Will The Real Balaam Stand Up!

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold 

the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before 

the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2: 14

     Why take so much time about Balaam? First, and foremost, Jesus had this recorded about him and that this He opposed this doctrine of Balaam. Secondly, there is much confusion over this narrative, especially about a talking donkey, and the seemingly words about not cursing Israel as Balak wanted him to do. In fact, it sounds, when a person reads this narrative that Balaam was not a bad person. So why this condemnation towards Balaam? Thirdly, how are we to understand this narrative and how does and how can we apply it to our own lives? 

     Let us review this narrative: Moab and Ammon were descendants of Lot and Israel was living in their land and had defeated the Amorites and Balak was in great fear of Israel. One must wonder, however, just why the Moabites were so frightened. They should not have feared for their lives. The Ammonites and the Moabites were the offspring of Lot, and thus related to the Israelites. This kinship with the Moabites had a command given to the Israelites not to harm them (Deuteronomy 2:9,17-19). The war by the Israelites that had destroyed the Ammonites was fearful but the Moabites were concerned economically as well for the were fearful that the Israelites would consume the natural resources leaving less for themselves (Numbers 22:4). Balak sought a way to rid his land of the Israelites and he sent for Balaam. Why Balaam? Were there not other seers in the land? Yes! Why then Balaam? To achieve their plan to rid their land of Israel Moab conspired with the Midianites to find a man who had connections with the spiritual underworld and who could by those connections have a curse placed upon Israel. The best of the diviners was Balaam who was from Pethor, a city located along the Euphrates River. A discovery in 1933 in the city of Mari that was located in the Euphrates Valley a great number of cuneiform tablets revealed a large number of the existence of a complex cult of prophets and seers whose practices resemble those of Balaam. This makes this narrative about Balaam more understanding. Make notice of this: Israel did not send for Balaam to aid them in this struggle, it was Balak the king of the Moabites. By the use of Balaam king Balak thought that he would prevail for Balaam apparently was known to be one of the cult of seers in the Mesopotamian Valley. Albeit that this is true God can use whatever, even bad things to accomplish His purposes and we will see how God did just that with Balaam. 

     I believe that Balaam was not a true prophet of Jehovah and in fact was not even a true believer in Jehovah. What he was was a well-known diviner with a reputation for effectively cursing other nations. If Balaam did not have a reputation for effectively cursing others then why did God forbid him to do so towards Israel? Balaam's powers did not come from God but from Satan.

     Balak sent men to Pethor where Balaam lived and offered to pay him for his services (Numbers 22:8). We now begin to learn something about Balaam. Balaam did not commit at the first but had the delegation to spend the night with him and giving him the opportunity to inquire Jehovah about their offer. Balaam must have known something about the God of Israel for he used the word Yahweh instead of the generic word Elohim. He was a descendant of Abraham and Lot and would know something about the people of Israel. He would certainly know of the blessing given to Abraham and for Abraham's seed, the nation of Israel, he did live in the land where Abraham dwelt. So why ask God if it was alright for him to curse Israel? It seemed as if Balaam was asking God if it was alright for him to curse Israel. How could Balaam asked God if it was alright for him to go back to Balak so that he could curse Israel? 

     Will the real Balaam stand up! Well he will and we will come to know more about him and this narrative and why the doctrine of Balaam is opposed by God. The book of Numbers is too often passed over and not read or taught in depth but it needs to be so for in it God reveals much for us. The speaking donkey: what about that? Really, a speaking donkey? Many laugh at this narrative but it is a part of the story about Balaam and we must come to understand its truth. As I stated, I will take time to examine what is written in the Bible, its truths, and its application. 

But upon mount Zion

    shall be deliverance,

and there shall be holiness;

    and the house of Jacob

shall possess their possessions.

                 Obadiah 17

You have come to Mount Zion

Richard L. Crumb