So we left off with Balaam sending Balak’s dignified entourage back home with a ‘no’ answer to his request. So that should close this chapter in Jehovah’s story of Balak and Balaam. But, it did not! Satan does not give up that easily and he knows what temptation has worked in the past, as he is a very astute observer, as are all of his evil servants. How does Satan respond to a no?
Numbers 22:14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."
Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.
Just like when Satan tempted Jesus, if the first temptation doesn’t work, just up the ante. Satan, as he lied to Jehovah about Job, believes that all men are just like him. They don’t really honor Jehovah for who He is, but for what He has given them in blessings and honor.
Balak sent a larger, more dignified group and brought more wealth and promises of honor. Remember, Balak is a king and not accustomed to asking, begging, or pleading with anyone. What did he really know about Balaam? This was not just a few hours trip, but Balaam actually lived in Assyria/Babylon. So this distinguished caravan must have made an impression on the surrounding people and even Balaam.
22:16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, 'Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me; 22:17 for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.'"
Can a curse from Balaam overcome the blessings and power of Jehovah? Apparently Balak thought so and even Balaam may have thought the same, since that was his principle source of fame and income.
22:18 Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God. 22:19 "Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the LORD will speak to me."
Why would Balaam think he had to ask Jehovah again? Was he really expecting a different answer? Or, did he believe that when circumstances change so does the correct answer?
Is Balaam more like us than we want to truly contemplate? Do we actually look for the loopholes in Jehovah’s Word? Do we believe because Jehovah hasn’t exactly detailed the problem or opportunity we are presented with, that we can make it holy in our own minds? Aren’t Jehovah’s words enough? Aren’t His principals enough? Aren’t His commandments clear enough?
22:20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do." 22:21 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.
This remains a troubling dialogue, as Jehovah can’t even look at evil, yet He is communicating with a false, greedy, even prideful man! Yet, the first chapter of Job leaves us with the same questions.
1 Kings 22:20 "The LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. 22:21 "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.'
22:22 "The LORD said to him, 'How?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, 'You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.'
22:23 "Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.
We know that this spirit is not a holy angel, as they would never do evil or tempt anyone to do evil. Jehovah would never tempt any of His children to do evil. But, would He allow an evil spirit to deceive an evil king?
More next Saturday.