Balaam was a man who raises many questions for
the Bible student. He was a soothsayer, yet he was able
to predict the future of Israel. He listened to God’s
Word and faithfully proclaimed it, yet turned right
around and led Israel into sin and judgment.

In verses 1-14 of chapter 22, Balak, king of
Moab, is fearful of Israel passing by on her way to
Canaan, and sends for Balaam. He asked Balaam to use his
demonic magical powers to curse Israel while they were
encamped in the plain of Moab. Balaam refused, and
Balak’s messengers went home and reported failure.
However, Balak was not one to give up easily and sent
princes more noble than the first, and promised Balaam
wealth and honor if he would reconsider the matter of
cursing the Jews.

This is what Satan always does. Once we have
made the decision to obey God’s Word, Satan will make
every effort to get us to compromise our standards and
change our decision to obey God.

God allowed Balaam to go with the princes of
Balak, but only to test Balaam. It is here that the
well-known episode with the angel and the ass takes
place. The angel stood in Balaam’s way, but the prophet
did not see him. The ass did, and acted so strangely
that Balaam smote her. When he saw the angel, he
realized his mistake. In verse 32 God said, “Thy way is
perverse,” so there was no reason for Balaam to say, “If
it displease thee, I will get me back again.”

Balaam was playing with God’s will. Within his
heart he was seeking his own will, wanting God to put
His stamp of approval upon it. So he was actually
testing God, seeing how far he could go.

The main lesson here is that we find the will of
God and obey it, regardless of personal desires or
subsequent circumstances. It is always dangerous to play
with God’s will!