tell the people this parable: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, "What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him." 14 But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours." 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.' And when they heard it they said, 'Certainly not!' 17 Then He looked at them and said, 'What then is this that is written: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone?" 18 Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.' 19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people--for they knew He had spoken this parable against them. 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. 21 Then they asked Him, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' 23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 'Why do you test Me? 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?' They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' 25 And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' 26 But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent. 27 Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 28 saying: 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.' 34 And Jesus answered and said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.' 39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, 'Teacher, You have spoken well.' 40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore. 41 And He said to them, 'How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, 43 till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" 44 Therefore David calls Him "Lord;" how is He then his Son?' 45 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 46 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.'

21:1 "And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.'"

Today our Lord Jesus tells us the parable of the wicked tenants of the Vineyard. In this parable the wicked tenants state that they will kill the Son of the Vineyard Owner, saying, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours." One wonders, "What possesses them to think such a thing?" How will killing the son give them the inheritance, for it certainly will not put them in a good light with the Vineyard Owner. But our Lord speaks this, as the Evangelist St. Luke relates, because He is openly condemning the Pharisees and unbelieving Jews who would deliver Him up to Pontius Pilate to be mocked, beaten and crucified.

Our Lord is also telling all nations through this parable, that the chosen race, because of their rejection of the Messiah, will be rejected, and the salvation that our Lord Jesus wins for us by His cross will be given to all nations. "He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others." Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, and from the time of the Apostles until now, the Word of salvation through our Lord's suffering and death for us has been preached to all the world. Those who have received this message are now members of the Vineyard, and receive the blessings of the Vineyard Owner, our Heavenly Father.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Then the LORD Put a Word in Balaam's Mouth: Numbers 23:1-40

Numbers 23:1-40: "1 Then Balaam said to Balak, 'Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.' 2 And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, 'Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.' So he went to a desolate height. 4 And God met Balaam, and he said to Him, 'I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.' 5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, 'Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.' 6 So he returned to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab. 7 And he took up his oracle and said: 'Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, from the mountains of the east. "Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!" 8 How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him; There! A people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!' 11 Then Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully!' 12 So he answered and said, 'Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?' 13 Then Balak said to him, 'Please come with me to another place from which you may see them; you shall see only the outer part of them, and shall not see them all; curse them for me from there.' 14 So he brought him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 And he said to Balak, 'Stand here by your burnt offering while I meet the Lord over there.' 16 Then the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, 'Go back to Balak, and thus you shall speak.' 17 So he came to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab were with him. And Balak said to him, 'What has the LORD spoken?' 18 Then he took up his oracle and said: 'Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor! 19 God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. 21 He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them. 22 God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox. 23 For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, "Oh, what God has done!" 24 Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion; It shall not lie down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.' 25 Then Balak said to Balaam, 'Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all!' 26 So Balaam answered and said to Balak, 'Did I not tell you, saying, "All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?"' 27 Then Balak said to Balaam, 'Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.' 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks the wasteland. 29 Then Balaam said to Balak, 'Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.' 30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar."

The persistence of Balak to curse the Israelites, it must be remembered, is on account of the fear of the Moabites toward the Israelites, seeing what they did to the mighty kings of the Amorites. And the Moabites feared them also, because they thought they were next. It must also be remembered that the Lord God has forbidden the Israelites to harm the Moabites (not that they knew this). So this gives us the motivation of Balak son of Zippor to curse the Israelites. For in cursing them, he had hoped that he could either attack them himself, before they attacked him, or if they attacked first, that he might overcome them. But all this is really fruitless, since God has not given the Moabites over to destruction, at this time.

Three times does Balak beseech Balaam to curse Israel, taking him to a different region to look upon the Israelites each time. This is the same number of times that Balaam is prevented by his donkey to go further on his journey to Balak. And each time Balak builds seven altars and sacrifices a bull and a ram on each one, each time. Make note that these burnt sacrifices are offered to the Lord God. That is, Balak is in reality requesting the Lord God, Jehovah, to curse His own people. This shows us the futility of those who desire the demise of the people of God, and the futility of those who pray for evil in general. The prayer may be made to the Lord God, but the pray is flatly rejected. One, because the prayer is not prayed in faith, and God does not answer the prayers of the faithless. Two, they are not answered because God does not grant the evil petitions of those who seek to beset the righteous.

Even though Balak desired the cursing of the sons of Jacob, Balaam could only speak the words that the Lord God gave to him. And Balaam could only bless the people of Israel. Such it is with all those who preach the word of God, they can only proclaim that which the Lord God has given them to preach. They cannot preach false doctrine. They cannot say that which is a sin, is not a sin, or vice versa. They cannot worship in a manner that the Lord God has not given them to worship. They cannot practice and administer the Sacraments in a way that God has not given them to do. Or to teach that such practices and worship are okay in God's sight. They can only preach what the Lord God has put into their mouths to preach.

