Read Numbers 22 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
21:21-22:1 {s} Defeat of kings Sihon and Og
22:2-24:25 {p} Balak and Balaam
Numbers 22:20-35 recounts the famous story of Balaam’s donkey speaking, after Balaam had struck her three times. The story opens and closes with God’s admonition to Balaam to speak only YHVH’s word that He would give him concerning Israel. In fact the story makes a Chiastic Structure:
Now why would YHVH seek to slay Balaam, after He told him to go with the men? I think the temptation was strong for Balaam to speak the word that Balak was wanting to hear, despite his protestations to the contrary to the princes of Moab. So strong, in fact, that his heart was already set to go beyond the word of YHVH, being blinded by greed. The encounter with the angel of YHVH, bearing a drawn sword to kill him in the way, jolted him out of his complacency and cemented for Balaam that he dare not go beyond YHVH’s word. Notice that even when Balaam’s donkey talked, his eyes were not opened to what was really going on. Only when YHVH supernaturally opened his eyes could he see.
In fact, this story reminds me of one other we have read about, where YHVH sends a man on a mission, and then seeks to kill him before he arrives. In Exo 4:24-26, YHVH seeks to kill Moses on his way to Egypt. This is the Common Theme teaching tool of Scripture. In both cases, the encounter strengthens the men’s resolve to not be intimidated to change the word of YHVH, despite the grandeur of mighty kings.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Exo 4:18-26, The puzzle piece of Moses’ wife and sons – Christine Miller
How God used a pagan diviner to deliver a Messianic prophecy – Answers in Genesis
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