Context

The story of Balaam and Balak is an interesting demonstration of God's mercy in action. The children of Israel were in the wilderness, moving towards Canaan. They had defeated King Sihon, who refused to allow them to pass through his land. Moses sent people to request Sihon to allow the passage of the Israelites through the King's Highway. They promised not to look to the left or right at the vineyards or fields. But Sihon refused and gathered an army to fight the people of God. God could not simply sit by and watch the humiliation of his people. So he granted Israel victory. This victory was not up for debate, given the cities and land that Israel possessed afterward. It even prompted singers to compose songs of it, typical of the children of Israel.

The people then turned and went on their way. And as though King Og had not heard of God's victory upon the Israelites, he tried his luck at defeating them, and the end was the same as before.

Balak King of Moab

At the beginning of Chapter 22, we come across Balak, the king of the Moabites. He had pretty good intelligence of everything that had transpired. He knew God was with the children of Israel, and he had no chance of defeating them. So he resorted to what he knew best: divination, Except in this case, he sent for a man of God, Balaam. Balak asked Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he could defeat them.

When the princes came to Balaam, they relayed their message. Balaam gave them lodging for the night as he sought the Lord concerning the matter. Surprisingly, God came to Balaam first and asked about the nature of his visitors’ visit. Balaam repeated the exact words of Balak to God. And God told him not to curse the people because they were blessed. In the morning, Balaam told the princes to return to their land because God had forbidden him from going with them.

The princes returned to Balak and told him that Balaam had refused to accompany them. Persistently, Balak sent another envoy more honorable than the first. This time, Balak spiced up the offer with promises of great honor and anything Balaam requested of him. Balaam was unmoved by these promises. He confidently said that he "could not go beyond the command of the Lord, his God, to do more or less," even though Balak gave him his whole house of gold and silver. Balaam then asked the messengers to sojourn the night as he consulted with the Lord. This time, God consented to the request, but something fascinating happened in the morning.

God's anger was kindled against Balaam for accepting to go with the princes from Moab. Consequently, God sent his angel as Balaam's adversary. Along the way, the angel of the Lord stood with a sword in front of Balaam and his donkey. Ironically, the donkey saw the angel, but Balaam did not. As a result, the donkey moved to the fields, and Balaam struck it in anger. These events happened three times until they were caught in a narrow path with nowhere to turn. The donkey dropped to its knees, and Balaam became very angry with it. Then, the angel of the Lord opened the donkey's mouth to speak. He asked Balaam what he had done to deserve the three strokes he received. Balaam responded that he would have done worse if he had a sword. The donkey wondered what harm he had brought to his master all the years of his service, and Balaam said none.

Then, the angel of the Lord opened Balaam's eyes to see the cause of the donkey's behavior. The angel asked Balaam why he had struck the donkey three times, yet it saved him from death by the sword. Balaam repented his folly and said he would turn back if it pleased the Lord. However, God told him to continue his journey but only speak what He commanded.

When Balak heard of Balaam's arrival, he went out of his way to welcome him. Balak wondered why Balaam had rejected his request. Balaam said he has not come out of his own accord, but whatever words he shall speak shall be the Lord's.

Exposition

Balak’s Request

Balak was the descendant of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. When Lot’s daughters got him drunk and slept with him, they conceived Moab and Ammon. From these sons came the Moabites and Ammonites, who were at odds with the Israelites. When Balak heard of Israel's exploits, he knew he had no chance of defeating them. So he resorted to spiritual warfare. Only when the Israelites were cursed would the Moabites succeed in defeating them. The Mighty Man of War was with them; Jehovah Nissi- the Lord of Host was their refuge. Who were they to fear?

I believe as children of God, we should walk with such confidence. Christ has called us into the fold of God, and scripture says no one can snatch us out of his hands (John 10:29). So be still my friend, He who began a good work in you is faithful to bring it to accomplishment (Philippians 1:6). And Christ is able to present you Holy and acceptable before the Father (Colossians 1:22). Be still in your battles because you are assured of victory.

Balaam’s Response

First, I was shocked to know that there was someone other than the Israelites whom God spoke to. Initially, I thought Moses and the Israelites were the only ones that God communed with at the time. I didn't realize that there was a remnant in Moab. This encourages me that God has remnants all over the earth, even when times seem dark. And He sustains his people even when they are in isolation.

When the princes came to Balaam, he sought the Lord first. He did not trust in his understanding or rely on his skills. He sought the counsel of the Lord. I desire to have this mindset all the days of my life that whenever I am faced with anything, my first response will be to seek the Lord.

