And a modern emphasis on scientific, rational thought often makes us look down our noses at beliefs and opinions that are couched in superstition or touch on the supernatural. Balaam was a wicked prophet in the Bible and is noteworthy because, although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. Several sources translate it either "glutton," or "foreigner." False teachers are plentiful in Christianity today. Even today. It's difficult to answer. Every definition given of qasam is that of demonic divination and the opposite of true prophecy. It was said to him, "he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed" ( Numbers 22:6 ). <> Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. Thank you for subscribing to emails from ReformJudaism.org! He is identified as "son of Beor," who was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites who had massed near the eastern border of Canaan and had defeated two of his neighboring kings. Balaam: A Case Study in True Prophecy | Reform Judaism What kind of omens did Balaam seek? The plot of Balaam's story is simple enough: Balak sends Moabite emissaries to hire him, but it takes some convincing because God has told Balaam not to agree to curse Israel. He was the son of Beor, a king of Edom ( Gen 36:31-32 ). 106a). Balaam can't see it but apparently his donkey can ( Numbers 22:23 ). Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Our regular commentaries and videos are a great way to stay intellectually and spiritually engaged with Jewish thought and wisdom. . Balaam - New World Encyclopedia Perhaps most challengingly, the dream may reflect uncomfortable questions and feelings about God. Although I can fully understand the emotional contempt for ministers who live lavishly on an abuse of the tithing principle, the ONLY way this connection could be made is if the minister knows exactly what he is doing and is using ministry donations as a kind of fee to practice his get-rich scheme. Balak, aware that the Children of Israel have been blessed by God, hopes that a curse will allow the Moabites to be victorious in their battle against the Israelites. One of his prophecies even predicted the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ: Later, Moabite women seduced the Israelites into idolatry and sexual immorality, through the advice of Balaam. I need his supportive words for several reasons. And he said to them, Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me. So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. In Numbers 22:6, Balak says, "Come, curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me." Despite Balak's efforts, Balaam cannot curse the Israelites because God has blessed them. Furthermore, the Vulgate and Samaritan versions of Num 22:5 state to the land of the Ammonites instead of the land of his people, which further suggests an Ammonite origin and would preclude any connection to the Israelite people. Our tradition provides a framework for us to live in sacred community so that hopefully in prayer and relationship with our congregation and its leaders, we can find the meaning and the strength to approach life's challenges. 13-14), and taking a rod to draw water from a rock(Num. The Talmud also recounts that when the Law was given to Israel at Sinai, a mighty voice shook the foundations of the earth, so much so that all kings trembled. Shaharitis early for me. And for a young person to speak before the community! We need observersoutsidersreminding us, helping us see that what we are doing has significance. Balaam, like David, was a sinful man. For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. According to the Bible, Balaam the son of Beor was once a good prophet of God. A spiritual numbness develops. Leibowitz, in her commentary, points out that Maimonides, too, asserted in hisGuide to the Perplexedthat when the Torah reads, And God put a word in Balaams mouth, the words were, in essence, Gods words, and that God taught Balaam by rote, indicating that Balaam never believed for a moment his own words of blessing. What seals the deal for Rashi for making Balaam out to be the bad guy is that he is responsible (31:16) for encouraging the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men at Baal-peor. Balaam was apparently so upset about the delay that he didnt seem shocked at all that the donkey was able to speak, but rather answers it. Balaam is a prophet of Gd, a human being with a live connection with The Holy One, Blessed Be He. ", McCarter, P. Kyle.#page_scan_tab_contents "The Balaam Texts from Deir All: The First Combination. His story takes place near the end of the life of Moses. The spirit of God comes upon Balaam once more and he delivers a third positive prophecy concerning Israel: How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! Then the Lord opened the donkeys mouth (Numbers 22:28), and it complained to Balaam saying, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times? And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have abused me. