Numbers
chapter 22 begins just after the nation of Israel has defeated the
army of the Amorites in preparation of entering the Promised Land, as
the time of wandering is nearly completed. The nation is camped, “In
the plains of Moab, along the Jordan river, across from Jericho“.
We read that “Balak
(the
king of Moab)
saw what Israel had done to the Amorites and Moab was terrified“.
Balak saw that the nation of Israel was supernaturally blessed by
God. Desperate for a way to defeat them, he sent messengers to a man
named Balaam, who was a prophet and knew the true God of Israel.
“Now
come and put a curse on these people because they are too powerful
for me… For I know that those who you bless are blessed and those
who you curse are cursed“.
We also learn the messengers brought the standard “divination
fee“.
This prophet-for-hire tells the messengers, “Spend
the night here and I will bring you back the answer the Lord gives
me“.
God gives Balaam a clear answer, “Do
not go with them. You must not put a curse on these people because
they are blessed“.
When
King Balak hears the reply he decides to increase the reward, “I
will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a
curse on these people.”
This temptation seems too great for Balaam to resist, and he
inquires of God again. This time God answers, “Go
with them, but do only what I tell you“.
It seems Balaam’s
heart is now focused on the money rather than listening to God,
because he does not hesitate. “Balaam
got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the
princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went“.
Apparently he did not wait to listen to what God wanted him to do.
Balaam is universally criticized for his greed and disobedience, but
how often we half-heartedly follow God’s
direction in pursuit of our own desires.
God
is so angry we read, “The
angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him“.
Fortunately for Balaam, his donkey saw the angel of the Lord with
his sword drawn and turned off the road into a field. “Balaam
beat her to get her back on the road.”
Three times the donkey turns aside to avoid destruction and three
times she is beaten. Finally “The
Lord opened the donkey‘s
mouth and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you to make you
beat me these three times?”
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s
eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his
sword in his hand. God says, “I
have come to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before
Me… If she had not turned away I would certainly have killed you by
now.”
Finally Balaam is ready to hear the perfect will of God. If you are
being frustrated in your walk, perhaps it is time to stop and listen
for the “still
small voice”
of God.