Do Only What I Tell You

Q: Why was God angry with Balaam in Numbers 22:22, after He told him to go with the princes of Moab?

A: That is a good question that you are asking. If you are like me it appears as if Balaam angered God for doing what God told him to do. The answer to your question may lie in a closer examination of the surrounding text. "The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination (Numbers 22:7)." Obviously, the elders of Moab and Midian knew enough about Balaam that made them comfortable in trying to purchase his services. Divination, by definition, is the practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means. Therefore, Balaam must have been well known for practicing these occultic behaviors. God had already made His feelings clear about this practice. In Leviticus 19:26, God says, "'Do not practice divination or sorcery." Therefore, when the elders first came to request Balaam's services God said to Balaam, ""Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed (Numbers 22:12)." This is consistent with God's command.

A short time later another, more highly respected, representation from Balak was sent to persuade Balaam with the promise of even more wealth. But, again, Balaam rightly refused to curse Israel in exchange for riches. However, this time God told Balaam "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you (Numbers 22:20)." The key portion of God's command is when He says to Balaam to "do only what I tell you." The very next verse records Balaam saddling his donkey and going with the princes of Moab. But, if you notice, nowhere does it say that Balaam went with the princes of Moab in the manner in which God wanted him to go. It is as if Balaam took God's command and ran with it without seeking God's council prior to making his move. Knowing that Balaam practiced the occult and that he was going to visit Balak, who wanted him to curse Israel, gives the impression that Balaam would have continued to forget God's condition and be led astray by Balak and his promised rewards. That is why I believe God became angry with Balaam.

I think it safe to say that Balaam was blinded by his own lust for Balak's promised riches that God sent the angel to block his path. It is clear that God had sent the angel to kill Balaam and rightfully so. Balaam was disobeying God and was most likely headed to practice his divination against Israel on behalf of Balak. However, we see a picture of God's grace and mercy in the telling of Balaam's encounter with the angel. Instead of God allowing the angel to simply destroy him, God opened the mouth of his donkey, a miracle, in order to get his attention. After beating his donkey three times Balaam is snapped back to his senses. "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 (Numbers 22:31)." Bowing low and falling facedown is a sign of reverence and an acknowledgement that he was in the presence of an angel of the Lord. The minute he saw this angel he confesses his wrongdoing. "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 (Numbers 22:34)." This appears to be confirmation that Balaam had forgotten God's instruction to do only what God told him. And the angel confirms this idea when he reiterates God's command. "The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak (Numbers 22:35)."

As the story continues we see where Balak indeed wanted Balaam to curse Israel. However, when God intervened with His angel and reminded Balaam to only do what God told him to do, Balak's offers of riches were rebuked by Balaam so he could focus on God alone. Over the next two chapters Balaam utters a series of oracles, messages from God, that do not curse Israel, as Balak desired, but rather reveal Israel's favor in the eyes of the Lord. Eventually, Balak became so furious that he sent Balaam home without a reward. Balaam replied, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says' (Numbers 24:12-13)?" Balaam did only what God had told him to do and he was able to remind Balak of exactly what he told Balaks representatives when they first summoned him. God's anger served as a reminder to Balaam to only do what God told him to do. And thus Balaam was used by God to bless Israel and be a witness to Balak as to the power of God and His faithfulness to the people of Israel. It should also serve to remind us of God's faithfulness to us because of our faith in Christ.