Chapter 1: King Balak Sends for Balaam
Numbers 22:1–21
Q1 - Did God really not know who the men were who came to Balaam in Numbers 22:9? Why do you think He asked Balaam this question?
A1 - It’s likely God asked this question in order to make Balaam verbalize what he had been asked to do, which was to cause harm to these people who had come out of Egypt. Hearing yourself say something often creates a higher level of comprehension than does simply hearing someone else say something. You have to hear the words, filter them through your brain, and formulate what you will say. Then when you speak the words, you hear with your own ears what comes out of your mouth. As one of the commentaries stated, this inquiry by God was “calculated to arouse the slumbering conscience of Balaam, and to open his eyes to a perception of his sin and of his danger” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Numbers 22:9).
Q2 - The second time Balak’s emissaries approached Balaam, why did he not immediately send them away rather than again inquiring of God?
A2 - Balaam already knew God’s answer in Numbers 22:12 from the first time he asked—Do not go with them! If he had truly believed God, he would have immediately turned away the second group of Balak’s officials and not made inquiry of God again. Yet, he did inquire again, which seems to indicate that he really wanted to go with them. Why would he want to go? Think of the boost to his reputation and to his ego if he were successful in cursing the Israelites, or even if something happened for which he could take credit that made him appear successful. And, if he could showcase his power, he could also increase his fee for his services! Power and money are great motivators and in all likelihood were what motivated Balaam to make his second inquiry of God.
The real question becomes why did God say “yes” the second time? Sometimes God gives in, not because He has changed His mind, but because people may be too stubborn to believe Him and need to go see for themselves. The discussion of wisdom in Proverbs 1:20–33 addresses this very issue. When people do not accept what wisdom tells them (or God’s advice) they are allowed to experience the result of their folly. “Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes” (Proverbs 1:31 NLT).
Take the time to read the excerpt on wisdom in Proverbs 1:20–33. Other scriptures which address God’s allowing people to have their way even when they are on the wrong path are Psalm 81:11–12 and Jeremiah 2:19.
Q3 - What warning did God give the Israelites concerning divination and sorcery? (See Leviticus 19:26b, 31. See also what Moses will soon tell them in Deuteronomy 18:9–14.)
A3 - In Leviticus 19:26, God warned the Israelites not to practice divination or sorcery. Then in verse 31, He told them not to turn to mediums or to seek out spiritists, for they would be defiled by them. In Deuteronomy 18:9–14, Moses went into more detail. His list included offering children in sacrifice, practicing divination or sorcery, interpreting omens, engaging in witchcraft, and casting spells. In addition, he stated that no one should be found among them who was a medium or spiritist or who consulted the dead. Other Bible versions include terms such as fortune telling, observing times, soothsaying, using enchantments, practicing augury, engaging in occult practices, and reciting charms.
Why are all these things condemned? Because people who turn to such things are turning to the wrong source. They are listening to or obeying or calling upon forces other than God. In the first two of His Ten Commandments, God made quite clear that He is to be the only God for His people. He is the only source. Furthermore, He is a jealous God, which means He shares the stage with no one. (See Exodus 20:1–17 for the Ten Commandments.)
The nations the Israelites were to conquer practiced many of these things. In Leviticus 20:26, God said He wanted His people to be holy to Him, for He had separated them from the other peoples. Then He stated In Leviticus 20:27 that anyone who was a medium or spiritist should be put to death; they should be stoned.
Undoubtedly, there are spirits and forces present in this world that are not of God. Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. John advised us in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see if they are from God.
While we are no longer commanded to put mediums or spiritists to death under the New Covenant, Paul included sorcery or witchcraft with other works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19–21. Then he went on to state in verse 21 that those who practiced such things would not inherit the kingdom of God. In Revelation 21:8, sorcerers or those who practice the magic arts are grouped with those who will be in the lake of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.