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Question about Balaam. Any suggestions as to why God is angry with Balaam when he goes with the men of Moab, after God seems to give him permission to go in Num 22:20 (the KJV seems to have the tense slightly out here)?
My own studies so far have led me to conclude, firstly from the text in Numbers:
- God had already told Balaam not to go (Num 22:12)
- Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel, but they were blessed by God (Num 22:6 cf. 22:12)
- God allows Balaam to go in Num 22:20, as long as he only does what God tells him (Num 22:20)
- In the angel's view, Balaam's way was perverse before God (Num 22:32), and therefore he must be out of line with God's request to 'do what I tell you'
Other scriptures then explain more:
- It would seem, from Deut 23:5, that Balaam actually wanted to curse (‘the LORD would not listen to Balaam’)
- Balaam wanted to go for money (2 Pet 2:15, Jud 1:14), i.e. his motive was wrong
Any thoughts on the above?
Thanks,
Jon.
