Balaam
A diviner hired to curse Israel who found he could only bless — and whose donkey saw the angel of the Lord before the prophet did.
The King’s Hired Curse
When Balak king of Moab saw the vast multitude of Israel encamped in the plains of his territory, he was terrified. Military confrontation seemed futile, so he turned to a spiritual weapon: he sent for Balaam, a renowned diviner from Pethor, and asked him to curse Israel. His message was frank: “I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed” (Numbers 22:6). He was willing to pay well for the service.
God told Balaam not to go, not to curse Israel, because they were blessed. Balaam sent the messengers away. Balak sent more prestigious messengers with promises of great honor. Balaam told God about the offer. God said he could go, but to do only what God told him. Balaam went — but God’s anger was kindled because he went.
The Angel and the Donkey
On the road, Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing with a sword drawn and turned aside three times, first into a field, then against a wall crushing Balaam’s foot, then lying down. Balaam struck her each time in frustration. Then God opened the donkey’s mouth and she spoke: “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28). Balaam argued with his donkey. Then God opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel, and he fell on his face.
The angel told him the donkey had saved his life — she had turned away from a drawn sword. Balaam confessed his sin and offered to go back. The angel said to continue, but to speak only God’s words. The irony is rich: the prophet who sold his words could not see the heavenly messenger, but his unassuming beast of burden could.
Blessings Instead of Curses
Four times Balak set up altars, had Balaam offer sacrifices, and positioned him to curse Israel. Four times Balaam opened his mouth to curse and blessings came out instead. His oracles became prophecies of Israel’s greatness and a messianic vision of a “Star” out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Balak was furious. Balaam could only say: “Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?” (Numbers 23:12).
The story does not end well for Balaam. Later, he gave Balak advice about leading Israel into immorality with Moabite women — a strategy that caused a plague in Israel. He died in battle against Israel. The New Testament uses “the way of Balaam” as a type of using spiritual position for financial gain (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14).
Numbers 24:17
“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.”
What Balaam Teaches
Balaam is one of scripture’s most unsettling figures: a man who spoke true prophecy from God, including messianic revelation, while simultaneously being motivated by greed and willing to use spiritual access for profit. He knew God’s voice well enough to receive revelation — and eventually used his insider knowledge to do damage through an indirect route when direct cursing failed.
His story warns against the commodification of spiritual gifts and the subtle corruption of someone who treats prophetic access as a tool for personal advantage. The donkey who saw what the prophet could not see is a pointed commentary on where genuine spiritual clarity was in that moment.
Key Scriptures
- Numbers 22–24 — Balak’s request; the donkey; four oracles of blessing
- Numbers 24:17 — The Star out of Jacob prophecy
- Numbers 31:16 — Balaam’s role in the Moabite seduction strategy
- 2 Peter 2:15 — “The way of Balaam” as a type of greed and corruption