Prophet Balaam Old Testament. The mysterious story of Valaam and his donkey

142), in the Pentateuch - a soothsayer from the city of Pefor (Ptor) or Fafur, on the Upper Euphrates, called, according to the biblical narrative, by the king of Moab, Balak, to curse the Israelites, encamped in the steppes of Transjordan against Jericho and preparing to enter the Promised Land. The name of Balaam's father is Veor.

Plot

According to the biblical story, the king Valak* learned that the Jews had exterminated the Amorites. In order to save his people - the Moabites from extermination by the Jews, Balak decided to resort to the help of the soothsayer Balaam. Balak believed that if Balaam cursed the Jews, then his people would defeat the Jews in a future battle. When Balaam went to Balak, Balaam's donkey saw an angel standing on the road with a drawn sword, and spoke to Balaam, after which he himself saw the angel. At the command of God, Balaam did not curse the Israelites, but blessed them three times, predicting their victory over their enemies (Num.). Balaam was killed by the Israelites during the extermination of the Midianites (Num.).

Initially, the Jews did not intend to attack the Midianites since they were the descendants of Abraham. The conflict came out actually because of Balaam. Although he cursed all those present at the feast, he then gave friendly advice to Balak - to corrupt Israeli men with the help of women (so that the God of Israel would turn away from the chosen people). The war (the prophecy of Balaam about which the Midianites themselves did not bode well) began precisely because of his provocation. According to Balaam's plan, the Midianite women invited the Jews to the towns of Moab (mainly for some holidays) and dealt with them in all sorts of criminal cases under Israeli law (idolatry, adultery, etc.). However, this plan did not go as planned. Having killed 24 thousand Israelites, God suddenly ordered to start a war with Moab, and after his conquest, he additionally ordered the destruction of all captives deprived of virginity (an exceptional case in the history of the war for Canaan).

Prediction

His prediction is among the Old Testament prophecies about Christ:

These are the words of Balaam, looking from the mountain at the Jewish people, about the “Descendant” of this people (the messiah), who is called the “star” and the “rod”. Balaam predicts the defeat of the princes of Moab and the descendants of Seth who invited him, implying here the crushing of the forces of evil that are taking up arms against the Kingdom of the Messiah.

Mention in the New Testament

Balaam is mentioned three times in the New Testament (including in the Revelation of John the Theologian) as an example of a person who is inclined to commit crimes against God and people for unrighteous retribution (2 Pet., Jude., Rev.).

Rabbinic interpretation

Inscription from Deir Alla

In 1967, in the hill of Deir Alla in the east of the Jordan Valley, a Dutch expedition led by Professor Henk Franken (Henk J. Franken) during the excavation of an ancient temple discovered plaster with an inscription in early Aramaic, first published in 1976. The text refers to the soothsayer Balaam. Reconstruction by André Lemaire:

Inscription of Laam, [son of Beo]rov, a man who was a God-seer. Behold, the gods came to him at night, and [spoke to] him according to these words, and they said to [Valaa]m, the son of Beor, thus: “Behold, the last flame has appeared, the fire of punishment has appeared!” And Balaam got up the next day [… a few?] days […] and he could not eat, and he wept a lot. And his people came to him and said to Balaam son of Beor, “Why don’t you eat anything and why are you crying?” And he said to them: “Sit down! I will show you how great [a disaster!], and go, see the deeds of the gods! cloud! Let there be darkness and nothing shining […? ...], it will cause horror for you [cloudy] darkness, and you will never make a noise, but [in your place?] swift, bat, eagle and pel[kan], vultures, ostrich and a[ist and] young falcons, and an owl, chickens of a heron, a dove, a bird of prey, a dove and a sparrow, [each bird is heavenly], and [on earth] below, in the place where the [shepherd's] staff led the sheep, hares eat 10. chenno free [but ...]

Notes

If this story seems mysterious to you, then you are not alone. Even before we get to the meeting with talking animals, the question arises: why does the sorcerer speak to God and listen to Him? Doesn't it go without saying that the Magi de facto along with the enemy side? Why does God appear to change his thoughts about whether Baalam should go or not? And not once, but four times? Why is this person, who seemingly intends to be obedient to God, depicted as a negative character, even in the New Testament (2 Pet. 2:15, Jude 1:11)?

