Parsha Balak: A Peculiar Brand of a False Prophet

By Richard Sison | 2017

Just like water cannot be polluted by oil, so is the word of G-D cannot be polluted by a corrupt heart.-Bro. Richard Sison, Elder-

Introduction

The name "Balak" means "devastator", "empty", or "wasting". The name apparently derives from the sparsely used Hebrew verb (balak), "waste or lay waste." There are no derivations of this verb besides this name.

In this week's Parsha, we can read that King Balak of Moab sends for the sorcerer Balaam to curse the Hebrew people. However, instead of curses, only blessings come out of his mouth—including prominent prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption. Balaam taught Balak how to trick the Israelites using moabite women to entice the Israelites to sin, resulting in a plague amongst the Jews. Phinehas zealously kills two of the high-ranking offenders and it ends the plague.

There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.

Acts 20:35

The message