Meaning of Numbers 22:20

This verse from Numbers 22:20 reveals a pivotal moment in the narrative of Balaam, a foreign diviner summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. God's direct intervention here is striking; He permits Balaam to go with Balak's messengers, a concession that seems counterintuitive given Balaam's subsequent actions and the divine opposition to his intent. However, this permission is strictly conditional: "but do only what I tell you." This highlights God's sovereignty over all events and individuals, even those outside His covenant people, and demonstrates His ability to control and direct outcomes for His purposes. It underscores that even when humans pursue their own agendas, God can work through them, albeit on His terms, to accomplish His will, which in this case, was to bless Israel rather than curse them.

Context and Background

The Moabites, led by King Balak, were terrified by the approaching Israelites, who had recently defeated the Amorite kings Sihon and Og. Fearing for their own survival, Balak sought to employ a renowned diviner, Balaam, from Mesopotamia, believing he could curse the Israelites and thus defeat them in battle. Balak sent emissaries with payment to summon Balaam, whose reputation as a sorcerer capable of invoking divine favor or disfavor preceded him. Balaam initially consulted God regarding the request, and it is in response to this consultation that God speaks to him.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty: God is in ultimate control, even over those who do not know or worship Him. He can permit or forbid actions and direct the course of events.
• Conditional Permission: God's allowance for Balaam to go is not an endorsement of his motives but a strategic allowance to fulfill His own purposes. The crucial caveat is "only what I tell you."
• Obedience to Divine Instruction: The verse emphasizes the absolute necessity of adhering to God's specific commands, especially when engaging with situations or individuals that carry potential spiritual danger or temptation.
• God's Protective Intent for Israel: Despite Balaam's intended purpose, God's ultimate goal is to ensure the well-being and continued blessing of His chosen people, Israel.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage offers a profound lesson on discerning God's will and the dangers of compromising with sin or ill-gotten gain. For believers today, it illustrates that God can use even reluctant or misguided individuals to accomplish His plans. It serves as a warning against pursuing personal gain or acting on intentions that are contrary to God's revealed will, even when circumstances seem to permit such actions. The emphasis on "only what I tell you" is a call to strict adherence to Scripture and divine guidance, guarding against any deviation that could lead to spiritual compromise or disaster. It reminds us that our obedience must be precise and unwavering.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a significant precursor to the Mosaic Law and the ongoing relationship between God and Israel. It demonstrates God's commitment to protecting His people and thwarting their enemies, even through supernatural means. The story of Balaam, particularly his subsequent attempts to curse Israel and his eventual, unintended blessings, foreshadows the persistent opposition Israel would face throughout its history, as well as God's unfailing faithfulness in preserving them. It also sets the stage for later New Testament references that use Balaam as an example of greed and spiritual corruption (e.g., Jude 1:11, 2 Peter 2:15-16).

Analogies

One analogy for God permitting Balaam to go, but with strict conditions, is a parent allowing a child to attend a party where they know there will be temptations, but providing very clear and firm rules about what the child must and must not do, with the understanding that the child's safety and well-being are paramount. Another is a skilled craftsman allowing an apprentice to attempt a complex task, but with constant supervision and explicit instructions at each critical step, ensuring the task is completed correctly and safely.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." This promise to Abraham, extended to his descendants, is the foundational principle underlying God's protection of Israel from Balaam's intended curse.
• Exodus 23:20-22: "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to keep you safe from those who may attack you. Obey him, do not provoke him, because he will not forgive your rebellion, since my name is in him. If you obey him and do all that I command, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you." This passage demonstrates God's active involvement in protecting and guiding Israel, a theme echoed in the Balaam narrative.
• Deuteronomy 23:4-5: These verses later mention that Balak hired Balaam, and that God refused to listen to Balaam's curses, turning them into blessings. This confirms the outcome and God's direct intervention.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." This verse speaks to God's faithfulness in providing a way through difficult or tempting situations, as He did for Balaam and Israel.