When Prophets Lose Their Way
Balaam is one of the strangest and most tragic figures in the Bible. A prophet who heard from God, yet whose heart was divided. The story in Numbers 22 seems at first like a success: Balaam refuses to curse Israel, insisting that he can only speak what God tells him. But as Scripture unfolds, we see that Balaam’s story is not one of faithfulness, but of compromise—and ultimately, judgment.
A Prophet for Hire
In Numbers 22:5–6, Balak, king of Moab, sends messengers to Balaam with an urgent request: “Come now, curse this people for me… for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” Balaam appears hesitant and replies in verse 8, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” At first, God clearly forbids Balaam from going: “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12).
But when Balak sends more officials and promises greater rewards, Balaam entertains the offer again (verse 18), saying, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God.” Yet he asks God a second time—a sign his heart was already leaning toward compromise. God permits him to go, but only with clear limits: “Go with them, but only do what I tell you” (Numbers 22:20).
The Angel and the Donkey
As Balaam sets out, God’s anger burns against him (Numbers 22:22), and the Angel of the Lord stands in the road to oppose him. Balaam is blind to the danger, but his donkey sees. Three times the donkey turns aside to avoid the angel (verses 23–27). Finally, after Balaam strikes the donkey, God opens the donkey’s mouth: “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (verse 28). Then God opens Balaam’s eyes, and he sees the angel standing with sword drawn.
2 Peter 2:15–16 reflects on this moment: “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.”
Charles Spurgeon writes, “He who serves God for money will serve the devil for better wages.” Balaam’s motivation wasn’t holiness—it was reward. And when riches lead the heart, even divine words can become a tool for self-promotion.
God’s Character Is Unchanging
We might wonder: how can someone who knows God drift so far off course?
1 Samuel 15:29 reminds us, “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a human being, that He should change His mind.” God’s purposes are steady, even when His messengers waver. He doesn’t bend to human agendas or allow His truth to be bartered.
Alexander Maclaren observed, “There is something terribly noble in the steadfastness of God’s purpose, and something unspeakably awful in the contrast with man’s fitfulness.” Balaam thought he could play both sides. But God is not mocked.
Compromise and Corruption
While Balaam didn’t directly curse Israel, he found another way to damage God’s people. Revelation 2:14 records Jesus’ rebuke to the church in Pergamum: “There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.”
Balaam’s counsel led Israel into sin (see Numbers 25:1–3), and the fallout was devastating. Eugene Peterson, in Reversed Thunder, wrote, “Balaam is a religious professional who makes a good living from religion while sabotaging its content. He talks the language of faith while living the life of greed.” That warning still echoes today.
A Warning for Us Today
The story of Balaam warns us against divided hearts. Like Balaam, we may be tempted to dress up disobedience in the clothing of religious language—saying the right words while secretly chasing our own desires.
Balaam’s donkey saw more clearly than he did. Sometimes God uses the unexpected to awaken us from our spiritual blindness. A delay. A disruption. Even a rebuke from someone we least expect. Will we listen?
Balaam’s story ends in judgment. Though he prophesied truth, he lived a lie.
Reflection Questions
Are there ways I, like Balaam, am tempted to speak God’s words while secretly pursuing my own will?
Do I believe God’s character is unchanging, or do I try to bend His will to fit mine?
Am I listening to the warnings God places in my path—even if they come in unusual ways?
Prayer
Lord, keep me from the way of Balaam. Guard my heart from divided loyalties. Make me faithful not just in speech but in life. Help me to follow Your unchanging will, even when the world offers me riches, power, or applause. Give me eyes to see Your truth, ears to hear Your warnings, and a heart that fully belongs to You. Amen.
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