Numbers 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֤קָם
rose up
H6965
וַיָּ֤קָם
rose up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 10
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וַֽיַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
and saddled
H2280
וַֽיַּחֲבֹ֖שׁ
and saddled
Strong's:
H2280
Word #:
4 of 10
to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
8 of 10
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
Historical Context
The journey from Pethor (near the Euphrates in Mesopotamia) to Moab was approximately 400 miles, requiring weeks of travel. Balaam's willingness to undertake this arduous journey for payment contrasts sharply with his unwillingness to simply obey God's first word.
Questions for Reflection
- When God grants permission for something you demanded, but His anger burns against you for doing it, what does that reveal about the difference between His permissive and perfect will?
- How does your eagerness to exploit God's grudging consent expose whether you're seeking His will or your own desires?
- What blessings-turned-judgments have you experienced by insisting God give you what you wanted rather than what you needed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab—After God gave grudging permission (v. 20: "If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them"), Balaam rushed ahead without being called. The text doesn't say the princes summoned him; he proactively saddled his donkey and departed. His eagerness exposed his heart—he wanted to go all along.
God's anger kindled (v. 22) precisely because Balaam went, even with permission. This paradox reveals that God sometimes grants requests in judgment, giving us what we demand to expose our hearts. Romans 1:24, 26, 28 describes God "giving them up" to their lusts. Balaam got permission but lost God's pleasure—a terrifying distinction.