Parashat Balak
The story of Balak and Balaam reveals what God truly desires from us – not religious rituals with impure motives, but a sincere and surrendered heart. While Balaam appeared to respect God’s authority, his actions were driven by greed and self-interest. God sometimes permits us to follow our sinful desires while still accomplishing His purposes. The contrast between Abraham’s faithful obedience and Balaam’s manipulative nature teaches us that God wants His will to become embedded in our hearts, naturally flowing from within us.