Numbers 22:20

Analysis & Commentary

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. This verse presents one of Scripture's most theologically complex divine permissions—God allowing Balaam to proceed while simultaneously constraining his actions. The phrase "God came unto Balaam" (Elohim, not Yahweh) indicates genuine divine communication, yet the permission granted contains severe restrictions.

God's initial response to Balak's request was absolute prohibition: "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" (22:12). However, after Balaam's persistence and Balak's increased offer, God permits the journey with the crucial limitation: "but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." This represents permissive will rather than directive will—God allowing human choice while maintaining sovereign control over outcomes. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the restrictive clause: akh et-hadevar ("only the word") establishes absolute boundaries on Balaam's prophetic utterances.

This passage reveals:

1. God's sovereignty over pagan prophets—even those outside the covenant can be instruments of His purposes
2. the danger of pursuing what God permits but doesn't approve—Balaam's journey led to judgment (22:22)
3. divine control of prophetic speech—no curse could prevail against God's blessed people;
4. the principle that God's permissive will may include testing our motives and allowing us to experience consequences of wrong desires.

Historical Context

This narrative occurs around 1405 BCE (early chronology) or 1230 BCE (late chronology) as Israel camped in the plains of Moab, preparing to enter Canaan. Balaam ben Beor was a renowned Mesopotamian diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates River (Numbers 22:5), approximately 400 miles from Moab. His international reputation as a prophet whose blessings and curses were efficacious explains why Balak, king of Moab, would send such a distant summons.

Archaeological evidence illuminates Balaam's historical context. The 1967 discovery of the Deir 'Alla inscription in Jordan's Jordan Valley (8th century BCE) mentions "Balaam son of Beor, the man who was a seer of the gods," confirming his lasting reputation in Transjordan traditions. Ancient Near Eastern divination practices included examining animal livers, observing omens, and receiving divine dreams—practices Balaam would have employed.

Balak's fear of Israel stemmed from recent Israelite victories over Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35), demonstrating Israel's military superiority. Moab, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37), shared ethnic connections with Israel but remained outside the covenant. The historical setting reveals international politics, religious syncretism, and the widespread belief in prophetic power. Balaam's story demonstrates that even pagan religious practitioners recognized Yahweh's supreme authority, though Balaam's later counsel led Israel into sin (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14).

Questions for Reflection

• What is the difference between God's permissive will and His directive will, and how can we discern whether He is approving or merely allowing our choices?
• Why might God permit us to pursue paths He doesn't fully approve, and what does Balaam's example teach about the consequences of such pursuits?
• How does God's absolute control over Balaam's prophetic words demonstrate His sovereignty to protect His people even through unwilling or compromised instruments?
• What warning does Balaam's story provide about mixing spiritual gifting with mercenary motives or serving God while pursuing worldly gain?
• In what areas of life might we be persisting in requests to God that He has already answered negatively, and how should Balaam's experience shape our prayers?