Balaam – BibleAccount.com

Balaam’s story is told in Numbers 22:1-24:25

Balaam was a Gentile prophet hailing from Pethor, a city located near the Euphrates River. He was renowned for his prophetic abilities and was hired by Balak, King of Moab, to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:5).
Although he is often painted as an antagonist due to his initial willingness to curse Israel, he is a multifaceted character. He sought God’s guidance repeatedly and only spoke the words God put in his mouth, demonstrating an awareness of God’s power and sovereignty.

Balaam had a special gift: the ability to communicate directly with God. He possessed a high status among the ancients who regarded the ability to bless and curse as potent (Numbers 22:6).
Despite being offered handsome rewards by King Balak, Balaam refused to utter a curse against the Israelites that was not sanctioned by God, showcasing his integrity (Numbers 22:18).
Balaam’s most notable accomplishment was his beautiful and powerful blessing over Israel, known as Balaam’s Oracles, which not only spoke of Israel’s prosperity but also the coming of a star out of Jacob, a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ (Numbers 24:17).

Despite his ability to hear from God, Balaam seemed swayed by personal gain. He was willing to go with Balak’s officials despite God’s initial disapproval (Numbers 22:12, 22:21).
Balaam’s infamous talking donkey incident (Numbers 22:21-35) exposed his spiritual blindness. He was unable to see the angel of the Lord standing in his path, an ironic twist for a prophet.
Balaam met a tragic end as he was killed in a battle against the Israelites (Numbers 31:8). Jewish tradition suggests that he led the Israelites into sin through advising the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men (Numbers 31:16), demonstrating a failing in his loyalty to God’s people.

Balaam’s life teaches us about the danger of greed. Despite his spiritual gifts, his desire for wealth and honor led him astray.
His story reminds us that God is ultimately in control. Despite King Balak’s insistence, Balaam could only say what God instructed him to say.
The episode with Balaam’s donkey cautions us against spiritual blindness, urging us to remain in tune with God’s presence and direction.

Numbers 22:18 – “But Balaam answered them, ‘Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.'”
Numbers 24:17 – “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.”
Numbers 31:8 – “Along with their other victims, they also killed the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—all five of them. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.”