Nu 23: no curse but a plan

      Balaam’s understanding about God progresses through the course of the Numbers account. In 22:13, after God speaks to Balaam, Balaam refers to God as “the LORD,” or hwhy Y@hovah. In 22:18, after his second meeting with God, he now calls him “the LORD my God,” or hwhy Y@hovah Myhla 'elohiym.

       In 22:34, Balaam acknowledges he has sinned.

       34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

       He offers to turn around at this point, but in verse 34, the angel of the LORD tells him to go with the men.

       In chapters 22 and 23, a pattern ensues of Balak bringing Balaam to various sites, their offering of sacrifices, God giving Balaam a word and Balaam blessing and prophesying over Israel.

       In church circles, we quote some of these verses, such as 23:19.

            19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

       In 24, there is a particularly beautiful Messianic prophesy. In the Manasquan High School symphonic choir, we sang part of this verse in an arrangement by Felix Mendelssohn.

       17 a I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel....

       In chapter 24, Balaam continues to understand God a little more.

       24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek [harq qir'ah] for enchantments [vxn nachash], but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

       Balaam usually divined to get his information. In 24, however, he realizes that it pleases God to bless Israel. He looks over Israel and experiences the supernatural in a different way. Instead of seeking after enchantments, the spirit of God comes upon him. He blesses and prophesies once more.

       Balak’s ‘aph is kindled against Balaam. He is so angry that the Bible notes his physical action. He tells Balaam he’d better flee (run for his life?).

       Here’s one place where I need a Hebrew scholar. In response, Balaam says,

       24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

       Throughout the Old Testament, there is the phrase that someone “was gathered unto his people.” It means someone died. Verse 14, however, uses a different verb. At first I thought it meant Balaam was resigned to die at Balak’s hand, so he was going to continue prophesying anyway. But maybe he was simply saying, “Well, before I go, just one last thing.”

       Whether Balaam thought he was about to be killed should make no difference to one’s theology. It does, to me, though. I’m not excusing Balaam’s sin. I am, however, looking for real people with real motivation and real growth.

       We live in a very real world where very real people hate and want to annihilate Israel. If I, a professing Christian, had to stand in front of a furious king, would I continue to bless Israel? Food for thought.

       Balaam then prophesies over the neighboring peoples. Then he goes home.

       That’s it? That’s all?

       Something happens between 24:24 and 24:25. Instead of fleeing [xrb barach], Balak just goes [Kly yalak]. Why, after all the blessing and prophesying against Israel’s enemies, does Balak simply let Balaam go?

       Our answer is in Revelation 2.

       12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

          14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

       Revelation 2:14 tells why Balak let Balaam go. Balaam gave Balak a way to cause the Israelites to curse themselves! He taught him to throw [ballw ballo] a stumblingblock [skandalon skandalon]. (The skandalon initially was a trigger for a trap. It also came to mean something to cause stumbling or falling.)

       Putting this information into the Balaam account:

         25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

       Just when I was hoping Balaam really understood God and his ways, Balaam uses that understanding to set up Israel’s downfall.

       Enter Phineas.