But God

#26. BUT GOD GETS ANGRY

Numbers 22:22, 23 NLT

“But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road.”
*also found in the NIV

Again, God is allowing us to see the full story of what happened here by just following the BUT GOD clues. After Balaam did not go the first time, more distinguished officials had come back to sweeten the offer for Balaam to entice him to go. God had already told Balaam not to go with King Balak’s officials to curse the Israelites (#25). Instead of resisting them, Balaam again let them stay the night to see if God would give him another answer. Balaam already knew what God’s answer was, so why does Balaam ask again? Could it be that he really wanted to go see the king and have all the riches offered? But why would Balaam want to visit a king who wanted to curse God’s people? Maybe because he was a false prophet and at times and did not always do what was right.

In verse 20, we read that God told Balaam he could go this time, BUT GOD made sure Balaam knew he was only to say what God told him to say. When God told Balaam he could go this time, the English transliteration of Hebrew words used was, “Vielech Etam” meaning, “Go not in common purpose.” Meaning, he could go, but not in the common purpose of coming against the Israelites, as was the purpose of King Balak.

I never understood these two things: why it seemed that God changed his mind and let Balaam go and then, why God got mad at him when Balaam went. Seeing the Hebrew translation of the words makes it obvious. God really had not changed His mind. God still did not want Balaam to curse the Israelites. He was letting Balaam go based on that understanding. But, we read in Numbers 22:21, Balaam “went with” the princes. The English transliteration of Hebrew words used when describing how Balaam went was, “Vielech Eim,” which means that Balaam “Went with common purpose.” He went in order to curse the Israelites.* This is opposite of what the Lord told him to do! That is why this BUT GOD verse says God was angry with Balaam for going. Balaam left early and despite the donkey’s resistance to go, Balaam pushes it. He then beats it three separate times until the donkey actually speaks to him and Balaam sees the angel blocking the road! I think Balaam had an issue with being stubborn, and we think donkeys are!

When we are stubborn, we cannot see the heart of God. Entertaining “better offers” and thinking we can do things the way we want can lead us into trouble. God does not like it when we do not listen to Him the first time. If God allows us to have our way, it might come with contingencies. God did not change his mind about letting Balaam go, He just gave clear instructions on how to go. God was very clear about the boundaries He was setting around His allowing Balaam to go.