This is, of course, how one determines a true preacher from a false preacher, for a false preacher does not speak what God speaks in His holy Scripture. This is tested by the teaching of the historic Church on holy Scripture, that is, if the Church has taught something to be true throughout her history, than those who teach differently should be avoided. The Book of Concord, is a correct and true exhibition of holy Scripture, and teaches the historic teachings of the Church, correcting the false teachings that raised their ugly heads throughout the middle ages. These teachings are also always checked against the whole of holy Scripture, for Scripture interprets Scripture, that is, when the teachings of all of holy Scripture are understood, it fills in the blanks and questions that particular verses may raise. The Early Fathers recognized this and passed on to us, their posterity, the teachings of holy Scripture that were passed onto them from the Apostles, which were given to them by our Lord Jesus.

Thus, through the voice of many witnesses both past and present, our Lord God preserves His Church, not permitting those who would seek her destruction to be allowed to harm her. He does this through the mouth of His preachers, who proclaim the words of His which He placed into their mouth, which bless His Holy Church, and curse His enemies.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Then Jesus Entered and Passed Through Jericho: St. Luke 19:1-40

St. Luke 19:1-40: "1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, 'He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.' 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.' 9 And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.' 11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12 Therefore He said: 'A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, "Do business till I come." 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." 15 And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, "Master, your mina has earned ten minas." 17 And he said to him, "Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities." 18 And the second came, saying, "Master, your mina has earned five minas." 19 Likewise he said to him, "You also be over five cities." 20 Then another came, saying, "Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow." 22 And he said to him, "Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?" 24 And he said to those who stood by, "Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas." 25 (But they said to him, "Master, he has ten minas.") 26 "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me."' 28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, 'Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, "Why are you loosing it?" thus you shall say to him, "Because the Lord has need of it."' 32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, 'Why are you loosing the colt?' 34 And they said, 'The Lord has need of him.' 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. 37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying: '"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!" Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' 39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.' 40 But He answered and said to them, 'I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.'"

Our Lord Jesus passes through Jericho, like the Israelites of old, who passed through Jericho after they had crossed the River Jordan into the promised land of Canaan. Our Lord passes through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, so that He might win for us an eternal promised land in Heaven. And while traveling through Jericho, He meets a man named Zacchaeus, who was a tax collector. And not just any tax collector, but we are told that he is a "chief" tax collector, that is, a ruler over tax collectors. Now, it is no secret that tax collectors were considered sinners, for they would often cheat those whom they would collect from, in order that they could skim off of what has been collected in order that they might keep it for themselves.

Zacchaeus, being a ruler of the tax collector, became very rich. We can assume from this statement from the Evangelist St. Luke that that means he was good at his job and that he was very corrupt. This is what makes this narrative of redemption truly remarkable, for Zacchaeus is not simply a sinner, but a chief of sinners. But it is to the chief of sinners, to whom our Lord Jesus comes. And having spotted Zacchaeus, He calls him down out of the sycamore tree, and invites Himself into the home of Zacchaeus.

We see in this the pattern of conversion, for our Lord does the calling, He does the inviting, He is the one who comes into Zacchaeus' home. And having received Him, Zacchaeus is converted, so that his heart desires to amend himself of his past sins, by giving to those in need, and restoring up to four times what he took from those he cheated. It should be pointed out that half of his possessions were given to the poor, and out the other half the repayment of fourfold was was made to those to whom he had cheated, that is, he sold all that he had and gave it to the poor and followed our Lord Jesus. For we are told by Eusebius, that this man Zacchaeus later became a Bishop of the Church. But even more wonderful than that is the proclamation of our Lord upon the changed heart of Zacchaeus, "Today, salvation has come to this house."

Therefore, so should we confess our sins, and amend our sinful ways, and follow our Lord Jesus. And having confessed our sins, to our Minister, as to God Himself, we receive the words of absolution, that is, forgiveness from the man of God, who sits in the place of our Lord Jesus, pronouncing to our repentant ears, "today, salvation has come to you, for our Lord Jesus, has come to seek and save the lost, like you, and give you forgiveness, life and salvation."

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

The Word That God Puts In My Mouth, That I Must Speak: Numbers 22:2-41

Numbers 22:2-41: "2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, 'Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.' And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: 'Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.' 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner's fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 And he said to them, 'Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.' So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and said, 'Who are these men with you?' 10 So Balaam said to God, 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 "Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out."' 12 And God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.' 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, 'Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you.' 14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, 'Balaam refuses to come with us.' 15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, 'Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: "Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me."' 18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.' 20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 'If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you--that you shall do.' 21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?' 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, 'Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!' 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, 'Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?' And he said, 'No.' 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, 'Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.' 34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, 'I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.' 35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, 'Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.' So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, 'Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?' 38 And Balaam said to Balak, 'Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.' 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. 40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him. 41 So it was the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people."

