Why would Jehovah let Balaam now go to Balak? He had already clearly told Balaam that the people of Israel would be blessed by Him and no one could curse them. But, this is exactly what Balak was asking him to do! What did Jehovah really think of Balaam’s second request?
Num 22:22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.
Jehovah was justifiably angry with Balaam for even thinking of asking Him again, but He let him go? What can we learn? We all know that we can be and are tested by Jehovah. Balaam failed this test! He shouldn’t have even asked again. He should have refused to go again. He should have repented immediately. Jehovah told him to go to show him that he wanted the praise of Balak more than the praise of Jehovah. When we try to appease men or not offend men, we most often are offending Jehovah.
22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way.
22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again.
22:26 The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left.
22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick.
Three times the donkey, a dumb animal, saw the angel of the LORD, and three times he tried to keep Balaam from harm. Why did the donkey see; but Balaam was blinded from seeing?
22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"
22:29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now."
22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No."
This is incredible, Balaam is holding a conversation with his donkey and doesn’t seem to be astonished! Why would he not stop and seriously consider what he was doing?
22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.
22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.
22:33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live."
Jehovah was merciful to this sinful, disobedient, false prophet. He was going to use him even though he was a false prophet for hire. Just like He has used pagan kings and nations for His purposes and even judgment upon Israel and Judah.
22:34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back."
Wow! What a carefully contrived act of false repentance. If Jehovah had not made the donkey turn, Balaam would have died immediately. So, he again tests Jehovah and fails Jehovah’s test of him. ‘If it is displeasing!” Really, did he even after to ask that?
22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak.
This is somewhat similar to Jehovah’s warning and restriction to Satan in the first chapter of Job.
Job 1:8 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."
1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 1:10 "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 1:11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."
1:12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.
Satan thought he knew Job better than Jehovah knew him. Satan thought Job was more like him. Jehovah knew Job was more like Him. Satan failed in his temptation or attack on Job. Job passed this horrific test and was restored.
How will Balaam perform to his test from Jehovah?
More next Saturday.