*Balaam’s story is told in Numbers 22:1-24:25
Who is Balaam?
- 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.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- 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).
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- 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.
Lessons from Balaam’s Life
- 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.
Key Verses
- 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.”