Numbers 22:1-6,
“Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the
Jordan at Jericho. (2) And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that
Israel had done to the Amorites.
(3) And Moab was in great dread
of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the
people of Israel. (4) And Moab said to the elders of Midian,
"This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the
grass of the field." So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at
that time, (5) sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at
Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him,
saying, "Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of
the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.
(6) Come now, curse this people
for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat
them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is
blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."”
Balaam is a rather odd character, there are
times when we think he is acting in a godly manner, as one who believes in God,
and then times when he is acting foolishly and sinfully. However, we should not
allow the oddness of Balaam and his talking donkey to distract from the point
and purpose of this event.
Balak, the king of Moab, is fearful now that
the people of Israel are approaching his land. News has travelled ahead of the
Israelites, bringing reports of how this nation of people had destroyed and
defeated numerous others. The people of Moab regard themselves as being a
weaker, smaller nation in comparison to the nations the Israelites had already
defeated. They fear that the army of Israel will make short work of them, with
great ease, just as an ox so easily, even effortlessly licks up the grass. In
their minds the only hope of holding off, or even defeating the Israelites is
by means of divine intervention. Therefore, they consult with one another and
Balaam is perceived to be the right man to speak to the gods and ask for divine
help, for the gods to curse Israel and give the victory to Moab. To persuade
Balaam to come, he is promised great wealth.
On the first request, God makes it very clear
that Balaam is not to go, nor should he curse the people of Israel. A second
request is made of Balaam, with even better terms and conditions, at which
point God instructs Balaam to go with the men, but he is specifically told by
God to only do what God tells him to do.
But this is where it all seems to get a bit
confusing, for God has given Balaam permission to go, but then we read that God
became angry with Balaam for going! What are we to make of this?
We need to ask ourselves, why Balaam thought
he was going, why the princes thought Balaam was coming with them, and why God
had permitted Balaam to go and what He had told Balaam to do?
Balaam and the princes believed that they
were going to curse the Israelites. Balaam was going to do what Balak was
asking him to do, and for great financial reward. But God had made it very
clear that Balaam was not to curse the people of Israel, Balaam was to strictly
obey God. It appears that Balaam did not have a true idea of who God is, nor
how serious God is about obedience. Thus God reveals Himself to Balaam in a
supernatural manner so that Balaam might clearly understand who God is and not
to trifle with God. Balaam’s stubborn, selfish, arrogant and proud nature is
seen in the manner that he treats his donkey. The donkey by turning aside,
pushing against the wall and then lying down was acting so as to protect Balaam
from the danger the donkey saw. Balaam was rebuking and beating the donkey for
not doing what he wanted it to do. His attitude towards God is the same. How
foolish and embarrassed Balaam must have felt when first, his donkey rebuked
him, and secondly when he saw the Angel of the Lord. His donkey was wiser than
he was!
Balaam is once again instructed by God to
only speak the words he is given by God. We need to remember that this is
easier said than done for Balaam, as Balak might not respond kindly to what God
wants Balaam to say, Balaam may lose his life, and will almost certainly lose
any form of reward. Balaam has to make a choice, between himself, or God.
It appears that Balaam obeys God, and states
at the outset to Balak that he will not speak the words Balak tells him to
speak. He will only speak what God tells him to speak.
Numbers 22 teaches us the importance of
obedience to God, on God’s terms. There are times that we may think we are
obeying God, but we have chosen to go about it via a different route. In the
case of Balaam, God’s instructions were specific, which meant they were to be
obeyed, not reinterpreted, or carried out according to his discretion. The
result was that God had to confront Balaam and warn him clearly. We need to
learn from this and apply it to our own lives. When God calls us to obey Him
and His instructions are specific we should not ignore them. We cannot allow
ourselves to think the end justifies the means, as long as the result is the
same it doesn’t matter how it came about. God is perfect in all that He does,
and if we desire to show ourselves to be His children then we will seek to
follow the way of our Father.
Our Father in
heaven, You are perfect in all Your ways, and You call us to walk in obedience
to all Your commands. Help us to understand that our attitude towards obedience
is as important as obedience itself. Also, help us to remember that we do not
have the right to adjust, alter or reinterpret Your commands. May we walk and
live as Christ did, in humble, steadfast and faithful obedience. Amen.
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