God told Balaam not to curse the people because they were blessed. This verse is such an encouragement. In the previous chapters, the Israelites had rebelled against God many times, and in his justice, he brought judgment. But He is still merciful and remembered his covenant with Abraham to bless his descendants for all generations (Genesis 22:17). Therefore, despite Israel’s actions, God still rose up in his majesty and defended them. He was merciful even in times of anger. This reminds me of when David sinned and was presented with the option of God's or man's judgment (1 Chronicles 21:1-27). David chose God because he knew that though He may be angry, He will remember his mercy. And sure, He did.

Balaam returned to the messengers and told them God had refused him to go. Balaam was obedient to God’s commands. In Leviticus (26:1-46), God tells the Israelites that if they obeyed his statutes, He would bless their fields so that when they sow, the heavens will respond with rain. They will have food during the sowing and during the reaping. He will cast out the harmful beasts from among them so as not to disturb their peace. However, the consequence of disobedience would be the opposite. They would run even when no one was chasing them. They would panic and stumble on their own feet. When I look around me, I see the manifestation of this judgment. Panic, anxiety, and drought plague the world. People work very hard, but still, there is no fruit to their labor. Sadly, it is the effect of disobedience. And unfortunately, even the children of God partake of this judgment.

Balak’s Persistence

Balak sends his men a second time and promises riches and honor to Balaam. The three temptations evident in scripture are the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). I heard a particular preacher put it differently: gold, girls, and glory. Balaam was not moved by these promises. Like Jesus, he was cautious of the praises of men (John 2:25). He knew gold and silver were treasures susceptible to destruction of rust and moth (Matthew 6:20). They were not external like the treasure he found in God.

Once again, Balaam allowed them to lodge at his place as he sought the Lord. The Lord permitted him to go, but Balaam was to do only what the Lord commanded.

Speaking Donkey

The interesting thing about this section is the manifestation of God's power. I notice the sovereignty of God. He commands anything, and it responds. He opened the eyes of the donkey way before the eyes of his servant. And I can't help but think that as children of God, we often find ourselves in similar situations. We trust God, or at least think we do, but continue fighting with circumstances. We become so occupied with whatever is happening that we forget someone is in charge. I am reminded of the time Jesus was asleep during the tempest. So sound asleep was He that the disciples mistook that for the absence of care. When He awoke, he simply rebuked the winds, and they were calm (Matthew 8:26). Nature responds to the command of our God. All power in heaven and earth has been given to Christ, our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20). So don’t fear.

When the angel of the Lord opened the donkey's mouth, Balaam responded like that was expected. I notice that when we respond to God and "be still," we treat everything around us with grace. The poor donkey had been serving Balaam for Lord knows how long but still received his rage, Whereas the whole time, he was protecting Balaam from harm. In essence, it was God’s mercy upon Balaam. Otherwise, he would have met his end right there.

Balaam Meets Balak

When Balaam's eyes opened, he realized his mistake and repented. There's a hymn that says, “I once was blind, but now I see" (Amazing Grace by John Newton). When you look closely enough, you realize that folly comes from an inability to perceive the dynamics of anything. The extent to which you perceive God determines your relationship with him.

God tells Balaam to continue with his journey but to speak what He commands. When Balak hears of Balaam's arrival, he is so excited he can't sit still. He goes beyond the border to welcome him. Balak questions his honor and Balaam's perception of him. But Balaam tells him there was no point in visiting the past when he was already in his presence. He then declares that he will only speak the words God put in his mouth and nothing of his own accord.

As children of God, obedience signifies our belief. And we do not want to be on the side of the children of Israel who demonstrated unbelief to the extent that God cast them away. They tested God so much that He passed judgment upon them, and they died in the wilderness.

In my life, I have struggled with unbelief so much because of the people who sinned against me and my questioning of God’s love and protection. Deep down, I knew I wanted to trust God with all my heart and cast every last one of my cares out of the window. I felt hopeless when I heard sermons about unbelief and how it alienates man from God. However, recently, I realized that everything makes more sense when we take it to the Lord in prayer. I mean absolutely anything. If you hate someone, try praying for them and do it genuinely. With time, you'll realize your heart warming up to them, and you're slowly letting go of the bitterness. If you have unbelief, pray about it. Open up your heart and let God work his magic on it. He may prompt you to read a book that clears the fog in your mind, listen to a testimony or a podcast, or reveal Himself to you in the billion ways He can. So be at ease, my fellow sojourner; God is faithful.

By Maureen Naini. Also, on Substack