Altars and Balaam

Today we talk little about Balaam.

Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars--Balak, being a heathen, would naturally suppose these altars were erected in honor of Baal, the patron deity of his country. It is evident, from Numbers 23:4 that they were prepared for the worship of the true God; although in choosing the high places of Baal as their site and rearing a number of altars (2 Kings 18:22, Isaiah 17:8, Jeremiah 11:13, Hosea 8:11, 10:1), instead of one only, as God had appointed, Balaam blended his own superstitions with the divine worship. The heathen, both in ancient and modern times, attached a mysterious virtue to the number seven; and Balaam, in ordering the preparation of so many altars, designed to mystify and delude the king.

23:1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."

23:14 So he took 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.

23:29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here."

This is perhaps one of the places where reading the chapter can give you a fullness of what God was doing. God was reaching Balaam. Verse 4 tells us that. Now the field described in verse 14, some translate as a cultivated field, and others show it as the field of sentinels.

One of our desires for this altar is that we worship the one true God. That while we all from time to time operate in error, or mix truth with tradition, God meets us. He is not deterred by our sin or our failings. He is the one who created us and has great love for us. How much? Beyond what we can imagine. and so, we pray for the families who buy our altars. We pray for each altar to be a meeting place for people and God. We pray that this nation's families are restored to truth, mercy and love.

And as you develop devotions and study for you and your family, you will find your elf drawn to praying for others.

To pray and intercede for others such as the pastor, missionaries, sick folk, unsaved loved ones, the neighbors, fellow believers in need, the church, our president, the shut-ins, those who are in trial or going through persecutions. Children who can learn to pray openly at home will have no problem praying publicly in the church weekly prayer meetings as they grow.

And this came in from my friend Morgan. Some of the results we see when God is moving.
STAND UP!

Are you familiar with the slightly dated term “stand up guy”? It used to describe the teacher who was fair with discipline, and enthusiastic about his students and subjects. The coach that made sure his athletes had good grades, good manners and good counsel about nutrition, sleep and personal hygiene. The Dad that came home after working hard and played catch or soccer with his kids, as well as half the neighborhood’s kids until it was time for supper. The pastor who would answer the phone or open the door at 2:00 AM to talk a kid through a crisis. The cop who cared enough to earn respect with his character, not his weapons. The employer who would hire the rough kids, just to give them that chance to succeed. Do you sometimes think that “stand up guys” are an endangered species? The answer is NO!!!

Schools from kindergarten thru post graduate colleges are full of teachers who stand up for excellence. We all know some of these educators. The vast majority of coaches and the athletes they train are deserving of respect and “Role model” status. They support charities, give their time to inspiring young people and love their families. If you look around town, you can see Dads all over playing with their Little Leaguers or cheering at soccer or basketball or mentoring a club or Scout troop. Just name the pastor, and I bet you have a dedicated, devoted listener, trained and willing to love you through hard times. Most police officers will never use their weapon during their entire career, but they will use courage, good judgment, restraint and empathy EVERY day! And if we are really honest, a good many of us would not be where we are if someone hadn’t taken a chance employing us back when we knew it all.

Now I want to go on record as thanking God for the Stand Up Guys (male and female) that shaped my life. A few that stand out are: Teacher Steve Aardal who spent nights and weekends helping me pull my teen life together; Coach Jim Lincoln who gave me physical goals and confidence; My Dad who worked long hours in his own business and still had time and energy to prove, without a doubt, that he loved us unconditionally; Pastor Roger Brooks, a man’s man (Marine Corps) with a loving heart for God, not afraid to cry or hug or stand tough as required; Ernest “Chieffy” Thoin, police chief in Marlborough in the 1970’s, walked into tough situations without his gun, because he cared so much for his fellow townspeople, he would risk personal injury rather than provoke an incident. He kept criminal thoughts from becoming crimes with his calm, caring voice, and set a good many potential “hooligans” (myself included) on a better life course; Restaurateur Hector Dionne, who could be really tough or kind, (sometimes in the same sentence) and taught me that hard work and good service were often their own reward. And builder Ray Schnyer, who hired me out of high school and gave me a love for building homes that I have follow for nearly my whole working life.

So, I want to challenge you to look around. Don’t allow all the Bad News to overshadow the heroes among us. Folks like Graham Gitchell, chemistry teacher at Keene High; Jason Dumaine, youth pastor at Christian Life Fellowship or Mark Sanchez, pastor at Village Church; My brother Keith, Superdad; ANY city, state or town police officer or fireman; Community action programs like Southwestern Community Services,