With this reading we are introduced to Balaam the son of Beor. Much speculation has been put forth about Balaam. Who was he? Was he a true prophet, or a false prophet? These questions are debated both among the Early Fathers, and among modern commentators. But the answer to what kind of prophet he is, can be seen from Holy Scripture.

Balaam the son of Beor (which in the King James Version is written as Bosor, which means "flesh," hence Balaam is the son of flesh, or sinful mankind, and) is mentioned several times outside of the Book of Moses, commonly called Numbers. Most enlightening is what two of the Apostles say about him, and even our dear Lord Jesus in the Book of the Revelation. St. Peter in his second epistle refers to Balaam (2 Peter 2:15) as a false prophet, because he performed the office of prophet for money, even taking money to give a prophecy that wasn't true, just to appease the one paying. We have such a case in this reading. For Balak, sends emissaries carrying "the diviners' fee" to get Balaam to curse the Israelites. More on this later.

Another Apostle, Thaddeus, or according to his surname attached to his epistle, Jude, states, the same thing (Jude 11) as St. Peter, that Balaam's error was that he was a false teacher who prophesied for profit. Our Lord Jesus also, in the Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John (Revelation 2:14), tells St. John to write to the Angel of the Church of Pergamos that there are some among them who hold "the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel." The doctrine of Balaam, is the doctrine which leads men astray. In the case of the Church at Pergamos, those who held the doctrine of Balaam, were those who taught it was okay to eat food offered to idols, and practice sexual immorality. Therefore these false teachers were putting a stumbling block in front of the faithful in Pergamos.

It is important to understand these things about Balaam, for he is mentioned quite a bit in the next chapters of the Book of Moses, commonly called Numbers. However, Balaam has one thing to his credit, and that is that when the emissaries from Balak arrive, and after consulting with the "LORD" (and this is to be understood as the Lord God, Jehovah) he sends the men away, because the LORD would not let him curse Israel.

However, after another larger group of emissaries comes with more money, and after consulting with the Lord God once again, he is told by the Lord God to only go with them only if they call him, and he was only to speak what the Lord God gave him to speak. Here we are told that Balaam got up in the morning saddled his donkey and went with the men. Since the Lord's anger is aroused against Balaam, we can assume that the men did not call him, and that he went of his own free will, against the will of God.

Therefore, we have this interesting narrative of Balaam's donkey speaking to Balaam. This is the second time that an animal, without reason or sense, speaks in holy Scripture (the first being the serpent in the Garden of Eden). We see in this pericope how those who have set their mind to committing sin run headlong into the danger and their destruction, not heeding the warnings. Hence, the donkey of Balaam, who sees the admonition of the Lord put forth by the Angel of the Lord standing in Balaam's path and wielding a sword, tries to deliver her master from the destruction. She does this three times. Each time that the donkey tries to lead Balaam from his path of sin and destruction, she is rebuked for it.

How clearly we can see in this the response of those who are set in their way to sin. For they rage all the more, and desire all the more to do that which is evil in our Lord's eyes, not heeding the warnings. How often have we pushed forward through adversity and warnings to commit sin? How often have we ignored our Lord's Word and done that what we know we ought not to do, simply because of our own sinful will. Such is the case of Balaam. And blinded by his will to curse the Israelites, and gain favor with Balak, he runs headlong into danger. But the donkey, a simple beast of burden, tries to prevent him from this sin and destruction.

And even when the donkey speaks, Balaam's heart is not changed. Nor is he astounded that his donkey is speaking. He instead wishes for a sword in his hand to kill the donkey for its insolence. Therefore, our Lord has the donkey reason with Balaam, showing him from his past experiences with the donkey that something extraordinary is happening, so that even Balaam has to admit that the donkey has never acted like this before. Here Balaam is shown by the Lord the Angel with the sword standing before him blocking his way.

Here we see the response of those who realize their sin portrayed in the response of Balaam, who fell flat on his face, and admits, "I have sinned." Balaam even suggests that if the journey that he is on displeases the Lord, he will turn back again. Here we also learn that it is not the journey that upsets the Lord, but the heart of Balaam, who is only doing this for money and honor. The admonition of the Lord to only speak that which He gives Balaam to speak, also indicates that Balaam may have had a heart set on cursing the Israelites, something he was already told that he was unable to do. But if he could this would bring him into a place of honor and high standing with Balak and among the Moabites. Therefore, the Lord God repeats again the admonition to Balaam to speak only that which He gives him to speak.

