Balaam makes God angry
Numbers 22:20-22a That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you." Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
There are volumes written explaining Bible difficulties. I do have to look this one up because it sure doesn't make sense. Please feel free to add comments if you understand why God gave Balaam a directive then was very angry when he obeyed it.
3 comments:
The strange part of this story wasn't God's schizophrenia but the TALKING DONKEY (Numbers 22:28-30). There was also the TALKING SERPENT found in Genesis. These would make great readings.
Okay, God told Balaam to go with them, but if you recall, God's response to Balaam's initial request had been, "DON'T go." Balaam asked again because the king made him an even higher offer. So, God did tell him to go after the second request, but apparently he wasn't all that happy about the whole thing!
First of all, we only read that God is angry. We do not know for sure if he is angry with Balaam or not. But consider this, Balaam asked God once if he should go and God said "no". Balaam should not have asked again when God had already told him not to curse Israel because they were blessed.
So, God allowed Balaam to go and Balaam learned a good lesson on the road. I believe the conversation with the donkey was a way to put Balaam into God's shoes for a moment. Balaam wanted to kill the otherwise obedient donkey because of one moment of disobedience. I think this reveals that Balaam himself was otherwise obedient but needed to be corrected.
God allowed Balaam to proceed and used the situation to benefit Israel.
Post a Comment