Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.
The story of Balaam is an iconic story for Israel and for us. Balaam was a prophet. The king of Moab, Balak, came to Balaam to ask him to curse Israel. As Israel came out of Egypt, they began to conquer the nations before them. Balak did not want to be conquered and taken captive by Israel. So on separate occasions he sent for Balaam to have him curse Israel. Balaam appears to be a real believer in Yahweh and he seems to be obedient to God. His heart needed adjusting, to make sure he truly spoke for God, but God eventually allowed him to go with Balak. But he was not to curse Israel at all. He was allowed to go with Balak as long as he spoke what God told him to speak. He did. On four separate occasions He blessed Israel, rather than curse them. Balak was furious. The very thing he didn’t want to happen, happened. Israel was blessed in their conquering Moab. This is where the above final verse of the section comes in. The verse says that the two of them parted ways. It sounds like Balaam has lived as a bright light in front of this unbeliever, Balak. But what we read later in Scripture tells another story. Balaam is used as a negative example here:
2 Peter 2:14-16 (ESV)
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
Balaam’s real heart is exposed here:
Jude 1:11 (ESV)
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
And Balaam’s behind the scene actions are spoke here:
Revelation 2:14 (ESV)
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
In the subsequent chapters of Numbers we will read that Balak will entice Israel to sin by having them join their nation in sexual pleasures under the guise of worshipping their gods. Balaam did not curse Israel but he gave counsel to Balak that he could use to lead Israel astray. Balaam is the perfect example of an opportunistic preacher who was in it for their personal gain. This is why Paul warned young pastor Timothy as follows:
Titus 1:7 (ESV)
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
Leaders for God are not to be in it for personal gain. Balaam was that guy. He is exposed throughout Scripture. God always exposes those who are in Christianity for the wrong reasons. He sees their hearts and exposes them to others.
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