We know little of Balaam’s background. Like a few others in the Bible story, he knew about the true God though not having a tangible connection with the called community of believers. Because of his residence in Mesopotamia, one is led to wonder if his family had any ties to those relatives of Abraham who had stayed behind when the patriarch journeyed toward Canaan (Gen. 22:20-22), and from whom Abraham later chose Rebekah to be the wife of his son Isaac (Gen. 24:4-15).
In her description of the encounter between Balaam and the ambassadors from Moab, the latter being sent by their king to enlist Balaam’s talents as a sorcerer against Israel, Ellen White speaks as follows regarding Balaam’s spiritual journey up till then:
Balaam was once a good man and a prophet of God; but he had apostatized, and had given himself up to covetousness; yet he still professed to be a servant of the Most High. He was not ignorant of God’s work in behalf of Israel; and when the messengers announced their errand, he well knew that it was his duty to refuse the rewards of Balak and to dismiss the ambassadors [##1|Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 439.##].
But sadly, we know how the story proceeded and how it ended. Balaam wanted the rich monetary reward promised by the Moabite king, and though an angel of God appeared to him and forbade him to go with the ambassadors and do as King Balak wanted (Num. 22:12), Balaam tried to persuade God to change His mind. Having sent the Moabite emissaries home the first time, Balaam conveyed the impression that he was simply holding out for a bigger reward. Accordingly “the king sent princes more in number and more honorable than the first, with promises of higher honors, and with authority to concede to any terms that Balaam might demand” [##2|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 440.##].
The servant of the Lord tells us what happened next:
A second time Balaam was tested. In response to the solicitations of the ambassadors he professed great conscientiousness and integrity, assuring them that no amount of gold and silver could induce him to go contrary to the will of God. But he longed to comply with the king’s request; and although the will of God had already been definitely made known to him, he urged the messengers to tarry, that he might further inquire of God; as though the Infinite One were a man, to be persuaded [##3|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 440.##].
God recognized Balaam’s stubbornness, and as He often does with those who persist in seeking their own way, He played along with the false prophet’s wishes while making clear that Heaven’s will would ultimately be done. In yet another nighttime communication, God declared to Balaam: “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).
We know the rest of the story. The Moabite ambassadors left the following morning without contacting Balaam, certain that he would give another negative answer. Ellen White speaks of how, “annoyed at his delay, and expecting another refusal, they set out on their homeward journey without further consultation with him” [##4|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 441.##]. The tale that follows is one familiar, dramatic, and pathetic—the covetous sorcerer waylaid by a talking donkey, Balaam’s thwarted attempt to curse Israel, his recognition that so long as Israel remained true to God, no curse against them would succeed, the calamitous Baal-peor conspiracy which engulfed Israel in idolatry and sexual immorality, the slaying of Israel’s apostates by plague and execution, and at last the death of Balaam in Israel’s punitive war against Moab and Midian (Num. 31:8).
So perished one who not only “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (II Peter 2:15), but who dared to prevail upon God to let him do as he pleased while leaving him content that he retained God’s approval while blatantly defying the stated divine will.
The Abuse of Prayer
The example of Balaam remains relevant to us today.
Balaam’s basic problem in his dealings with Moab was that “he did not seek to do the will of God, but chose his own course, and then endeavored to secure the sanction of the Lord” [##5|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 440.##]. Many today are doing the same thing. Ellen White’s narrative continues with the following warning:
There are thousands at the present day who are pursuing a similar course. They would have no difficulty in understanding their duty if it were in harmony with their inclinations. It is plainly set before them in the Bible or is clearly indicated by circumstances and reason. But because these evidences are contrary to their desires and inclinations they frequently set them aside and presume to go to God to learn their duty. With great apparent conscientiousness they pray long and earnestly for light. But God will not be trifled with. He often permits such persons to follow their own desires and to suffer the result [##6|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 441.##].
The modern prophet then offers the following timeless admonition:
When one clearly sees a duty, let him not presume to go to God with the prayer that he may be excused from performing it. He should rather, with a humble, submissive spirit, ask for divine strength and wisdom to meet its claims [##7|——Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 441.##].
Elsewhere she writes:
There are conditions to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. “If ye love Me,” Christ says, “keep My commandments” [##8|——Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143.##].
How many of us have sat on committees in which the unfitness for church office on the part of certain ones has been clear on account of doctrinal or behavioral disregard for the counsel of God by such persons, only to have committee members urge that prayer be offered for the purpose of learning what God would have them do. How many desiring to connect in marriage with an unbeliever presume to entreat God for guidance, all the while knowing that the written Word utterly forbids such alliances (Deut. 7:3; II Cor. 6:14-16). Many other examples could be cited.
Conclusion
Far, far too many of us neglect the hour of prayer. But let us not presume to make prayer a tool for manipulating God. In Ellen White’s words: “Prayer is not intended to work any change in God; it brings us into harmony with God” [##9|——Messages to Young People, p. 248.##]. To employ the privilege of prayer as a means to achieve our own way at the expense of God’s will, is to invite the fate of the pretended prophet whose covetous spirit led him to disregard the clearest divine guidance, and who at last met his fate through the sword of those he had sought to curse.
REFERENCES
1. Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 439.
2. Ibid, p. 440.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid, p. 441.
5. Ibid, p. 440.
6. Ibid, p. 441.
7. Ibid.
8. ----Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143.
9. ----Messages to Young People, p. 248.
Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan