The Second Inquiry Is The First Mistake

Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way. [Numbers 24.25] 

And so the story of Balaam ends... or, so it seems...

As with most stories, there is often more to the story than is told. And, such is the case with Balaam.

First, and I hate to say it this way, but it must be said, Balaam's first mistake was his second inquiry of God regarding Balak's request. 

In considering Balaam's second inquiry of God, it might best be understood if one considers the fact that God is a jealous God. I can think of numerous times I went to my spouse 'a second time' with a request that was previously 'nixed' and was then told "go ahead" even though that "go ahead" was jealous sarcasm signaling wrath to come as soon as I proceeded with the "permission granted."

As it is in marriage so it is with God: it is never a good idea to make a second inquiry hoping for a different answer than the first one. Nothing provokes jealousy quicker. What follows is a plethora of mind games with ourselves as we try to justify our every subsequent move based on a the jealous second response instead of the first genuine response. I've been married 45 years - I know what I am talking about (and, so does my wife)!

With my first observation established above, it should now be understood that the 'rest of the story' is not actually revealed in the context of Numbers 22-24, but in subsequent scriptures.

“Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded. “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. [Numbers 31.15-16]

“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of 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. [Revelation 2.14] 

We just don't know for sure if Balaam's advice was given overtly in a separate, unrecorded setting or, if Balak realized from Balaam's inadvertent clues about Israel's unique relationship with God that the only way to overcome Israel then was to contaminate and dilute that distinct relationship with God which was already by this time notably "pure" in both ceremonial and sexual matters. 

I personally lean toward the latter of the possibilities discussed above. Sometimes, saying the right thing in the wrong setting discloses valuable information to an enemy seeking to destroy us. Yes, Balaam should have stood by God's first answer!

How many times have we had an initial "leading" in our spirit about a matter, questioned it a second time, and then proceeded with the second inclination only to make a huge mistake? Usually the second inquiry revolves around personal desires or preferences (our own ways) which are not, in fact, given up in order to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It's all very clear in the writing of this article, but implementation of it is another story altogether - like Balaam's.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Father, may I be found so attuned to You, my Jealous God, that I trust in and stand by Your first answer in every matter every time - giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus. So be it.