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seven sacrifices
Topic Started: Jul 9 2011, 06:49 AM (405 Views)
MarkStaneart
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When Bilaam meets with Balak, Bilaam first offers his disclaimer that he may only speak as instructed by God (verse 38). However, remember that the word for God, Elohim, is actually the plural form of "El" or "Eloha." Previously, when speaking with the princes of Moab, he referred to the specific deity Y-H-V-H. This vagueness is worth noting. Often when we talk about God, the speaker and his audience are often interpreting the subject matter very differently. The God to which Bilaam would be praying, or at least hearing from, was certainly not one of the gods that Balak would be invoking.

Balak would be instructed to erect seven altars for sacrifice. This would be encouraging to him as each altar would be understood to reference the seven cycles of the moon. The moon itself was understood to be the source of wisdom and cunning.

Ironically, the patron God of the Moabites was Chemosh, represented by none other than the golden calf.


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Different sources suggest differing theologies that define this god of the Moabites. Some believe that she was the alternate companion of the sun god Molech, thus making her the moon goddess. Others suggest a wide variety of attributes that interchange between Molech and Chemosh. However, the offering of seven altars is uniquely significant to this passage of Scripture, definitely placing the focus of attention upon the identity of the Moabites and not on the identity of Israel.
Visit Mark Staneart at www.renewourdays.com
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MarkStaneart
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The word "ba-al" is a generic reference to pagan deities and should not be considered a specific deity unless connected with a descriptive suffix such as Ba-al Gad (the god of fortune), or Ba-al Zephone (the god of winter).
Visit Mark Staneart at www.renewourdays.com
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