Introduction⤒🔗

“I talked to God this morning,” writes Marilyn, a morning talk show hostess and T.V. reporter.

“As I combed my hair before the studio mirror I said, ‘I know You don’t approve of this, but I’m going to do it anyway!’”

“This” was an interview Marilyn was about to conduct, one that would compromise her values and ethics. Now, as she prepared to go on the air and do this interview, she tells God, “I know You don’t approve of this, but I’m going to do it anyway!”¹

In the passage of Scripture before us we meet a man who said the same thing to God: I know You don’t approve of this, but I’m going to do it anyway!

Two people, a contemporary T.V. personality and an ancient mysterious soothsayer, who knew that God said “No” to what they wanted to do, but they went ahead and did it anyway.

What do you do when God says, “No?”

What we learn from this passage of Scripture is that when you pursue your own way, despite the LORD’s objection, you do so to your own detriment, and even to your own destruction if you persist. Do not resist the LORD, because it is self-defeating and it can even be self-destructive.

Do Not Resist the LORD, by Seeking to Exploit Your Relationship with Him←⤒🔗

This man, Balaam, is one of the most mysterious figures to be found in the Old Testament. He comes from the mysterious east, the land of the Babylonian magi, but he is acquainted with the LORD. Whenever he refers to the God of heaven he almost always uses God’s covenant name, “the LORD” (“Jehovah”).

Balaam is a man who has some connection with the true and living God. He knows God by His covenant name. He speaks with God and God speaks with him; Balaam receives divine revelations from God Himself.

Balaam is a man who had some power from God. Balak testifies, “I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed” (Num. 22:6b). Balaam is able to administer the divine blessing and enforce the divine curse of which the LORD first spoke to Abram: “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and by you shall all the peoples of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).

Balaam is a man who had some respect and reverence for God. When Balak’s messengers arrive with their request, Balaam seeks the LORD’s counsel (Num. 22:8). Balaam initially turns the messengers away because, as he explains, “The LORD refuses to give me permission to go with you” (Num. 22:13). Then, when Balak sends his princes to Balaam, Balaam advises him, “I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God” (Num. 22:18). Either out of reverence for God or from an awareness of God’s sovereign control, Balaam is conscious that he is somehow bound by God’s will: “Balaam replied to Balak, ‘Now I have come to you; but am I able to say anything I wish? The word that God puts into my mouth, that is what I must speak’” (Num. 22:38).

Then, too, Balaam desires to share in the inheritance of the LORD’s people, as is evident from his utterance: “Who can count the dust that is Jacob, or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like his!” (Num. 23:10)

Balaam was also a man who presumed upon his relationship with the LORD; he sought to take advantage of that spiritual relationship for his own ends and purposes. Balaam apparently heard of the mighty works the LORD performed on behalf of Israel and he sought an acquaintance with the Lord—for the purpose of furthering his career as a soothsayer? A common belief among the pagan peoples was that “the spiritual man” was able to tap into supernatural power and employ it for his own purposes.² In his acquaintance with the LORD, Balaam discovered that he had tapped into the ultimate source of supernatural power, and he would eventually discover that it is a power that cannot be manipulated or exploited.

Do not resist the LORD, by seeking to exploit your relationship with Him.

Don’t seek to do so by taking advantage of His tender mercies and the Father/child relationship He has established with those who believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us bear in mind the warning of the Apostle Peter:

¹⁷And if you call upon the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, live your remaining time [on earth] in fear, ¹⁸knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life handed down from your forefathers—not by perishable things, such as silver or gold, ¹⁹but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or defect, [the blood] of Christ. 1 Pet. 1:17­-19

Don’t do so by presuming upon His long-suffering and patient forbearance. Let us heed the warning of the Apostle Paul:

...do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? ⁵But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself on the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. Rom. 2:4-5

Do Not Resist the LORD, When He Has Made Clear His Will←⤒🔗

When Balak’s messengers arrive and explain their mission to Balaam, he informs them that he must find out what the LORD has to say (Num. 22:8). When he consults with the LORD, Balaam gets a very clear answer from God: “God said to Balaam, ‘You shall not go with them; you shall not curse these people, for they are blessed’” (Num. 22:12).

