Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years following their miraculous escape from 430 years of Egyptian captivity (Exodus 12:29-51). Although God was leading them to the land He had promised Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Israel’s complaining and disobedience had caused God to delay their entrance into Canaan; in fact, the older generation was sentenced to die in the wilderness before ever inhabiting the land (Numbers 14). By the fortieth year of Israel’s wanderings, most of the older generation had died off and now the people began their conquest on the current inhabitants of Canaan. After several battles with their enemies, Israel had taken control of the Transjordan and was currently encamping in the plains of Moab just across from Jericho (Numbers 22:1). Israel’s conquest on Canaan was imminent.
When Balak, king of Moab, observed Israel’s conquering of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-31) he became fearful that his people and land would also be destroyed (22:2-4). In order to prevent Moab’s destruction, Balak sent for Balaam, a pagan prophet, and offered him money to pronounce a curse on Israel (22:5-7). Balaam told the messengers to lodge for the night and that he would return to them the next day with the answer from the Lord (22:8). Even though Balaam was a pagan prophet (Deuteronomy 23:3-6; 2 Peter 2:15-16), God spoke to him, but informed him that He should not pronounce a curse on Israel (22:9-12). Balaam returned to the messengers sent from Balak and told them to go back to their land because God would not allow him to go with them (22:13). When the messengers reported that Balaam refused to return with them, Balak sent honorable men and more money in hopes that Balaam would come with them in order to pronounce a curse on Israel (22:14-17). Balaam told the men to stay the night and then the Lord appeared to him that very evening and said, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do” (22:18-20). Balaam arose the next day, saddled his donkey, and accompanied the men to Moab where he would meet Balak (22:21); however, on his journey to Moab, the Lord became angry at Balaam for going with the men (22:22a). Why did God get angry at Balaam when He was the one who told him to go? The Lord knew that Balaam was only going to Balak for financial gain (2 Peter 2:15-16). As a punishment for his selfish motives, God sent an Angel of the Lord to stand in his way (22:22). When Balaam’s donkey saw the Angel with his sword drawn standing in the road, the donkey ran into the field but Balaam struck the donkey in order to get her back on the road (22:23). The Angel appeared again and the donkey pushed herself into a wall and smashed the foot of Balaam, so he hit her once more (22:24-25). The Angel made a third appearance but this time the donkey could not turn to the right or the left so she simply laid down under Balaam (22:26-27a). The donkey’s repeated “stubbornness” angered Balaam so he hit the animal a third time (22:27b), but the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she spoke to Balaam saying, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (22:28). Balaam responded to the donkey and said, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” (22:29). The donkey spoke to Balaam once again saying, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed [contrary] to do this to you?” (22:30). At that very moment, the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the middle of the road with his sword drawn (22:31). Balaam fell on his face and the Angel exposed that the reason he had been stopped was because of his selfish motives (22:32-33). After being confronted with his wickedness, Balaam confessed his wrongdoing and the Angel of the Lord allowed him to continue with the men but commanded him to only speak the words he was told to speak (22:34-35). Balaam accompanied the princes of Balak to Moab and Balak came out to meet him, but Balaam told him that he could only speak the words of the Lord (22:36-40). Balaam needed to release his selfish motives and learn what it meant to be submissive to God’s will.
Dear God, guard my motives.