This story has amazing parts - Balaam ends his speech by proclaiming a serious powerful prophecy. Chapters 22-25 of the book of Numbers are filled with amazing Torah riddles just waiting to be unraveled.

History of Valaam

The people of Israel, overcoming fatigue, overcome the difficult path from Egypt and come closer to the Promised Land. They very politely ask to pass through the possessions of the Edomites and then the Amorites, but in both cases they are refused, and then they are attacked. Despite this, the Israelis defend and win, after which they seize territory. And so, having inadvertently taken possession of the territory of the Edomites and Amorites, the people of Israel are moving on. The king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, sees them approaching him and panics. He thinks he knows what might work in this case...there is a magician named Balaam who is on close terms with the gods...perhaps he can come and curse the Israelites? Balak sends his most senior people with a fabulous sum as a gift to find out if Balaam is ready for such a challenge. And this is where the story starts to get confusing.

Balaam is a well-known sorcerer, and witchcraft is forbidden by God. However, it seems that he is quite sure that he hears God and would like to do what God says. And God tells Balaam not to go because the people of Israel are meant to be blessed, not cursed. So Balaam obeys - refuses to go to Balak, and assures his people that he is not interested in money.

Although they might be interested.

When Balak again sends even more senior people with an even more tempting offer, it seems that the ploy has succeeded, because Balaam again comes to God to verify the answer: Are you sure I can't go with them? And, oddly enough, God seemed to relent. He gives Balaam permission to go, but only say what He told him. So Balaam sets off with permission. But then he is stopped on the way by none other than the Angel of the Lord, and his donkey refuses to budge and even explains why. Words. This whole situation is clearly out of the ordinary and should really be a warning to all concerned. If you really want to know what God thinks about such undertakings, then here is the answer.

Valaam says: “Well, if You don’t want me to go, I won’t go”, but God, in a strange and contradictory way, gives him permission to continue. What is this? What does God mean: to go or not to go?

Balaam meets with Balak, but fails to curse Israel, and instead blesses them three times in a row, with amazing blessings as well.

Something to scratch your head

The key to this saga will be the verse of Numbers. 23:19:

“God is not a man to lie to Him, and not a son of man to change Himself. Will he say and not do? will speak and not do?”

On the one hand, it would seem that God changed his mind (several times in a row), but on the other hand, if we look at what God said from the very beginning, we will see that He was consistent to the end.

At the very beginning, God's words to Balaam were:

“Do not go with them, do not curse this people, for they are blessed.” (Num. 22:12)

This is God's original statement: the people of Israel are not meant to be cursed, but to be blessed. God intends to protect Israel from curses and all kinds of witchcraft, and will do anything to keep them blessed. This is His decree and He will not back down. Not once do we see Him hesitate or fail to do so. He guards Israel from curses and malicious pronouncements, and keeps their blessings, and guards them at all times. He said it, promised it, and made sure everything was done according to His word.

BUT STILL. Yet… there is the issue of free will. That is why Balaam was running back and forth. God revealed His heart, His intentions and His will to Balaam, but still He gives him permission and freedom to act against His will.

So far so good. But what about the donkey that the angel detained? Was it right for Balaam to continue on his way or not? But what about Balaam's concessions and offers to return?

I think God shows not only Balaam, but also the reader (you and me) what He expects in this situation and what He thinks about it. He's not happy. Balaam understands everything, understands that it is necessary to return, but doesn't really want to do it. That's the whole point.

Our desires are extremely important to God

God will not violate our freedom, and He will take into account our choice. But He has desires, preferences, feelings, and goals, and He will share them with us and invite us to join Him. But will not put pressure on us. He gives us permission to go our own way and do as we see fit, but rest assured that nothing will interfere with the fulfillment of the original thoughts, plans and purposes of God.