But when it appears that Balaam is going to forfeit a lucrative soothsaying contract because the LORD told him not to accompany these princes back to Moab, Balaam seeks further revelation on this subject (Num. 22:19). He says to the messengers, “Please stay here tonight, so that I may find out what else the LORD will say to me” (Num. 22:19).

There now follows a very intriguing interaction between the LORD and Balaam. The LORD “allows” Balaam to accompany the princes back to Moab (Num. 22:20). Knowing the desire and intent of Balaam’s heart, the LORD is beginning to release Balaam from their relationship and allow him to pursue his own way. Compare this present instance with the description of sinful mankind given by the Apostle Paul: “since they refused to acknowledge God in their thinking, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper” (Rom. 1:28).

Although the LORD “allowed” Balaam to go, we are told, “God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as an adversary against him” (Num. 22:22). Three times He blocks Balaam’s way. Here is both an initial act of judgment and a final act of mercy. In effect, God is saying to Balaam, “I told you not to go, yet you insist on going. Now I’m letting you have your way, but I want you to see what is going to be the result: I will be your Adversary.” Note the warning issued by the Apostle James: “You adulterous people, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4).

When the LORD opens Balaam’s eyes, he sees the angel of the LORD and hears Him say: “Listen; I have come as an adversary, because what you are doing is contrary to [my will]” (Num. 22:31-32). Verse thirty-four records Balaam’s response: “I have sinned. I did not realize that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now, therefore, if it is displeasing to you, I will go back.” Despite his pious words, what Balaam really means is this: ‘I know You don’t approve of this, but I’m going to do it anyway.” Now the LORD lets him go: releasing him from any kind of potentially saving relationship and friendship that existed between them (Num. 22:35).

When the LORD opens Balaam’s eyes, he sees the angel of the LORD and hears Him say: “Listen; I have come as an adversary, because what you are doing is contrary to [my will]” (Num. 22:31-32). Verse thirty-four records Balaam’s response: “I have sinned. I did not realize that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now, therefore, if it is displeasing to you, I will go back.” Despite his pious words, what Balaam really means is this: ‘I know You don’t approve of this, but I’m going to do it anyway.” Now the LORD lets him go, releasing him from any kind of potentially saving relationship and friendship that existed between them: “The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, Go with the men, but you shall only speak the word that I speak to you. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak” (Num. 22:35). Even though He has released Balaam to his sinful desires, and ultimate judgment, the LORD will, nevertheless, still accomplish His good purpose through Balaam.

When on two occasions Balaam fails to receive a word of curse from the LORD that he may pronounce against Israel (Num. 23:1-12 and Num. 23:13-25), on the third occasion he does not even seek a word from the LORD: “When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to enchantments as at the other times, but turned his face towards the wilderness” (Num. 24:1). Apparently, Balaam was simply going to pronounce his own curse against Israel, whether or not it would be effective, so as not to forfeit the reward promised by Balak. But, according to verse two, “the Spirit of God came upon him” and compelled him to pronounce yet another word of blessing upon Israel. God prevented Balaam from achieving his purpose and realizing his ambition, and used Balaam in spite of himself to accomplish His divine purpose.

Being totally frustrated in his attempts to pronounce a curse against Israel, but still determined to get the reward offered by Balak, Balaam resorts to a different tactic. Balaam counsels Balak to seduce Israel, (by inviting them to join Moab in an idolatrous orgy), and thereby provoke the LORD’s righteous anger against Israel: The Moabites “caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit a trespass against the LORD...and so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD” (Num. 31:16). Because Balaam had given this counsel to Balak, the LORD commanded Israel to execute Balaam when they carried out His righteous judgment against Moab: “They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man ⁸They also executed Balaam son of Beor with the sword” (Num. 31:7-8).

Do not resist the LORD, when He has made clear His will. On the contrary, let us heed His counsel and submit unto His will:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. ⁹Do not be like the horse or the mule, that have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. ¹⁰Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts him.Psl. 32:8-10

Note: The horse is known for being head-strong and self-willed, and the mule is known for being stubborn.