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. That will tell you who they really are and who they really serve. Building another seven altars here, and making sacrifices on each, Balaam provides another prophecy blessing Israel, declaring: "There is no sorcery against Jacob, no divination against Israel.". Zavada, Jack. 21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. The etymology of his name is uncertain. Courtesy of Bruce K. Satterfield The Torah Portion of Balaam "Who wrote the Bible?" Also, as much as we see ourselves as the insiders to the experience (we are the minyan makers), we are, in fact, all outsiders to the experience. endobj ", An archaeological discovery in 1967 uncovered references to a. Balaam piously concludes that "God is not a man, that he should lie; nor a human, that he should repent," even though Balaam's whole career, with its twists and gyrations, has been . After offering fourteen sacrifices on seven altars, the false prophet opened his mouth and the following blessing came over Israel instead of a curse: How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? Numbers 22:21-39 NIV - Balaam's Donkey - Bible Gateway We may doubt our ability to make a difference, doubt that good will ever triumph. If you feel an answer is not 100% Bible based, then leave a comment, and we'll be sure to review it. Knowing how to access God was important for prophets because humans depended upon them to accurately convey the will of God. Thankfully, he was trumped by the God of Israel each time and instead spoke a blessing. Or is he a religious racketeer? Balaam had blessed Israel at the risk of his life in front of a powerful Moabite king, but was later killed by the Israelites whom he blessed. 2:14 we read of false teachers at Pergamum who adhered to the "teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 1. Was Balaam a Prophet of God? | Staley Family Ministries When hes shown up by his own donkey, he is revealed as a buffoonish parody of the humble and service-focused Moses. About UsContact UsPrayer RequestsPrivacy Policy, Latest AnswersBible LessonsBibleAsk LIVEOnline Bible. We are all sinners who deserve death, but the true believer is constantly striving to learn what the Father desires and is continually adjusting his life to that end. While condemned, it seems as if the Bible presents a mixed opinion. The one who was used to manipulating was now, himself, being manipulated. At first he was a mere interpreter of dreams, later becoming a magician, and finally a prophet of the true God. According to scholars, the etymology of his name either has the meaning of Bel is my kinsman or to swallow up, destroy. The latter reference would be alluding to the potency of his spells and execrations. When there is a prophet of Gd among the nations of the world, that is something unique. As a result, Elisha caused the Naamans leprosy to cling to Gehazi. However, a brief tour of biblical prophecy demonstrates that omens were sought in many different ways. It complains about Balaam's treatment, saying: "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" (Numbers 31:15-18). You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you. So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to come with us., Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. The publication and distribution of the JTS Commentary are made possible by a generous grant from Rita Dee and Harold (zl) Hassenfeld. As a soothsayer, he would say this about every god he was enchanting. xWnF}7Tsb'H[}HATVT$= !9!y?+lNJVd9me|oEI,|!FN !a4vp`fR,q0Zw;DFW/4 qA9Az\/gx[fOc-g-VKfZ)7"aZB"4{#CaSMWi{*yAX&a:aqX Who was Balaam in the Bible? - BibleAsk 3:10). While speaking animals are a common feature of folklore, the only other case in the Old Testament is that of the serpent in Eden. But Rabbi Yohanan, a 3rd-century sage from the land of Israel, is suspicious of Balaams blessings, so that when God put a word in Balaams mouth (23:5) to bless the Israelites, it was like a hook (BT Sanhedrin 105b). Recently, Moses has twice tried to follow Gods instructions, but to disastrous effect: sending spies to the Land(Num. Yahweh is simply expressing His full power on earth by showing how He can take someone who has the occultist skill to manipulate the fallen angels who have become gods and use that person to bless His own people. I see him, but not now; And Balaam said to Balak, 'Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.'. 1 Response Jewish historian Josephus speaks of Balaam as the best prophet of his time, but adds that he had a weakness in resisting temptation. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balaks message. But Balaam, intent on his assignment, doesn't notice the angel. Balaam sends back word that Yahweh will not allow him to go, as God has revealed to him via a nocturnal dream, that "these people are blessed" (Num. Balaam in the Bible was a non-Israelite prophet, or pagan seer, in the time of Moses. He wrote, Woe to them! Although he dwelled among idolaters, Balaam had knowledge of the God of Israel. Spam, Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist. And the spirit of God came upon him. Hirsch writes, The veil had been lifted from his eyes, as he began to realize that the will of God could not be influenced by means of sorcery. However, during the following night, God tells Balaam to go with them. Was he a prophet, a sorcerer, a saint, or a sinner? Joshua 13:22 The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor Or Bull El? It keeps veering off the path, so its owner keeps beating it. We are studying the life and "ministry" of Balaam to discover the pertinence of his life to our own lives. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Elsewhere, in the stories of both Jacob and Moses, the Yahwist portrays God as similarly obstructing His heroes. And so on. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. endobj We don't know why God was "angry when he went" (Number 20:22) but we can imagine God knows Balaam's ways. 5. Balaam, Part I (Numbers 22:1-35) | Bible.org Numbers 22:1-20 Saved? Or Lost? Balaam: Was He a Prophet of God? Unfortunately, when Balak sent for Balaam, he did not get the favorable prophecy he wished for. We want to be here for you on your journey towards our Fathers heart. Through Balaams life we can learn what a true prophet (minister) looks like. If the minister is telling people that they need to give to his ministry so that God can bless them financially when his heart intention is to simply become wealthy, this is the epitome of the doctrine of Balaam. 