In the journey of faith, we often encounter stories from the Bible that serve as both cautionary tales and sources of profound wisdom. One such story is that of Balaam, a man who initially seemed blessed with a unique gift but ultimately allowed greed to lead him down a treacherous path. In Numbers 22, we find the riveting account of Balaam’s downfall, which holds valuable lessons for us today. This story is a stark reminder of the dangers of greed and the consequences of valuing personal gain over God’s commandments.
The Downfall of Balaam
The downfall of Balaam is a significant event described in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-24. Balaam was a prophet blessed with the gift of divine communication. He had the ability to hear God’s voice and deliver His messages to the people. However, he was essentially a prophet for hire in an area where the false god Baal was worshipped. When Balak, the king of Moab, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, he offered Balaam great wealth and honor to curse the Israelites. Numbers 22:5-6 tells us, “Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! Therefore, please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
The Seductive Nature of Greed
Balaam’s journey began with an invitation from Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, who were encamped nearby. At first, Balaam refused, recognizing that he could only speak what God instructed him to say, “Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.” Numbers 22:18. Yet, when Balak offered him great riches, Balaam’s resolve wavered. He asked God for permission to go, even though he already knew God’s will.
How often do we find ourselves in a similar predicament? We know what God’s word says, but we start to rationalize, seeking ways to bend His will to match our desires. As reinforced in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Balaam’s story is a stark reminder of the slippery slope that greed can create in our lives.
The Consequences of Compromising Our Integrity
As Balaam journeyed to meet Balak, he faced multiple obstacles, including the famous incident where his donkey spoke to him (Numbers 22:21-35).
21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again.
26 Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”
30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?”
And he said, “No.”
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.
32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out [c]to stand against you, because your way is perverse[d] before Me.
33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”
35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”
God was trying to get Balaam’s attention and redirect him from the path of disobedience, but Balaam persisted.
In the end, Balaam arrived before Balak, but instead of cursing the Israelites, he blessed them three times, in accordance with God’s plan. His greed had led him to a place of compromise, but ultimately, God’s will prevailed. However, the story doesn’t end there. Balaam’s greed led him to give Balak advice on how to corrupt the Israelites through immorality and idolatry (Numbers 31:16). This advice brought disaster upon the Israelites and led to Balaam’s eventual demise (Numbers 31:8).
Aligning Our Desires with God’s Will
To avoid the pitfalls of greed, it is crucial that we align our desires with God’s will. As Proverbs 16:3 wisely states, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” We must seek His guidance and surrender our desires to Him, trusting that He knows what is best for us. Psalm 37:4 reassures us, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Rather than pursuing worldly wealth and possessions, we should focus on using the spiritual gifts and blessings God has given us for good, serving others, and building His kingdom.
In conclusion, the story of Balaam serves as a poignant reminder that blessings can quickly become curses when driven by greed. It highlights the dangers of compromising our integrity and straying from God’s path. Let us learn from Balaam’s mistakes and strive to align our desires with God’s will, putting our faith in Him rather than worldly possessions. May we use our blessings to bring glory to God and serve others selflessly, avoiding the disastrous consequences that come with greed.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
