Why this story about Balak and Balaam in all of its detail? Micah 6:5 records God’s reference of the incident to the people of Judah in the days of the security threat from Assyria. He tells them to remember it “in order that (they) might know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
It is difficult to know how to assess Balaam’s character, as we see qualities to admire, we see him cave to the king of Moab, and we see him end up blessing Israel, all without commentary from Scripture. II Peter 2:15 and Jude 11 give us the commentary we seek, and they evaluate his actions as one who has gone astray.
Balaam departed after blessing Israel, but he gave the king of Moab advice about another possible way to defeat “the horde” that was threatening to “lick them up.” You will read tomorrow about the attempt and its outcome, and it is later revealed that Balaam was behind it. I share this to point out that we don’t have all of the information we would like in this account. Having less detail than we desire may be a common frustration of reading Scripture, but don’t be sidetracked by the frustration and so give way to the enemy even one little bit. Rather, glean what you can from what you have been given, because God has given us what we need to know in this account and throughout Scripture. If He can speak to the dense Balaam through a donkey, He should be able to get through to us in what He has provided in His word. If He doesn’t, it isn’t because He is incapable of or unwilling to speak to us, but that we aren’t listening.
Why was God angry with Balaam for going, since He had instructed Balaam to go with the men? God had already commanded Balaam not to go with them; why would Balaam have to ask a second time? He obviously wasn’t fully committed to doing what God wanted. He wanted God to sanction his own plans to add to his prestige and profit. Perhaps God knew that he was going to give in to the temptation to do what the king of Moab wanted him to do, rather than doing what God wanted him to do, and was giving him a warning that would strengthen his interest in doing what God wanted him to do. God’s dealing with Balaam should give us confidence in Him with regard to our own affairs.
This was going on while Israel was camping peacefully on the plain. God used their enemy’s desire to curse them, to bless them, while they had no idea that this was happening. Might God be advocating for you and your protection while you are unaware?
The Spirit of God came upon Balaam as he intended to bless Israel. First God was angry enough to send His angel as Balaam’s adversary, then He came upon Balaam in Spirit form, then Balaam fell away. This is an example we’ve been given as a warning. He accepted God’s gracious reconciliation and sided fully with God, allowing himself to be used fully for God’s purpose in blessing the Israelites. Can you accept God’s forgiveness and seek to be used by Him? Balaam’s example also teaches us not to presume upon God’s grace or count on past victories to keep us from judgment if we sin.
What a powerful testimony, trading the lure of silver and gold for obedience to God’s command and conformance to His heart. But did he mean it? He pronounced the “oracle of Balaam” and not the oracle of God. His opening lines exalt Balaam and not God. Was he faithful to God or himself? He is a confusing guy, much as we are if we are not sanctified of our “double-mindedness,” as James calls it.
The account ends with Balaam returning home, but that wasn’t the end of his involvement in this story.