Lead Tidbit
Startling Observation
It's a straightforward observation of something that sits right in the Torah in plain sight, waiting for us to notice, realize the implications, and hopefully do something about it.

Back in B'haalotcha, lots of complaining; G-d's anger and punishment. Sh'lach - major sin of the scouts. Not the first time we "angered" G-d, but a particularly disgraceful and offensive thing we did. And G-d's decree was harsh. In Korach, the people fare no better, probably worse. Terrible rebellion, challenge to G-d's authority and Moshe's. G-d's punishments rain down upon the people. Not only Korach's gang perish, but an additional death toll of 14,700 follows. Chukat - the people complain yet again - and despair. G-d's anger and punishment, once again. High body count. End of Balak - the plague that resulted from the Baal P'or fiasco was 24,000. The people misbehave repeatedly and are punished repeatedly. How many times had G-d threatened (considered?) wiping the people out and starting again.

And yet... what do we see in the major portion of Balak? Bnei Yisrael is between one "problem" and the next, and unknown to us, on a hilltop over- looking the encampment of the People, are two sworn enemies of Israel who are trying their hardest to harm us. G-d does not let it happen. He watches over the situation like a hawk, so to speak, and confounds every move attempted by Balak and Bil'am. Did we deserve this protection, with our track record of being unfaithful and irksome to G-d? Maybe not. But that's the point. Someone was threatening G-d's chosen nation. He remembers His promises, and more, He knows our potential to live up to His choosing us. And He will not let any harm befall us. Make your own analogies and conclusions.