Numbers 22:9-10 – God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?” Balaam answered, “Balak, son of King Zippor of Moab, sent them with this message.
Balaam was not an Israelite, but he obviously had a connection with Yahweh somewhere. Whomever he blessed was blessed and whoever he cursed was cursed (Number 22:6). But the amazing part is that Balaam was not surprised, afraid or anything like that when Yahweh spoke to him. Despite what happened later, he knew Yahweh.
Numbers 22:20-22 – That night God came to Balaam and said, “If these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.” When Balaam got up in the morning, he saddled his donkey and left with the Moabite princes. God became angry that he was going. So the Messenger of the Lord stood in the road to stop him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants.
Yahweh told Balaam to go, but do only what he tells him to do. Then he got angry and stood in his way. When Balaam finally saw it was the messenger of the Lord, he stopped and bowed (this is a whole other sermon) and said he would turn back (Numbers 22:35), but Yahweh tells him to go ahead and only say what he tells him to say.
Numbers 23:11 – Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you’ve done is bless them!”
Balaam told Balak from the get go that he will only say what Yahweh tells him to say. So why he vex.
Numbers 24:2 – (Balaam) looked up, and saw Israel’s camp grouped by tribes. The Spirit of God entered him.
We need to revisit every sermon that I’ve heard about Balaam and rescind them. Balaam knew Yahweh in some way shape or form. He listened to him, had convos with him and was filled with the spirit at this point. He was not disobedient. He was following Yahweh’s instruction all the way. I have to change my view of Balaam.
Numbers 31:16 – “Remember, they were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the incident that took place at Peor. The Lord’s community experienced a plague at that time.
I’m confused. Balaam did what Yahweh said he should. He did not (based on the record) tell anyone to have sex with anyone. What is going on here? (Edit): Joshua 13:22 – Along with these leaders, the people of Israel also killed Balaam, son of Beor, who used black magic. Well. Though Balaam was following Yahweh, he then/also practised black magic. Why he had to do that?