<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-indent: 0in; text-align: justify; ">One of the rarities in the Bible is the Almighty who spoke directly to Balaam. Balaam was evil and had his own agenda which shut out the reality of such awesome communication with God. Balaam only cared about himself and was the paradigm of selfishness. Our father, Abraham was able to perceive God because of his humility, even though all those around Abraham were idolators. Conversely, Balaam had what everyone would dream of -- an open communication with God, but in spite of that, he was not able to perceive the reality and truth of what it was that God expected.</p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-indent: 0in; text-align: justify; ">The Talmud (Taanis 20a) says that it is better to be chastised by one who does so with love and concern, such as the prophet Achiyahu, the Shilonite (1 Kings 14:10-16) than to be praised by one who hates, such as Balaam.</p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-indent: 0in; text-align: justify; ">May all the blessings we give a receive be sincere and from the heart.</p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-indent: 0in; text-align: justify; ">rw</p></div></div></body></html>