Why did God get angry with Balaam despite telling him to go?

The story of Balaam, found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24, is one of the more intriguing narratives in the Old Testament. It involves a prophet, a talking donkey, and a series of divine interventions that reveal much about God's nature and expectations. The question of why God became angry with Balaam, despite initially telling him to go, is a profound one that requires a careful examination of the text and its context.

To understand God's anger towards Balaam, we must first consider the broader narrative. Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet who was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Balak was terrified of the Israelites because of their numbers and the victories they had achieved as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. He believed that a curse from Balaam would weaken them and allow him to defeat them.

When Balak's messengers first approached Balaam with the request to curse Israel, Balaam sought God's guidance. God explicitly told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12, NIV). Balaam relayed this message to Balak's messengers, and they returned to Balak with the refusal.

However, Balak did not give up easily. He sent more distinguished officials and promised Balaam great rewards. Balaam's response to this second delegation is telling. He said, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God” (Numbers 22:18, NIV). Yet, despite this seemingly firm stance, Balaam invited the officials to stay the night so he could seek further guidance from God.

It is at this point that God's instructions to Balaam change. God tells him, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you” (Numbers 22:20, NIV). Balaam's willingness to entertain a second request, despite God's initial clear directive, hints at a heart that is not fully aligned with God's will. This is a critical aspect to understand: Balaam's actions were driven by a desire for the rewards promised by Balak, which indicates a divided heart.

The next morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and set out with the Moabite officials. It is here that we read, “But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him” (Numbers 22:22, NIV). This verse raises the question: Why did God become angry when He had just told Balaam to go?

The key to understanding this lies in the motives and intentions of Balaam's heart. Although God permitted Balaam to go, it was a concession rather than a command. God's anger was directed at Balaam's underlying motivation. Balaam's eagerness to go with Balak's men, despite knowing God's original prohibition, reveals his covetousness and willingness to compromise divine instructions for personal gain.

The narrative continues with the famous incident of Balaam's donkey. As Balaam travels, the angel of the Lord blocks his path three times, but only the donkey sees the angel. Each time the donkey stops or turns aside, Balaam beats it. Finally, the Lord opens the donkey's mouth, and it speaks to Balaam, questioning why it is being beaten. Then the Lord opens Balaam's eyes, and he sees the angel with a drawn sword. The angel rebukes Balaam, saying, “I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me” (Numbers 22:32, NIV).

This divine intervention serves as a dramatic illustration of God's displeasure with Balaam's intentions. The angel's words highlight that Balaam's journey was not in alignment with God's will, even though he had been given permission to go. The term “reckless” underscores the danger of Balaam's path, driven by greed and a desire for earthly rewards.

Balaam's encounter with the angel leads to a moment of repentance. He offers to turn back, but the angel instructs him to continue, with the caveat that he must speak only what God tells him. This reinforces the conditional nature of God's permission and the importance of obedience to divine commands.

As the story unfolds, Balaam meets Balak and is taken to various locations to curse Israel. However, each time Balaam attempts to speak, God puts words of blessing in his mouth instead of curses. Despite Balak's frustration and repeated attempts to manipulate the situation, Balaam remains bound by God's words, delivering blessings over Israel.

The narrative of Balaam concludes with a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the pursuit of personal gain. Although Balaam initially appears to obey God's command to bless Israel, later texts reveal his true character. In Numbers 31:16, we learn that Balaam advised the Moabites to seduce the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, leading to God's judgment on Israel. This act of treachery underscores Balaam's ultimate failure to align his heart with God's will.

The New Testament also references Balaam as a cautionary example. In 2 Peter 2:15-16, Balaam is described as someone who “loved the wages of wickedness” but was rebuked for his wrongdoing. Jude 1:11 and Revelation 2:14 further condemn Balaam for leading others into sin for personal gain.

In conclusion, God's anger with Balaam, despite telling him to go, is rooted in the prophet's underlying motives and divided heart. Balaam's willingness to entertain Balak's offers, despite knowing God's clear prohibition, reveals a desire for material rewards that ultimately led to his downfall. The story of Balaam serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning our hearts and actions with God's will, resisting the temptation to compromise for personal gain. It also illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to use even reluctant and flawed instruments to accomplish His purposes.