Balaam

November 15, 2007: Psalm 62; Numbers 22


(The following is the notes of the Jewish Study Bible.)

"Inserted into the narrative of Israel's final preparation to enter Canaan is the story of the Moabite King Balak and the prophet Balaam whom he hires to curse Israel into oblivion. This ... is composed of narrative and poetry. It is inserted at this juncture, the beginning of Israel's period of encampment in Moab, because th outcome of Balak's scheme determines if Israel will inherit the promised land. The account is a contest in the divine realm between the God of Israel and those supernatural elements available to Balak. At times amusing, and somewhat mocking of the non-Israelite prophet, the message of this pericope is serious: The intent of the LORD reigns supreme and cannot be superseded. Even the power of a well-known prophet are ultimately controlled by God. In the end nothing in Balaam's four oracles exacts a cruse upon Israel; in fact, his prophecies function in reverse, blessing Israel and cursing her enemies.

"The biblical traditions are not consistent in their assessment of Balaam's intentions. In Deuteronomy (23:4-7) and Joshua (24:9-10) it is God who reverses Balaam's actual intent. Numbers 31:16 blames Balaam for Israel's apostasy at Baal-peor (ch 25), implying that he previously sought to curse them. The writings of the 8th century prophet Micah (6:5) is more compatible with most of the favorable Numbers 22-24 accounts."

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Brooke was sharing with me with regard to God telling Balaam to go and then in the two verses later God is incensed that he goes (vs. 20-22). One the surface this is definitely disconcerting. But as Brooke pointed out, later after Balaam beats his ass for scraping his leg against the wall and for sitting down under him (because he, Balaam, couldn't see the angel that the donkey could see), the Lord says it is He who is opposes him because his errand was "perverse". God knew what was in his heart, even though Balaam really didn't.

A second point regarding God telling him (allowing him?) to do something and then being angry about it is that originally when Balaam sought God about the matter God was very clear he was not to go. It was only when he went back a second time, after higher dignitaries of King Balak came back and this time offered Balaam money (profit for prophet), that he again sought the Lord for something else He might say. This time it's as if God says, "Okay go, since you really want to. And even though you sound good on the surface, know that I'm not going to change my mind, and be sure, you will not say anything I don't want you to say."

How often are we like Balaam? Don't we go back to God and ask for things that we know are not his will? We don't usually actually say it to God, but we hope that somehow he might change his mind, or that it would be okay with him if we do what He has clearly said not to... at least this one time. This story reminds us that God is sovereign and will have his way, despite our personal manipulations or national maneuvering.

"The Lord will reign for ever and ever!" (Exodus 15:18)

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.