“Why have you let all the women live?” he [Moses] demanded. “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. [Numbers 31.15-16]
So, the "rest of the story" comes out about Balaam in today's reading from the One Year Chronological Bible.
It just makes sense that we understand as much as we can about the whole Bible before making dogmatic remarks about particular passages. No one needs to understand this more than me!
If, before this explanation in today's reading, we made a character call about Balaam, it would probably be that he was a pretty good guy. But, when one considers the underhanded advice he gave Balak encouraging the Midianite women to seduce Israel's men, the story and Balaam's character take on a new level of evil.
While discussing this strategy of Satan, we would also do well to look for contemporary application of this devious plan all around us today! Sex sells, right?
Father, help us, help me, to look at God's character, man's character, and the entire Bible from a broad perspective. I know I have made hasty remarks about the Bible in the past in complete ignorance of the "whole story." As I grow, help me to be less impulsive.
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