Balaam's desire to go for his reward was accepted, but ultimately the people of Israel were blessed, not cursed, just as God had said in the beginning. God creates opportunities for our choices, but He will not allow us to trample on His all-encompassing purposes. Even the story of Ishmael and Isaac shows us that God will do exactly what He intended to do in the very beginning anyway. He did not deviate from the intended path. He's working hard on Plan A.

Balaam pretended to obey and obey, but his actions show that he doesn't really care much about the revelation of God's heart. He is not on God's side. God revealed to him what He thinks and feels, but Balaam does not share God's attitude towards the people of Israel. He cares about cash. He is interested in the will of God only in words, he does not want to go back. He does not care about the fate of Israel.

This story shows us the extraordinary interplay between God's sovereignty and our free will in the universe.

If Balaam had rightly accepted what God had told him from the very beginning ( I love Israel and I want to protect them and give them only good), then he wouldn't have to double check if it's okay to go and curse them. Such petty go/no go debates are laughable if we listen to God's original statement. Balaam was waiting for permission from God, but God does not need grouchy obedience, He wants us to agree and unite with His will.

In certain situations, making decisions and knowing God's will can make us feel tense, but often we already know God's purposes and His heart. Are we really paying attention to what He has already said? Until we get completely confused about what to do and what not to do, maybe we should do our best to find out what God cares about?

Despite all God's protection of Israel from supernatural evil, Balaam showed the King of Moab how he could trick the people of Israel into idolatry (Num. 31:16), and this led to a problem, because God did not cancel the free will. Yet, some amazing statements came from the lips of Balaam, and the miracle of the changed curse was recorded in history as a miracle and a sign of God's greatest blessing (Josh. 13, 24, Neh. 13).

Our freedom to make choices comes at a cost to God. Freedom is a costly thing, any veteran will tell you. It cost God the life of His only begotten Son, our Messiah Yeshua. But without freedom there is no love. In His love, God will not take away our freedom, and He will allow us to make the wrong choice. This is the price He is willing to pay. But the desire of His heart is that we freely agree with His will, that our hearts grow in unity with His heart.

“Guide me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth; establish my heart in the fear of your name.” (Ps. 86:11)

God's purposes for Israel take precedence over all

God intended to keep Israel, not only because He loved them (although He still loves them very much), but also because it was thanks to Israel that He came to earth as the Messiah and made salvation for everyone - both Jews and and for the pagans. Balaam unwittingly proclaims these Messianic prophecies:

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“Bowed down, lying like a lion and like a lioness, who will lift him up? He who blesses you is blessed, and he who curses you is cursed!” (Num. 24:9)

“I see Him, but not yet; I see Him, but not close. A star rises from Jacob and a scepter rises from Israel…” (Num. 24:17)

The Messiah who was to come was a seed from the people of Israel, so jealously guarded by God. The parallel with Jacob's blessing to Judah is unmistakable. We often use this story to tell you that God can use anyone to proclaim His word, even a donkey! But we also see that He used both the corrupt sorcerer Balaam - which in itself is a great miracle - and the people of Israel, known for their cruelty.

God will accomplish all His purposes for Israel and for the world, and He will not pressure anyone against their will. But He would like to share with us what is in His heart, and invites us to join Him in His work on this earth. The work on God's promises to Abraham continues, and Israel will return to their deliverer, whether they be proclaimed blessings or curses. God made a choice to do His work through Israel, and He is not one who uses people and then abandons them - His love and care for Israel continues to this day. Every word of God's plans and purposes for Israel will come to pass, just as He said.

In Russian toponymy, there are enough names with a mysterious etymology. The names are bright, juicy, which literally sparkle with meanings. Some meanings are amusing, others are embarrassing, and others are alarming.

Fortunately, the recipient, who has fallen into the macabric whirlpool of meanings, will certainly come to the aid of linguists and be reassured. It turns out that the toponym that inspires fear in the Russian ear is of Finno-Ugric origin and has a safe meaning. Russian linguists-decoders of toponyms seem to have an unspoken rule - "What cannot be deciphered is of Finnish origin"

The toponym "Balaam" is not capable of confusing people who are unfamiliar with the Old Testament. Rounded, somewhat dense, the sound of this word exudes, if not calmness, then a neutral mood. Perhaps only the final "-am" carries a slight affect - as if the toponym, as if the serpent Ouroboros, having contrived, wants to absorb its ending.

