The Book of Numbers – God is at work for You

Numbers 22 opens with the Israelites travelling to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan with the intention to conquest Canaan.

King Balak of Moab gets a glimpse of the sheer number of Israelites and is terrified. He believed that Israel was too powerful to defeat by military means and so he sought to oppose them through a different method – pagan divination. He makes an alliance with the Midianites to defeat the Israelites.

Balaam summoned

He summons Balaam, a renowned diviner by sending the elders of Midian and Moab to relay a message by Him along with a hefty fee for his services. Balak wanted Balaam to put a curse on the people so that they could be defeated. The messengers present Balak’s request to Balaam. In response Balaam tells them to spend the night there so he could bring back the answer the Lord gives him (verse8).  

Balaam’s response seems so right, so how could he be a pagan diviner? Did he believe in Yahweh? Balaam was not a follower of Yahweh, but was more so someone who considered himself likely to communicate with all gods and did so to get the best outcome for himself.

God does speak to Balaam and clearly states for him neither to go to Balak or put a curse on the Israelites as they are blessed (verse 12). And Balaam tells the messengers “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” (verse 13).

This again seems as such a correct response from Balaam, take note that he does not mention to Balak’s officials about God instructing him to not put a curse on the people as they are blessed. Let’s hold onto this as it will help us understand Balaam character as we go on.

King Balak again sends some more of his officials, more distinguished and with a promise of a handsome fee for Balaam to come and curse the people. This time God tells Balaam to go with them but speak only what God tells him to.

Balaam and his speaking Donkey

Balaam sets out on his journey with his donkey. As he rides his donkey, the angel of the Lord appears before him, but he is not able to see the angel, only the donkey does. This happens thrice and each time the donkey sees and respond. This infuriates Balaam who beats the donkey all three times as the donkey was not listening to him. The Lord opens the Donkey’s mouth to speaks to Balaam “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” (verse 30). Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So, he bowed low and fell facedown.

Num 22:32-35 “The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it. Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So, Balaam went with Balak’s officials.”

A Contradiction?

God gave Balaam permission to go, but we see the Lord’s anger against Balaam here. Why the contradiction? Balaam was allowed to go only if he would do and speak exactly what the Lord says. Let’s look at some scripture to understand Balaam’s character.

2 Peter 2:15 “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.”

Rev 2:14 “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”

Balaam is condemned in scripture for his wickedness. Balaam appeared to have been listening to God and following what he said but God knew Balaam’s real intentions. Balaam’s heart was probably occupied with the monetary gain he could get from King Balak. His motives were centered around himself.

For us: We can easily focus on what pleases us, on what seem to bring us gain, or renown. Nothing can be hidden from the Lord. God can see our hearts and knows our motives and intentions. May our heart’s desire and prayer be that our intentions and actions are not driven by self but centered on God’s will and what pleases Him.

A God who fights for us

Now, where was Israel in all of this. We see the mention of God’s people only once, at the start of the chapter in verse 1 which talks about where they set up camp. This passage does not allude to the fact that the Israelites had any inkling of what was going on. They probably did pray for God’s hand to be over them all, for protection and God to lead and guide them. But they did not know that while they were going about their day, setting up camp, feeding their animals, offering to and worshipping God, there was an enemy that sought a pagan diviner to curse them so he could destroy them. They could not see what God was doing, But God intervened, protected, and prevented them from getting cursed.

God continues to work on our behalf. He is our God who stands in the way and ensures that the enemy will not triumph. If you have been in the wilderness like the Israelites for a period of time and wondering why God does not seen to finish this season soon enough for you, or if you have been feeling that the Lord is silent, remember that he is never absent. Keep seeking Him and worshipping Him. He loves and cares for you and is always on our side. Trust Him to work on your behalf.

“When God is for you, who can be against you” (Romans 8:31)

God Bless.