4. Anonymous, August 01 2014 So who was the real Balaam? We have mixed motives, we get full of ourselves, or we are seduced by money and power. Should I buy this house? 22:1, 25, andDeut. In Numbers 22:3 we learn that Israel had become numerous, which made the Midianites and Moabites nervous. While one might expect Balaam to be viewed positively by the Israelites for his brave and prophetic deeds on their behalf, such is not the case. It could means simply "The Lord's high place. The positive ending to the story (from Israel's perspective) emphasizes that divination is acceptable because it does not seek to alter the will of the Eternal; sorcery, on the other hand, is unacceptable as its aim is to manipulate God's word. Based on his interactions with God, we can assume he is a prophet. Seeing that the man was set on going God said to him, Go with them, but do only what I tell you (Numbers 22: 20). The sixth, Numbers 24:21-22, concerns the destruction of the Kenites by Assyria. Satan asked God if he could curse Job and God instructed him to only do what He allowed. Even though he knew Balak was God's enemy, he tried to sell his prophetic gifts to help him. God really speaks to him, and really inspires him. There can be no doubt that Balaams heart was to curse Israel. Even seemingly smaller dilemmas can be overwhelming without a clear best choice: How should I respond in this conflict with my spouse/child/boss? Was Balaam a prophet of God? The "J" or "Yahwist" source is more negative toward Balaam, while the "E," or Elohist source, is more positive. . He is a non-Israelite hailing from Trans-Jordan who curses and blesses people. endobj And he said, No (verses 28-30). [2] Balaam thus sets out on his donkey to go to Balak, but an angel tries to prevent him. (Numbers 22:13). Try, 7 Ideas For Creativity In Series Planning. a scepter will rise out of Israel. On the contrary, self-doubt and introspection are hallmarks of authentic service; we should worry, instead, if we ourselves (or our putative leaders)lacksuch doubts. 23:710, 1824; 24:39, 1524). Should I study tonight or go to the movies? The name Balaam means "devourer," "swallower up," or "glutton." Balam: Prophet, Sorcerer, Saint or Sinner? - Jewish Theological Seminary Balaam tried three times to get Yahweh to change His mind on the matter of cursing Israel, exposing his true heart. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed., So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. 'What great things God has done!' Numbers 24:14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come." who has knowledge from the Most High, Revelation 2:14 speaks of the doctrine of Balaam, which taught Balakto eat things sacrificed to idolsand to commit sexual immorality (NKJV). These statements against Balaam reveal that He loved gain from wrongdoing and counselled the wicked in how they could trip up the faithful. Most recently at this point, hes been experiencing frustration and disappointment in moving forward: literal roadblocks in the form of foreign kings refusing to let the Israelites pass, and the ultimate roadblockGod has said he will not enter the Promised Land(Num. Contemporary English Version The Israelites also killed Balaam the son of Beor, who had been a fortuneteller. Having heard God's instructions, Balaam told the king's messengers, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you" ( verse 13 ). would all say that this god is my god, regardless of how many gods they served. [5]. John the Revelator wrote, There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality (Revelation 2:14). Our next stop is the extra-biblical materials. Balaam | Catholic Answers And the angel said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? And God came to Balaam and said, Who are these men with you? And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. He is a wise man, and a prophet of God. Real Questions. He resists on the grounds that he must not disobey "Yahweh my God." Bible scholars point out the stark difference between the pagans and Jews:Magicians like Balaam were thought to appease their gods to gain control over them, while the Jews' prophets had no power of their own except as God worked through them. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Why, after blessing Israel so courageously, would he later seduce the Israelites into worshiping Baal? Judaism gives us a way to seek this guidance. We see many instances of divine communication with human beings in the Torah including (but not limited to) God's discussions with Adam, Abraham, and Moses; the guidance of Jacob through dreams; and Joseph's ability to interpret the dreams of others. PL^p`: nHzq~ 1A[&T\0|!|TD7!bLE~ak<=aEXYEJV'b:M=V8{21{,?Cc6je'n~nHD G0BI >ACX4[ZYj %^U j9|3sv8ts)Xo:6, So here, God seems inconsistent in dealing with Balaam, telling him to go forward, then being angry when he does. But not all biblical commentators side with Rashi. Balaam, acting as a mouthpiece for God, blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them. However, the term "Baal" did not necessarily refer to a specific deity. Encamped at Shittim, the Israelites commit sexual sin with the women of Moab and join them in worshiping the Baal of Peor, a deity named for one of the high places where Balaam had blessed Israel. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and defeated the Amorites, the neighboring nation of Moabites "was overcome with fear of the people of Israel" ( Numbers 22:3 ). God opens Balaam's eyes, and he sees the angel . In his occupation as a soothsayer or magician, Balaam was famous among the Midianite tribes, probably for his ability to predict the future. 