After blessing Israel a third time, Balaam is sent away by an utterly frustrated Balak. Before leaving, Balaam prophesies the defeat of Moab:
” ‘…a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead[c] of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities! Alas, who shall live when God does this?’ Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.” (v17b-19, 23b, 25)
Three times, from three different locations around the Israelite camp, Balak orders Balaam to curse Israel. All three times Balaam blesses Israel, because he heeded the word of the Lord. Miraculously, even after prophesying the destruction of Moab (Balak’s people), Balak lets Balaam go home unharmed (pretty merciful for someone who wants the nation of Israel destroyed [or at least sent away from the land]).
Now the obvious path here is to talk about Balaam and his steadfast obedience to God, even when he was likely facing execution, however, I would like to look at Balak, the antagonist in this account. For multiple chapters he does everything in his power to kick Israel off the doorstep of their promised land.
According to a source outside of the Bible (The Zohar), Balak’s title “Son of Zippor” does not refer to his ancestry, it refers to him practicing some form of sorcery/witchcraft. He allegedly created a magical bird that would sit on his shoulder and whisper prophesies of the future into his ear. The bird told him he would not succeed against Israel, yet he did not listen.
He knew his army couldn’t overpower them, so he devised a plan to have a holy man curse them. This too fails, and he later confers with the Midianites who send women to seduce and mislead the Israelite men (coming up in Num 25).
This guy just doesn’t give up. Ultimately, the people of Moab are destroyed. Many go into Babylonian captivity, and their lands are later conquered by Arabs. Just like other kings who disobey God, it not only causes the king’s destruction, but the destruction of the entire people.
I would caution us against pursuing our own agendas (or pursuing good things in our own wrong way). Even though Balak thought he had the best interests of his people in mind, he went about protecting them in the wrong way (he went against God). The history of Moab could have been very different if he had taken Balaam’s prophesies (and the prophesies of his magic bird) under advisement and threw himself at God’s feet. I’m sure God would have gladly spared Moab from destruction (when has God ever destroyed someone for repenting?). God has always used prophesies as warnings, saying “this will happen if you don’t change your ways” – God is gracious and merciful to those who heed His warnings. If only Balak had heeded the warnings he had been given… Unlike Balak, let’s listen to God’s voice when He speaks – who knows what will happen?
Father God, gracious and merciful redeemer, we praise You. Holy is Your name, for Your steadfast love endures forever and Your word will not be broken. Thank you for keeping Your promises – please forgive us for those promises we have broken. May we learn to heed Your voice in all circumstances, at all times, so we may be spared from destruction and proclaim the glory of Your name. In the name of Jesus who broke the bonds of eternal destruction, Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training