We aren’t told very much about who Balaam was and how he came to know about the Lord. Perhaps this is because he was famous enough in his time that no explanation was thought necessary. Not only can we read this account about him in the Old Testament, but an ancient text – the Deir Alla inscription – discovered in the 1960s, also mentions Balaam. He was evidently a well-known character.

Balaam was not a prophet of God. He is called a ‘seer’ or diviner (Joshua 13:22) – words which are never used for God’s prophets. He sought out ‘omens’ (Numbers 24:1) which was specifically forbidden by God (Deut 18:10-11). Yet he knew who God was, and he knew something of his power.

What happened to Balaam seems strange because it looks as though God changed his mind several times. In reality, God’s will never changed. Balaam was not to go with Balak’s men and he was not to curse Israel (verse 12) but Balaam was greedy. His careful words made it clear that he would love to accept the fee on offer, but it was God that wouldn’t let him. This, of course, encouraged Balak’s men to come back with an even greater reward.

Balaam knew God’s will. He had no business inviting the men to stay another night so that he could see what else the Lord would say. The Lord had already spoken, but Balaam allowed a way in for temptation. On God’s second visit to Balaam, since Balaam was already outside of God’s will, God merely gave him permission to do as he pleased. The test would be whether Balaam did what he wanted, or what God wanted.

Of course, Balaam went his own way. God’s will is often very clear, but he allows us to make the choice. Balaam probably believed that he had somehow persuaded God to let him do as he pleased, but he had always had the choice to do that, just like we all do. Will we stay in the perfect will of God? It’s completely up to us!

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH