Numbers 21-24
Balaam is an interesting figure. His story occupies three full chapters of today’s reading, and he is referenced multiple times later in the Scriptures. (See Num. 31:8,16; Deut. 23:3-5; Josh. 13:22; 24:9-10; Neh. 13:2; Mic. 6:5; II Pet. 2:15; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14.) Balak, the king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam initially refuses, but then consents to try. After a little chat with his donkey, he proceeds to bless rather than curse Israel three times before Balak finally gives up (apparently).
It is clear that Balaam is not just some random guy. He is well-known in the neighborhood as one who has an extraordinary connection to the spiritual realm, so Balak approaches him as a “prophet for hire”. Though we may well call his craft “divination”, it appears that he nonetheless legitimately hears from God. He heeds what God tells him and, much to Balak’s frustration, pronounces blessings upon Israel. He almost looks like a true hero of the faith, but he is not.
Let’s take a deeper look. When Balak first tries to hire him, Balaam inquires of the LORD whether he should take the job, and God answers with a definite, “No!” That should be the end of it. But when Balak summons him a second time, with even more attractive rewards, he asks God again, looking for a “better” answer. This time God says, “OK,” but it is clear that God has not really reversed Himself. He is angry when Balaam proceeds to go to Balak, and the Angel of the LORD blocks his way, leading to the conversation with the donkey, where it becomes clear that Balaam’s heart is not right, that his way is perverse. (Num. 22:32) The LORD lets Balaam go on, but only under strict constraint to speak only what the LORD tells him.
As he proceeds to pronounce blessings on Israel, Balaam may well be outwardly obedient here, but in reality he is looking for a way around God’s constraints, trying to find a way to get that reward. He knows at the outset that God does not want him to go to Balak. Were he truly a follower of God, he would leave it right there. But he doesn’t.
Today’s reading does not give us Balaam’s full story. Numbers 31:16 tells us that Balaam is responsible for what happens next in Numbers 25, where the people of Israel fall into sin. In the end, Balaam’s corruption gets the better of him and he persists in seeking gain at Israel’s expense. Although he cannot pronounce a curse upon Israel, he nevertheless undermines Israel by getting them to bring judgment upon themselves through their own sin.
The lesson for me here is that God wants my heart, not just outward obedience. He is looking for wholehearted devotion, not just legalistic performance. When I know the Lord’s will, I just need to do it. I should not keep coming back to Him in “prayer” looking for an answer that I find more agreeable than the one I already know to be right. True obedience is obedience of the heart, not just the hands. It means surrender to His will, following Him, seeking what He seeks, loving what He loves, doing what He does. It means loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Maybe I should start.
Thank you, John, for this explanation of Balaam’s conflicting issues of obedience and its application to us. It convicted me of all the ways I try to get my way when I clearly need to discipline myself and stick to what God says!