Balaam and Balak: Proximity Does Not Equal Faithfulness
The story of Balaam and Balak is found in Numbers 22-24. This unusual narrative teaches us many practical lessons that are still relevant in today’s culture. Today, we’ll recap the story of Balaam and Balak and draw some lessons for our lives.
I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you create space for connecting with God daily.
Let’s begin with a quick review of the story of Balaam and Balak.
Balaam and Balak
As the Israelites journeyed toward the Promised Land, King Balak of Moab became frightened by them. Not wanting to confront them in battle, he sent messengers with money to hire a prophet named Balaam to curse Israel.
Balaam was not an Israelite, but he was known for effective curses.
God spoke to Balaam, saying, “Do not curse them because they are blessed.”
Balaam sent this message back to King Balak; however, after repeated requests from Balak, Balaam conceded. He followed the messengers to meet with Balak and curse Israel.
On the journey, an angel of the Lord blocked the road. Balaam couldn’t see the angel, but his donkey saw the angel and refused to budge.
As Balaam beat the donkey, the donkey opened its mouth and spoke to Balaam. Balaam’s eyes were opened, and he saw the angel. The angel commanded him to speak only what God told him to say.
When Balaam eventually reached Balak, they stood on a hill overlooking the huge group of Israelites (the camp was 12-by-12-miles). Three times, Balak asked Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam refused, blessing Israel according to God’s command. These prophecies declared that Israel was chosen and protected by God.
In his final prophecy, Balaam said, “A star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” This was a prophecy about the coming Messiah, and it was fulfilled in Jesus.
Balaam’s Story
Later, Scripture reveals that Balaam eventually advised the Moabites to seduce Israel into idolatry and immorality. His leadership led many people into sin. Balaam was ultimately killed in a battle with the Israelites.
Balaam had true prophetic ability and authentic encounters with God. At the same time, he was filled with greed. Second Peter 2:15 says Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” Jude 1:11 refers to those who “rush for profit into Balaam’s error.”
Balaam’s error was greed-driven compromise.
He put on a religious front, but his heart was filled with greed for the reward money.
Let’s look at some lessons from the story of Balaam and Balak.
Lessons from Balaam and Balak
Our motives are important to God.
God knew Balaam had mixed motives. He put on a religious front, but he was greedy for the reward from Balak.
We cannot serve both God and selfish ambition.
Jesus later drew this line when he pointed out that we cannot serve both God and money. No one can have two masters.
Balaam put on a false front of serving God, but his motives were mixed.
Ungodly compromises lead to destruction.
Balaam ultimately led the Moabites to seduce God’s people. His discipline was harsh. He was killed by the Israelites in battle.
God uses unlikely vessels to convey his messages.
Balaam was a diviner who called on the God of Israel as well as pagan gods for his oracles. Despite this syncretism, God spoke to him and through him. This reminds us that God uses unlikely people to convey his messages.
Our spiritual gifts are wasted when our hearts are unfaithful to God.
Balaam wanted money more than he wanted to honor God. He obeyed God by blessing Israel, but he ultimately disobeyed God by leading the Moabites to seduce the Israelites.
Proximity to God does not equal faithfulness.
Balaam had proximity to God, but he was not faithful to God.
This should be a lesson for us all to consider today. We can go to church and go through the religious motions of Christianity without being faithful to God.
Faithfulness to God requires obedience in every area of our lives, not just certain areas or public areas. Above all else, God wants a relationship with each of us. He wants us to draw near to him in love, and he will transform our lives through our relationship with him.
Disappointing roadblocks can be God’s protection.
We learn this lesson from Balaam’s donkey.
The angel would have killed Balaam if he had continued moving forward. Balaam was frustrated with his donkey, but the donkey was a roadblock from God, protecting Balaam from danger.
I’ve learned that many of my life’s greatest rejections and disappointments were actually God’s form of protection.
If these reflections on Balaam and Balak blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free devotional eBooks below. May you follow God wholeheartedly!
Read here for seven lessons from Balaam and Balak in the Bible. God seeks those whose hearts are faithful. #faith #faithful Share on XCalling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Be Still and Trust: Download Your Free eBook Here
Do you long to find space to draw near to God while struggling to make this practice a regular part of your life? The secret is establishing a daily rhythm that makes this time habitual, a routine that becomes as natural as eating, drinking, and sleeping. Be Still and Trust offers daily devotions for those who long for rest and renewal—devotions for peace in our hurried and stress-filled lives.
These short devotions are invitations into God’s rest when facing the daily battles that tend to steal our peace. Download it for free right here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