Connoisseurs of the Old Testament can view "Balaam" from a completely different angle: for this they just need to remember the milestones of the namesake of the island - the Moab sorcerer Balaam.

So, the book of Numbers. The Jews, having left Egypt, encamped on the way to the Promised Land "in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan, against Jericho." The local king Valak is in a panic. True, he has a powerful weapon - the magician Valaam ...

“And he sent messengers to Balaam, the son of Beor, in Pefor, which is on the river Euphrates, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him and say: Behold, the people have come out of Egypt and covered the face of the earth, and they dwell beside me; so come, curse this people for me, for they are stronger than me: perhaps then I will be able to strike them and drive them out of the earth; I know that whom you bless is blessed, and whom you curse is cursed."

However, after listening to the messengers of the Moab king, Baal took a break - he said that he needed to consult with God. The Almighty did not allow - "do not go with them, do not curse this people, for he is blessed," and the sorcerer sent the ambassadors home. But Balak did not let up; soon a new embassy appeared before Balaam offering great honors to the magician. He again turns to the Lord, and the Almighty allows him. True, with the condition that Baalam can only set off on his journey if the ambassadors come to him again with a request, and most importantly, “do what I will tell you.”

And the sorcerer trembled: without waiting for the third embassy, ​​he equips the donkey and goes to Balak. An angel with a sword blocks his way. But only the donkey of Baalam sees the angel. The magician beat the animal (even a touching dialogue takes place between them) until the Lord “opened the eyes of Balaam”, and he saw an angel with a sword.

As a result, the Lord allows the magician to go to Valak. True, the Almighty takes a promise from Balaam - "just say what I will say to you."

The king of Moab carefully prepared for the curse ceremony that Balaam was to perform. However, instead of great corruption, Balaam blessed the Jewish people three times - “Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you!” For Moab it was all over - "And Balaam got up and went back to his place, and Balak also went his way."

It would seem that the Moab priest deserved to be included in the assembly of the Old Testament righteous, but from further narration we learn that Balaam died from the sword of an Israeli warrior, and his whole family was exterminated ... For what? Shortly before the execution, the magician allegedly advised the women of Moab to corrupt the Israeli soldiers and thereby provoke the wrath of the Almighty against the Jews.

Balaam and Balak

And Balaam went with the princes of Balakov.

Balak, hearing that Balaam was coming, went out to meet him in the city of Moab, which is on the very border.

And Balaam said to Balak:

So, I came to you, but can I tell you anything from myself? Whatever God puts in my mouth, I will speak.

Send Balaam with Balak to Kiriath-Chutzof. There Balak slaughtered oxen and sheep, and arranged a barbecue for Balaam and the princes who were with him.

On the next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the heights of Baal, so that he could see a part of the people of Israel from there.

Balaam said to Balak:

Build here seven altars and prepare for me seven bullocks and seven rams.

Balak did everything as Balaam told him.

And now, - said Balaam, - wait at your burnt offering, and I will go with God to indulge, maybe he will reveal something to me.

Met on an elevated place Valaam with God.

The details of that meeting are unknown, but the outcome was clear. Descending from the mountain, Balaam spoke his parable:

Balak, king of Moab, brought me from Mesopotamia and asked: “Curse Jacob for me, come, speak evil against Israel!”

How can I curse? God does not curse him. How can I speak evil? The Lord speaks no evil against him. And with such patronage, the sons of Israel will crush anyone you like!

Here, people, how the lioness rises and how the lion rises. It will not lie down until it has eaten prey and drunk the blood of the slain.

And Balaam got up and went back to his place, and Balak - not salty bread - also went his own way.

Chapter 40 BALAAM This chapter is based on the Book of Numbers 22-24 ch. After conquering Bashan and returning to the Jordan to prepare for an immediate invasion of Canaan, the Israelites encamped by the river, not far from where it flows into the Dead Sea, just opposite the Jericho