Balaam Curses Israel
- Dates
- 1408 BC
Balak, king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse Israel. God instructs Balaam not to go, but he desires the payment and goes, but God's Spirit works through Balaam and he prophesies good toward Israel, much to the displeasure of Balak.
In detail
God had made known His mind to Balaam. But the Lord allowed him to go. This was merely a permissive directive, based not on God's will but on Balaam's self—will. Had the prophet desired God's will the words recorded would have settled the matter. But when a man is rebellious at heart God may permit him to follow his desires and suffer the consequences (see Ps. 81:11, 12 Hosea 4:17). Balaam is an example of a prophet who prostitutes his calling, seeking to make gain of his divine gift.
Accordingly, we read of the "doctrine of Balaam" (Rev. 2:14), the "error of Balaam" (Jude 11), and the "way of Balaam" (2 Peter 2:15). After Balaam's "talking donkey" tried to persuade him not to go, he still went. When Balaam tried to curse Israel, only blessing came from his lips. Balak's anger was kindled. Upon arriving at his home Balaam conceived a scheme by which the downfall of Israel might be brought about (see ch. 31:16), and returned immediately to Moab to lay his plan before the king. King Balak died soon after in battle (ch. 31:8).
Bible passages
- Numbers 22:22-41
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. …
- Numbers 23:1-30
1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the Lord will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. …
- Numbers 24:1-25
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, 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. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: …
Text of the King James Version.