Balaam

Description

Balaam

It is one thing to know the truth and another matter entirely to be true to the truth. What does it mean to be true? Maybe this story will explain.

The children of Israel were nearing the end. They were camped on the east side of the Jordan across from Jericho. The Moabites and Midianites, on whose land they were camped, were frightened. They saw what Israel had done to the Amorites and knew that they were next. They also recognized they were grossly outnumbered against the hosts of Israel. In short, they didn’t have a chance. So Balak, the King of the Moabites, sent for Balaam, a man renowned for his power with God. Balak’s reasoning was that if Balaam would curse Israel in God’s name then he could defeat them.

After hearing the proposition, Balaam took the matter to the Lord. The Lord said, “Thou shalt not go with them, thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)

That answer did not satisfy Balak. He sent more honorable princes than the first saying, “Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: for I will promote thee unto very great honor.” (Numbers 22:16-17)

This time Balaam was given leave by the Lord to go, but with this strict command, “The word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” (Numbers 22:20)

Balaam and Balak looked down on the numerous hosts of Israel. Balak asked him again to curse Israel. “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?” Balaam responded. (Numbers 23:8) And to Balak’s consternation, Balaam proceeds to bless Israel in God’s name.

Balak takes Balaam to another higher place where he can see more of Israel’s numbers and pleads again for the prophet to curse them, but once again, Balaam blesses them instead.

In a last effort, Balak takes Balaam to the top of Peor and asks him to curse Israel, but once again, Balaam stands true to his original command and blesses Israel.

Balak is angry and says, “I called to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.” (Numbers 24:11) To which Balaam says in effect, ‘I told you at the beginning that I would only say what the Lord told me to say.’

At this point it appears as though Balaam has stood true to the Lord. However, when Israel goes to war with the Midianites they kill Balaam. Why? Hadn’t Balaam defended them? No, Balaam did not stay true. Moses, Peter, Jude, and John all make reference to Balaam.

Evidently, Balak’s last offer of wealth and honor was too much for Balaam. He would not curse Israel, but he showed Balak how to do it. Balak sent beautiful women among the men of Israel to seduce them into idolatry and curses followed.

To be true means to stick to the truth. It means to always take the Lord’s side, never deviating.

Balaam spoke the truth but was not true to the truth, and he perished, as will all who are seduced by the world.