Why Was God Angry With Balaam?

We learn about this king named Balak. Balak was afraid of Israel for he had seen the victory of them against the Amorites(Numbers 22:2-4). Due to this anxiety, “... he(i.e. Balak) sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me,” (Numbers 22:5 NASB1995).

Yet, why would King Balek send Ballam? Well, he wanted Balaam to curse Israel so he would be able to defeat Israel(Numbers 22:6-7). God begins to speak to Balaam, and Balaam admits his desire to curse the Lord’s people: “Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out,” (Numbers 22:11 NASB1995).

God rebukes Balaam for the people of Israel are his, they are blessed. Balaam listens to Yahweh and says he can not fulfill his task (Numbers 22:12-14). Balak was not happy with this report, so he sent more messengers as to make him (Numbers 22:15-16). Balik offers Balaam many riches if he would fulfill the king’s desire, but Balaam says he cannot accept this (Numbers 22:15-18).

“God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do,” (Numbers 22:20 NASB1995). This last section of the verse is very important. “But only the word which I speak to you shall you do”. God permits him to travel with them, but not to say what God does not desire.

“The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.” Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.” But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak,” (Numbers 22:32-35 NASB1995).

We see something very important here. Firstly, who noticed the angel of the Lord? Not this high and mighty supposed prophet, a donkey. This shows us that Balaam was blind to God, he was not paying attention to what he ought. God allowed Balaam to go, but not do what he did not permit. What seems likely is that Balaam had planned to curse Israel and the angel of the Lord came to warn him of such an act of defiance.

Balaam goes to Balak and tells him to perform a ritual, likely to attempt to get God to curse Israel (Numbers 22:36-41).

The Lord condemns Balaam(Numbers 23:5) for trying to win favor with him, “He took up his discourse and said, “From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab’s king from the mountains of the East, ‘Come curse Jacob for me, And come, denounce Israel!’ “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:7-8 NASB1995).

Instead of following the Lord’s wishes, Balak and Balaam do it again, but this time in a different place: “Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from where you may see them, although you will only see the extreme end of them and will not see all of them; and curse them for me from there,” (Numbers 23:13 NASB1995).

The Lord again condemns Balaam and Balik (Numbers 23:18-24). Then Balik tries to go to a different place to do the ritual (Numbers 23:27-30). God again condemns them (Numbers 24:1-24). Then: “Then Balaam arose and departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went his way,” (Numbers 24:25 NASB1995).

Balaam did not listen to the Lord, for he repeatedly tried to curse Israel, even though the angel of the Lord warned him otherwise. God was not happy with Balaam for he knew his intention was evil.

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