Bible Discussion Thread

In v. 20, God told Balaam to go with the Moab princes; then in v.21, God became angry with Balaam. Why?

Hello Lorraine. In this account, the Lord had already spoken to Balaam, "And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" ( Numbers 22:12). This was a direct command - there was no further discussion that could be had in it. Yet, Balaam, though still abiding with God's Command & indicating that even if Balak would offer him silver & gold to persuade him, said that he would not disobey the command. But, what was actually in Balaam's heart? His mouth said one thing, but his heart was being tempted & lusting. So, he went to seek the Lord's Word once again on the matter (v19). By doing so, it showed that Balaam was trying to see whether the Lord would change His Mind, or at least, allow him some concession on the matter - that God would understand.

And this time, the Lord told him to go with those men (v20). I see here, that God had a lesson in obedience for Balaam (you've read the account of Balaam's ass encountering the angel of the Lord), & finally Balaam learned it the hard (& painful) way. After learning not to disobey God, Balaam was allowed to proceed & to perform His Will & His Words (in the following chapters). If this had not happened, Balaam would surely have been enticed with the gifts from Balak & therefore brought to him nice, convenient words which Balak wanted to hear. But Balaam learned his lesson & now only brought out God's Word.

And sadly, there are many servants of God, who may be enticed with gifts & the approval of men, who have detoured from God's Word & God's direction for their ministry. This is a story of compromise - there can't be any compromise before the Living God. Remember, how Israel lusted for a king - then God gave them one, Saul, who was not God's choice for them - and they suffered. We should learn from such lessons & apply them to our lives.

Lorraine Whats interesting about Balaam was what it took to stop Him and get His attention,in verse 22 he

is cruising along one an ass with two servants and doesn't see the angel but the ass turned aside! Then he's

headed down a narrow pathway the ass slamming balaam against the wall and balaam beating the ass but the

ass saw the angel dropped down and the prophet didn't get the hint until the the Lord talks to balaam through

the ass's mouth verses 28-30. Wouldn't that be enough to get your attention but God still had to reveal the

angel to balaam to get the hint and he stopped. Eventually he got with balak but didn't tell balak what he wanted

to hear, actually the exact opposite Chapter 23: 19 balaam saying to balak God is not a man that he should lie

neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he not spoken and shall

he not make it good. Its funny sometimes in our lives we need nudging like balaam only perhaps for a different

simpler reason.

Numbers 22:20,22 please note: Numbers 22:21,

GOD had said "If the men come to call the" the previous verse Numbers 22:19, he had told them to "tarry ye here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more" Those guys were already there, Balaam didn't wait. GOD has specific instructions at times especially for HIS prophets. Note: Numbers 20:7-12,

Numbers 22:32-34, Numbers 22:35 given the o.k. to go

Hopefully this is helpful.