4th.: Balaam’s Second Inquiry
Balak did not like Balaam's first response
So he sent more honorable messengers with a more enticing offer.
Balaam responded with:
“… tarry ye also here this night that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more.” (Num. 18:19).
People in the Bible have double-checked with the Lord regarding various issues.
(e.g. Exo. 6:30; Num. 15:32-36; Judges 13:13-14).
At face value, Balaam was simply going a second time to the Lord.
God then came to 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.” (Num. 22:20).
This response did not seem out of the ordinary.
So Balaam got up in the morning, and went (Num. 22:21).
Yet, God was not happy with this decision.
“And God’s anger was kindled because he [Balaam] went.” (Num. 22:22a).
Why did God get angry?
Wasn't Balaam just obeying?
There is at least one difference between the above mentioned double-checks and the second inquiry by the Moabites.
The Moabites were trying to buy curses toward Israel. They had simply increased the offer.
Perhaps, Balaam convinced himself that he was simply trying to help his neighbors.
Unfortunately, the money clouded Balaam’s discernment.
Do we let the money (or whatever), blind us to what God wants us to do?
“Thou shalt take no gift, for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.” (Exo. 23:8)