3 0 obj The following are the top ten reasons why Balaam was not a true prophet of Israel: 10. And secondly, it shows that since God can even make an ass talk, he can easily put words in the mouth of a supposedly great but evil prophet like Balaam. Learn Religions. After several entreaties from Balak, along with permission from God and a stop along the way with Gods angel, Balaam ends his journey at a mountaintop, where he sees from a distance the Children of Israel encamped. The prophet assured them that what they heard was the voice of God, giving the sacred Law to the Israelites (Zeb. Moses, fed up, would have loved to curse his people, while Balaam, a non-Israelite, the one expected to curse Israel, ends up blessing them at an opportune time. The choshen mishpat contained the names of all twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:21). Meet Balaam, Pagan Seer and Magician. Thus, Balaam is held responsible for the Israelites' behavior during the "heresy of Peor," indirectly causing the death of 24,000 victims of the plague which God sent as punishment (San. God commands Moses to execute all the participants in this episode. He shows that He is not like other gods; He cannot be manipulated. (Num. Recently, I was talking to a good friend who is Christian. Know Before Whom You Stand Before You Judge, How to Avoid Getting Stuck in Balaks Trap. Rav Hisda said:A dream that is not interpretedis like a letter that is never read.(BTBerakhot 55a). And bear in mind, too, that Balaam's inspiration did not merely open his mouth to say wonderful words which he did not understand, but opened his heart to say righteous and wise things which he did understand. His disciples were distinguished by three morally corrupt qualities: an evil eye, a haughty bearing and an avaricious spirit (Ab. These references harken to King Balak's attempt to pay Balaam to curse his enemies (Israel). I would remind you that while Balaam is a false prophet, the words he speaks in our text are the words of God. When the Urim and Thummimwere cast, certain letters on the stones would be illuminated (see Babylonian Talmud, B'rachot 31b). Though Balaam is much-sought-after and well-paid, skilled at glib oration, he is but a mercenary seeking money and fame. In the Ahavat Olam prayer we say: Torah umitzvot, chukim umishpatim, otanu limad'ta , "You've taught us Torah and mitzvot, statutes and laws," in order to guide us. .^Fr2Q]xM)vdhY#,mwk;, 1. It was the task of the High Priest to decipher the letters to arrive at the (correct) answer. It concerns events happening outside the Israelite camp and seemingly unknown to them, characters weve not yet met, and a talking donkey. Is God restoring the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today? Why did God pronounce that women would suffer pain in childbirth. It is also worthy to note that the offerings Balaam makes are strikingly similar to the offerings made to Marduk and Shamash from the Babylonian text: seven sheep poured out on seven altars. Then, the Lord opened Balaams eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn (Numbers 22:31). document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Posted On Jul 3, 2015 / 5775 | Torah Commentary, Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious & Social Studies, Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI), Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), Ivriyon: Hebrew Immersion Institute for Day School Educators, Jewish Day School Standards and Benchmarks. Balak tried another attempt and took his prophet to the top of Peor. #526: 7 Leadership Lessons from A Prophet with Ulterior Motives Balak, king of Moab, having seen the multitudes of Israel, and fearing they would attack his country, sent for Balaam, who was famous for his supposed supernatural powers, to come and curse them. Balaam was one of many phony prophets of ancient eastern religions who worshiped and served the gods of the land. This is significant due to the fact that a qasam is, by definition, one who is seeking after the will of the gods, in an effort to learn their future action or divine blessing on some proposed future action (Strongs 7080-2). endstream <> I behold him, but not near. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. A true prophet would NEVER have gone to the high places of Baal worship in Moab to offer sacrifices to Yahweh. ^ Dreaming of Being Balaam - Jewish Theological Seminary In Numbers 22:3 we learn that Israel had become numerous, which made the Midianites and Moabites nervous. He does this at three different places: Bamoth-baal, (Numbers 22:41-23:9), Pisgah (Numbers 23:14-26), and Peor (Numbers 23:27-24:9). However, there are significant differences among them. Balaam in the Bible - Pagan Seer and Magician It appears that Balak should have hired a sorcerer, one who can change the will of God. Was Balaam a Prophet of God? Balaam wanted to do it for he loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15 also Jude 1:11). None of these references are positive; each leaves the distinct possibility that Balaam is forever marked as cursed. In Balaam's case, one needs to deal with the question of who might have recorded the prophecy he uttered in the presence of the Moabite king, and how it later came to be recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out. God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them. The term "LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh" (or Jehovah), and "God" is a rendering of "Elohim." "Yahweh" would probably be understood as the technical term for Israel's God. Or perhaps Moses identifies even more closely with the donkey, a mute creature made to speak by God, whose complaint of being mistreated reads perfectly as a fantasy dialogue between Moses and God after Moses has struck the rock: In other words, if the story of Balaam and Balak is actually Mosess dream, it is a dream emerging from a crisis of faith: faith in himself, in the people, in God and Gods ways, and in the ability of human beings to connect, understand, and serve.
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