Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church
Epiphany 2025
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
I want to begin today’s Reflection by talking about a character who does not appear in any of the lectionary readings for the Feast of the Epiphany. Indeed, he does not appear in any lectionary reading at all. But you may know of him, or at least of his donkey. The seer Balaam encounters the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. According to the Book of Numbers, the Israelites had already defeated two kings: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. Now Balak, king of Moab, sends messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, asking Balaam to come and curse Israel. But in a dream, the Lord tells Balaam, ‘You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.’ (Numbers 22:7-14)
King Balak again sends messengers, ‘more numerous and more distinguished,’ to plead with Balaam, and again Balaam refuses, but then ‘that night God came to Balaam and said to him, “If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them; but do only what I tell you to do.” (Numbers 22:20) Given this, it is profoundly unfair of God to then get angry with Balaam when Balaam goes with the officials of Moab but, fair or not, God’s anger is kindled and an angel of the Lord stands in Balaam’s way. Balaam’s donkey sees the angel and refuses to pass it, so Balaam hits the donkey three times, until ‘the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”’ Balaam’s response is, bizarrely, not to be astounded that his donkey is speaking, but to roar ‘Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!’ The Lord then opens Balaam’s eyes, he sees the angel and bows down. The angel of the Lord tells Balaam, ‘Go with the men; but speak only what I tell you to speak.’ (Numbers 22:22-35) Continue reading →
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