Numbers 22-25
This is the story of Balaam (including chapter 25, though it is often separated). It is, no doubt, a curious story in several senses. First, though Balaam comes across as mostly 'good' in these chapters, his reputation throughout the rest of the Bible is very negative. Second, it is a puzzle as to our source for this information (since it doesn't involve direct contact with Moses/Israel). Perhaps this explains the inclusion of the Midianites (they were connected to Israel in several ways). If the Holy Spirit didn't reveal this story directly to Moses, a Hebrew-Friendly Midianite source is likely (especially considering Balaam's positive role in these chapters). A later source would, then, be responsible for the change in perspective. A third interesting note from this story is, of course, the talking donkey!
The section begins with the Moabites terrified by the presence of the Israelites in their region. Their King, Balak, summons a mystical guru, Balaam, to put a curse on Israel so they will be weakened before a seemingly inevitable military conflict. Balaam is said to have the gift in so much that blessings and curses emanating from him actually come to pass. It is arguable whether his blessings/curses carried weight OR if he simply had a gift for discerning what or whom God was blessing and cursing. Once the job was offered to Balaam, he was approached by God and told not to curse the Israelites. He informed Balak's messengers of the answer. They returned home with the 'bad' news, but more numerous and distinguished princes were sent in their place offering greater reward if Balaam would curse Israel. Balaam affirms that God has already answered on the matter, but is willing to ask him again. This time, God allows Balaam to go with the men, but upon his departure God becomes very angry with Balaam. Why? Two possibilities emerge.
1) In the KJV, Balaam was told that IF the men come to him, he could go. But in the next verse Balaam gets up in the morning and GOES to them. This may show an eagerness, on Balaam's part, to pursue the reward (or, the 'wages of wickedness). This option depends on the KJV translation "if" instead of the modern translation 'then.'
2) It could be, simply, that there was nothing wrong with Balaam going, but there was something very wrong with Balaam's heart on the matter. God, being able to read the human heart, was angered by the condition of Balaam's heart (most likely, his eagerness to get a worldly reward).
So in both theories, the problem is with Balaam's motivation. This becomes clearer in the summary statements about Balaam in other Biblical passages. In any case, Balaam went with the princes of Moab.
Along the way Balaam's donkey deterred him by going off the path, pressing against a wall, and eventually lying down and refusing to go forward. The donkey kept stopping because it was able to see the Angel of the Lord blocking the way. Balaam, unaware of the the Lord's presence, beat the donkey on each of these 3 occasions. After the 3rd beating, God opened the mouth of the donkey and it questioned Balaam's beatings. Eventually, Balaam's eyes were opened and he confessed his sin. He assured the Lord that IF He were displeased, he would turn back (though it seems clear that God is somewhat displeased!). Nevertheless, God allowed Balaam to continue with the princes, but reminded him that he was to only speak what he was told by God.
Balak was not impressed by the delay, but was eager to put Balaam to work. After some sacrifices, Balaam went to a barren height to seek God's thoughts on the matter, but upon returning to the Moabites he uttered and utterly positive blessing over Israel. Balak was angered again, but hoped he could change Balaam's mind and so he brought him to a second location. This time Balaam met with God 'over there,' but with the same results: His oracle was decisively positive. Infuriated, Balak tried 1more time to get Balaam to curse Israel. Yet once again Balaam (this time not even talking with God) blessed Israel (on this occasion the blessing is said to be the Holy Spirit's leading). Needless to say, Balaam was sent home without reward (albeit not before prophesying more good news for Israel).
All in all, in Numbers 22-24, Balaam seems to be a respectable character. He always seeks the Lord and ultimately does what the Lord commands. But what lies beneath? Why is Balaam's reputation in the rest of the Bible so negative? Unfortunately, we learn that behind the scenes and in the depth of his heart, Balaam was most interested in his own selfish gains.
1. He had wanted all along to curse Israel (Deut. 23:4-5, Nehemiah 13:2)
It is revealed that his heart wanted to curse Israel. It can be argued that he willfully went against his heart when blessing them b/c he did, indeed value obedience. Or it can be argued that he was physically trying to curse them, but God changed the words in his mouth! We can't be sure, though Nehemiah's wording suggests the latter. It is interesting to note that Balaam went to the barren heights to meet with God before the first oracle. Second he went 'over there'. Then he seemingly didn't consult God at all. This may be an indication (along with the mention of the Spirit on the 3rd occasion) that Balaam was trying to free Himself from the Lord's blessing being accomplished through his voice.
2. He loved the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11)
Though it isn't made clear in this section of Numbers, it is later revealed that Balaam was, essentially, all about the wages of wickedness. He was more interested in making a profit than in being a prophet. It seems, once again, that he WANTED to curse Israel, but just couldn't.
3. He gave the Moabites advice on an alternative way to defeat Israel (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:4)
We find out later in Numbers, and also in Revelation, that instead of going directly home (as seems implied in 24:25), Balaam offered an alternative way to defeat Israel. If they couldn't be externally cursed, perhaps they could be internally corrupted. This is the connection b/w chapters 24 and 25. It is Balaam who recommends that the Moabites tempt Israel with idolatry and adultery.
With the perspective of the whole of Scripture, it becomes clear that Balaam was a worldly minded man. He was most interested in personal profit and was willing to stretch the boundaries to obtain it. He was determined to do his own thing, and even when temporarily prevented, continued pursuing his desired end. He is an example of one who, instead of turning his back on temptation, stays in conversation with it until he succumbs to its pull.
The section begins with the Moabites terrified by the presence of the Israelites in their region. Their King, Balak, summons a mystical guru, Balaam, to put a curse on Israel so they will be weakened before a seemingly inevitable military conflict. Balaam is said to have the gift in so much that blessings and curses emanating from him actually come to pass. It is arguable whether his blessings/curses carried weight OR if he simply had a gift for discerning what or whom God was blessing and cursing. Once the job was offered to Balaam, he was approached by God and told not to curse the Israelites. He informed Balak's messengers of the answer. They returned home with the 'bad' news, but more numerous and distinguished princes were sent in their place offering greater reward if Balaam would curse Israel. Balaam affirms that God has already answered on the matter, but is willing to ask him again. This time, God allows Balaam to go with the men, but upon his departure God becomes very angry with Balaam. Why? Two possibilities emerge.
1) In the KJV, Balaam was told that IF the men come to him, he could go. But in the next verse Balaam gets up in the morning and GOES to them. This may show an eagerness, on Balaam's part, to pursue the reward (or, the 'wages of wickedness). This option depends on the KJV translation "if" instead of the modern translation 'then.'
2) It could be, simply, that there was nothing wrong with Balaam going, but there was something very wrong with Balaam's heart on the matter. God, being able to read the human heart, was angered by the condition of Balaam's heart (most likely, his eagerness to get a worldly reward).
So in both theories, the problem is with Balaam's motivation. This becomes clearer in the summary statements about Balaam in other Biblical passages. In any case, Balaam went with the princes of Moab.
Along the way Balaam's donkey deterred him by going off the path, pressing against a wall, and eventually lying down and refusing to go forward. The donkey kept stopping because it was able to see the Angel of the Lord blocking the way. Balaam, unaware of the the Lord's presence, beat the donkey on each of these 3 occasions. After the 3rd beating, God opened the mouth of the donkey and it questioned Balaam's beatings. Eventually, Balaam's eyes were opened and he confessed his sin. He assured the Lord that IF He were displeased, he would turn back (though it seems clear that God is somewhat displeased!). Nevertheless, God allowed Balaam to continue with the princes, but reminded him that he was to only speak what he was told by God.
Balak was not impressed by the delay, but was eager to put Balaam to work. After some sacrifices, Balaam went to a barren height to seek God's thoughts on the matter, but upon returning to the Moabites he uttered and utterly positive blessing over Israel. Balak was angered again, but hoped he could change Balaam's mind and so he brought him to a second location. This time Balaam met with God 'over there,' but with the same results: His oracle was decisively positive. Infuriated, Balak tried 1more time to get Balaam to curse Israel. Yet once again Balaam (this time not even talking with God) blessed Israel (on this occasion the blessing is said to be the Holy Spirit's leading). Needless to say, Balaam was sent home without reward (albeit not before prophesying more good news for Israel).
All in all, in Numbers 22-24, Balaam seems to be a respectable character. He always seeks the Lord and ultimately does what the Lord commands. But what lies beneath? Why is Balaam's reputation in the rest of the Bible so negative? Unfortunately, we learn that behind the scenes and in the depth of his heart, Balaam was most interested in his own selfish gains.
1. He had wanted all along to curse Israel (Deut. 23:4-5, Nehemiah 13:2)
It is revealed that his heart wanted to curse Israel. It can be argued that he willfully went against his heart when blessing them b/c he did, indeed value obedience. Or it can be argued that he was physically trying to curse them, but God changed the words in his mouth! We can't be sure, though Nehemiah's wording suggests the latter. It is interesting to note that Balaam went to the barren heights to meet with God before the first oracle. Second he went 'over there'. Then he seemingly didn't consult God at all. This may be an indication (along with the mention of the Spirit on the 3rd occasion) that Balaam was trying to free Himself from the Lord's blessing being accomplished through his voice.
2. He loved the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11)
Though it isn't made clear in this section of Numbers, it is later revealed that Balaam was, essentially, all about the wages of wickedness. He was more interested in making a profit than in being a prophet. It seems, once again, that he WANTED to curse Israel, but just couldn't.
3. He gave the Moabites advice on an alternative way to defeat Israel (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:4)
We find out later in Numbers, and also in Revelation, that instead of going directly home (as seems implied in 24:25), Balaam offered an alternative way to defeat Israel. If they couldn't be externally cursed, perhaps they could be internally corrupted. This is the connection b/w chapters 24 and 25. It is Balaam who recommends that the Moabites tempt Israel with idolatry and adultery.
With the perspective of the whole of Scripture, it becomes clear that Balaam was a worldly minded man. He was most interested in personal profit and was willing to stretch the boundaries to obtain it. He was determined to do his own thing, and even when temporarily prevented, continued pursuing his desired end. He is an example of one who, instead of turning his back on temptation, stays in conversation with it until he succumbs to its pull.
posted by matthew at 12:10 PM
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