No Continuity

But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!” [Numbers 22.12]

That night God came to Balaam and told him, “Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do.” [Numbers 22.20]

King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you from your reward.” [Numbers 24.10-11]

Here are three references from today's OYCB reading. I note these three scriptures because they provide a nutshell overview of Balaam's circumstance.

First, God told Balaam not to go curse Israel.

On Balak's second attempt to employ Balaam, Balaam once again sought God and God told him to go (but only speak what He told him to speak)!

Finally, by the report of Balak's disdain with Balaam, we can conclude that Balaam effectively blessed Israel instead of cursing them - not only from the recorded words of Balaam's blessing, but Balak's rebuke as well.

In the midst of this story, we also have the account of Balaam's donkey speaking (when prevented from proceeding by the angel of Yahweh) but Balaam repented and God told Balaam once again to go with the men.

Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.” But the angel of the Lord told Balaam, “Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.” So Balaam went on with Balak’s officials. [Numbers 22.34-35]

Every subsequent reference to Balaam in the rest of the Bible, refers to Balaam as a sinful man. Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Micah, 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation all contain negative references to Balaam even reporting that Balaam was killed along with other enemies of Israel at one point.

I read no continuity at all in the story of Balaam.

Only in Revelation 2.14 do we see a clue as to perhaps the 'rest of the story': ...Balaam. who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.

All we can deduce is that there is much more to Balaam's story than the Numbers account. 

Even so, I find it hard to reconcile that God would tell Balaam not to go the first time and then to go the second time (in the context, Balaam's inquiry seemed genuine and proper in seeking God's will as additional circumstances developed).

Only by really stretching for clues could we possible see Balaam's indiscretion: But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. But stay here one more night, and I will see if the Lord has anything else to say to me.” [Numbers 22.18-19]

Did the word "But..." (bold and underlined above) reveal Balaam's demise? If so, the possible ramifications for modern believers are serious! How many times do we get an answer from God on any particular direction or matter, BUT ask again as if God would say something different the second time?

Father, please reveal to me any situation I have failed to act upon Your first word! But please also reveal any circumstances I am currently involved in that I may have originally been told not to do!