From the Book of Joshua, we learn that Balaam, who was living in the region where Abraham had lived, and Laban, Jacob's uncle, lived, now was living in Canaan, and we are told that the Israelites killed him in their battles to take over the promised land of Canaan. Therefore, we see in Balaam, the life and end of those who are false prophets and teachers, who only seek their own will, and live for earthly possessions and honor; Those who curse the children of God, and try to set stumbling blocks in front of them. Therefore, we must heed this warning, and be wary of those who would preach false doctrine, and have nothing to do with them. But we should rather listen to the simple preachers, who only wish to lead us from the path of destruction, and free us from our error.

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

You Still Lack One Thing: St. Luke 18:15-30

St. Luke 18:15-30: "15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.' 18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' 19 So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Honor your father and your mother."' 21 And he said, 'All these things I have kept from my youth.' 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' 26 And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?' 27 But He said, 'The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.' 28 Then Peter said, 'See, we have left all and followed You.' 29 So He said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

The rich man went away sorrowful, because he had much wealth. This man approached the Lord Jesus in what seemed to be a good way, for he addresses our Lord Jesus as "Good Teacher." But our Lord's rebuke of this address to Him, should perk up our ears, for even when the devils proclaim Him to be the Son of God He does not rebuke them for their what they said. (Even though He may say to them to be quiet, and not let this fact be known). Therefore, this should be of interest to us.

We are shown the answer to our Lord's rebuke in the question and answer of this man. For his question is what "he must do" in order to inherit eternal life. Our Lord lists for him the Commandments of the Second Table of the Law, the ones having to do with our neighbor.

This rich man, tells our Lord that he has kept all these since his youth; To which our Lord responds that he still lacks one thing. Now, this rich man in posing the question in the first place, already knows there is something missing. Why else would he ask the question about what he must do? This man already senses that he is lacking something.

But we see our Lord's grace in his response to this rich man, for the our Lord purposely relates the Commandments dealing with our neighbor, because this man's heart is not right toward his neighbor, even though he thinks it is. Therefore, our Lord tells this man to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, in order to show this man that he is not keeping the Second table of the Law, regarding his neighbor. Our Lord further adds that this man should then "follow" Him.

This is why the man goes away deeply saddened, for he realizes his lost condition. He realizes that he has not kept the law as perfectly as he thought he had. He also learned that he did not have the faith of a little child, like our Lord spoke about in the beginning of this pericope. The faith that trusts our Lord completely without questions, and not having learned cruel malice, does not openly seek the harm of one's neighbor, but openly and freely loves without prompting.

The thoughts of the rich man are expressed through the responses of the disciples and the crowd, "Who then can be saved?" Everyone, who has been listening, has heard the Law, preached clearly and succinctly, and had it applied to their very hearts by our Lord Jesus. They are now ready to hear the Gospel, that inheriting eternal life, that is, receiving forgiveness of sins salvation, is impossible through any work of man, but with our Lord God it is possible.

For only our Lord God, in the person of our Lord Jesus, could fulfill the Law perfectly for us, filling in that which we lacked. And only He could offer up Himself as the perfect, unblemished and holy Lamb as a sacrifice on our behalf. Only He could die for our sins, and the sins of the whole world, and buy us back from sin, death, and the devil.

It is to this faith, that our Lord Jesus died for us, that we are to cling to and believe in like little children. Therefore, let us come before Him as little children. For of such as these, belongs the Kingdom of God.

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Deacon's Didache on Hiatus

Starting Monday, March 1st, 2010 The Deacon's Didache will be on hiatus until Monday, March 8th 2010. At that time all the readings for the week of Reminscere will be posted, and The Deacon's Didache will resume with the reading for Oculi.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Look to Me, and Be Saved, All You Ends of the Earth!: Isaiah 45:20-25

Isaiah 45:20-25: "1 Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, who carry the wood of their carved image, and pray to a god that cannot save. 21 Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. 22 Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24 He shall say, 'Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. 25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory.'"

This text reflects the Gospel of the day for Reminiscere, where the Canaanite woman begs our Lord Jesus to heal her severely demon-possessed daughter. For the Prophet Isaiah reports the Lord's Words about His salvation. And His salvation is for the "ends of the Earth." That means that the promised salvation of long ago for the Israelites, will also be for the whole world. This Canaanite woman, although a Gentile, still receives the salvation that was reserved for the Israelites.

Through her pleading, our Lord shows us her great faith. He puts her through the various stages in order that He might show all those around, and us who are hear the narrative through Holy Scripture, that woman indeed has great faith. For she ignores all the obvious signs that would put up a roadblock to faith, and the more our Lord pushes her away, the more she clings to Him. "O Woman, great is your faith!"

She has forsaken her false idols, and come to the One True God, Who is a just God and Savior. This is what the Prophet Isaiah relates to us from the lips of our Lord God. Only He is God, only He is worthy of worship, only He is the Savior of all mankind. Therefore it is to Him whom we should look and find our comfort. And we shall say, "Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory."

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas