Numbers 23-26

by, Carole Austell

Perhaps you are confused as I was. This Balaam figure – What was up with him? He seems to “say” the right thing to King Balak, but his actions are confusing. 

We saw in previous chapters that Balaam actually was presuming upon God’s goodness, and God had to send an angel and speak through a donkey just to get his full attention.  Now Chapters 23-24 seem to show Balaam in a better light – or does it?

Three times the King of Moab, Balak, tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. Each time he is unsuccessful, he simply moves to a different site, hoping to change Balaam’s mind. But with each move, Balaam becomes even more attuned to speaking the word of God, and rather than curse Israel, he blesses Israel instead. This angers Balak, and he “stomps off” and heads home.

All is well, right? We are told in Numbers 24:25 that after dealing with Barak, Balaam heads home. Balaam can go home victorious – right? Wrong. We have to know the rest of the story. That’s where Chapter 25 comes into view. Although it seems to be an abrupt change from Chapters 23-25, it actually tells us more about Balaam’s true heart.

Notice that Israel has taken up company with the Midianites (Moabites?). If you read between the lines a bit, you’ll recognize that this companionship is not merely being neighborly, but has actually moved into relationships between the men of Israel and the women of Midian!  With such growing intimacy has come an embrace of the Midianite’s gods as well.

How could this happen? Apparently Balaam is still greedy for the riches that Barak had to offer.  This desire must have been festering in his thoughts as he went on his way. And in his lust for more, he concocts a way to cause Israel to be cursed.  Although Balaam could not cause God to curse Israel, he devised a plan whereby Israel would bring a curse on themselves.

Really? Where do you see that? This is where a few cross references really help.  Jude 1:11 and 2 Peter 2:15 tells us that Balaam “…loved gain from wrongdoing.”  But even more clearly is the text in Revelation 2:14 which tells us that it was Balaam’s idea which he shared with Balak “…to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” 

It was Balaam’s idea to tempt Israel with beautiful women, causing them to worship other gods – the greatest prohibition of all for God’s people. This soothsayer, this sorcerer – although able to speak the words of God, actually was a wicked man, choosing wealth over God. It was his very idea that caused the death of 24,000 of the children of Israel!

So what does that have to do with me?

*Is there anything I love so much that I would reject the word of God to try and attain it?

*We must be a discerning people when it comes to listening to every “spiritual” man or woman. Not everyone who speaks true words of God is a true believer of God.

*Beware of intimate company with the enemies of God; it is easy to fall into their ways.

*Our influence can have tremendous impact upon others. Be cautious to guard ……..

Deut. 23:3-6