| WHOSE SIDE IS BALAAM ON? |
| A balky prophet, a talking donkey, and a furious king. |
| Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them?" 23:11 |
| Numbers 22-24 contains one of the most bizarre stories in the entire Bible. It features a donkey speaking fluent Hebrew and showing more insight than a prophet. One man is at the center of the story, the mysterious character named Balaam. Balaam was evidently a professional magician of a nomadic clan somewhat like the gypsies. He had an impressive reputation: nearby kings alarmed by the Israelites hired him to work magid and get the gods on their side. Prophet for Hire Numbers gives enough detail to paint a colorful, dramatic story, but even so, Balaam is cloaked ina fog of mystery. Clearly, God chose to speak through him: he communicated directly to Balaam seven times. Just as clearly, Balaam proved a reluctant prophet, subject to ambition and a handsome bribe. Even his own donkey rebuked him, in the only biblical account of an animal speaking. An angel gave not Balaam, but the donkey, high praise. Balaam appeared at a solemn occasion designed to curse the Israelites, but instead he pronounced blessings on them and curses on their enemies. He gave four stirring messages, far different in content from what his employer wanted to hear. "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?" Balaam asked (23:8). His magnificant prophecies shine out from scenes of comic irony. Balaam grew bolder and bolder, changing from a sorcerer into a prophet with backbone. Prophet or Traitor? Numbers 22-24 presents Balaam as an apparent convert. Tragically, the changes in him were only temporary. Balaam |
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