Jacob Chanikuzhy

“A hen’s curses have never killed an eagle,” says an African proverb. This proverb seems to say that the curses can never harm anyone anyway. However, in the Bible, cursing is a forbidden thing. Several biblical texts indicate that curses and blessings uttered on others are effective. One might immediately remember the story of Isaac’s inability to revoke the blessings he had given to Jacob. Another familiar story in this connection is the story of Balaam in the Book of Numbers (Numbers 22-24). In this story, Balak, the king of Moab brings a gentile diviner named Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Perhaps King Balak believed that once a curse is uttered on the people of Israel, they would become weak and vincible
However, when Balaam sought Yahweh’s will about cursing the people of Israel, Yahweh forbade him to do so. Nevertheless, when Balaam enquired God’s will for a second time God allowed him to go to Balak. On the way, three times his donkey refused to move forward and each time Balaam beat it. Then the donkey talked to Balaam and Balaam knew that it was because the donkey saw an angel blocking its way that it refused to go. Thus, Balaam learned his lesson through a humiliating experience. The first irony in this humbling incident is that three times his donkey saw an angel; but the eminent “seer” could not see the angel! (This may be to show that no one should claim the monopoly of knowing the will of God. One can understand the divine will if one is open even to those whom they consider donkeys!). The second irony is that a reputed seer who got violent at his helpless donkey was brought to senses by the simple questions of a so-called foolish donkey. (Masters might be easily tempted to take violent actions against their subjects. But a peaceful dialogue can sort out differences, make them realistic, and solve problems amicably). There is still another irony in that the life of Balaam who was considered by King Balak as the saviour of his entire nation, was saved by the prudence of a simple donkey! (What Balaam thought was a gesture of disrespect and disobedience from the part of his donkey was actually a lifesaving act! Superiors will save their own life and reputation by discerning the true motives behind what appears to be provocative acts of their subordinates).
The story finally ends with Balaam blessing the people of Israel instead of cursing them. The story is intriguing because Yahweh reveals his will to a pagan diviner. Normally religious people think that their God is operative in their religion alone. For example, although the Christian doctrine holds that the Spirit of Jesus is active in all other religions, many Christians will find it hard to digest the truth that Holy Spirit is active among the Hindu and Muslim brethren. The Biblical truth that Yahweh is active even outside the fold of Israel, and that he even gives special revelation to persons outside Israel necessitates all religions of biblical origin to accept and approach the members of other religions with fraternal charity.
The story of Balaam in the Book of Numbers seems to preserve two different traditions on Balaam (although it is possible to find it as a harmonious story). One tradition presents him as faithful to Yahweh and the other tradition portrays him as insincere and greedy. Whatever be his true nature, he becomes instrumental to God’s blessings on Israel. God’s intervention in and through Balaam teaches a few lessons about interreligious dialogue. In our church we need leaders who believe in God’s presence and divine operations in other religions. We need church leaders who can convince the church members that people of other religious traditions can become for us a source of precious divine blessings. We need leaders like Balaam who can bless peoples of different faiths and cultures. We should also learn from Balaam that it is foolish and useless to turn against the people of God for any material benefits. If we allow our lust for higher status, money and power overpower us, we are sure to become more foolish in our pursuits and perspectives than a donkey.