...the wages of sin is death. Rom. 6:23a

Do Not Resist the LORD, by Pursuing Deluded Ambitions←⤒🔗

When the elders of Moab came to Balaam they did not come empty-handed, they came with “the fee for divination in their hand” (Num. 22:7).

When Balaam informed these elders that the LORD had refused to grant him permission to go with them, Balak did not take “No” for an answer. He sent another contingent of princes to Balaam, more in number and greater in position (Num. 22:15). He was seeking to impress Balaam with what he had to offer him for his services. Balak exhorts Balaam, “Please let nothing prevent you from coming to me [not even the commandment of God]; ¹⁷for I will greatly honor you” (Num. 22:16-17).

When Balaam finally arrives in Moab, Balak scolds him for his delay and asks, “Am I not, indeed, able to honor you?” (Num. 22:37) Balak is exhorting Balaam not to doubt that he, as the king of Moab, is able to make good his promise and give him a great reward for his service.

When Balaam utterly fails in his efforts to pronounce a curse against Israel, Balak furiously exclaims: “Now, therefore, leave at once and go home! I intended to bestow great honor upon you, but the LORD has held you back from honor!” (Num. 24:11)

Apparently, Balaam believed Balak’s satanic lie and that is why he offered his counsel that Moab should seduce Israel into idolatry and immorality. Balaam was deluded into thinking that the things Balak offered him were worth the price of disobedience to God.

Do not resist the LORD, by pursing deluded ambitions.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Prov. 14:12

The LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. ¹²O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you. Psl. 84:11-12

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Balaam is a man who knew that God said “No” to what he wanted to do, but he went ahead and did it anyway—and paid the price.

What we learn from Balaam’s life is that when you pursue your own way, despite the LORD’s objection, you do so to your own detriment, even to your own destruction if you persist.

What will you do when God says “No?”

Will you respond like Balaam? or will you respond like Christ? Note Matthew 26:39, “My Father, if it be possible, may this cup be taken from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What does Balak desire Balaam to do for Moab? See Num. 22:5-6 What does Balaam inform Balak upon receiving his request? See Num. 22:8a What answer does God give Balaam? See Num. 22:12; note, also, Deut. 23:5 What assurance does this provide for us as Christians? Note Rom. 8:28,

[Balak] sent messengers to summon Balaam the son of Beor...He said, A people have come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and are encamped next to me. ⁶Now, therefore, please come and curse these people for me, because they are too powerful for me. [If you curse them], I might then succeed in defeating them and driving them out of the land... Num. 22:5-6

[Balaam] said to them, 'Spend the night here, and I will bring back to you the answer the LORD gives me.' So the Moabite princes stayed with Balaam. Num. 22:8

God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse these people, for they are blessed.' Num. 22:12

...the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Deut. 23:5

And we know that to them that love God, all things work together for good, to them that are called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:28

2. When Balak tries a second time to persuade Balaam to curse Israel, how does Balaam respond? See Num. 22:18-19 How does Balaam refer to the LORD in verse 18? But what does his behavior reveal to us about his commitment to the LORD? Does he not know the LORD’s will (vs. 12)? Like Balaam, do you seek “a second opinion” from God when His clearly specified will is not to your liking? Note Lk. 6:46,

Balaam answered Balak’s servants, 'Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, either adding to it or subtracting from it.¹⁹Now, therefore, please stay here tonight, so that I may find out what else the LORD will say to me. 'Num. 22:18-19

And why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do the things that I say? Lk. 6:46

3. Despite what had God previously told Balaam (vs. 12), what does He now instruct Balaam to do? See Num. 22:20 How would you explain this? Because of Balaam’s lack of commitment to Him, is God now beginning to give Balaam over to his sinful desires? Note Rom. 1:28 In light of this sobering spiritual reality, how should we as Christians pray? Note Psl. 19:13; Psl. 119:133,

God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 'If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. But you shall only do what I tell you.' Num. 22:20

And even as they did not approve to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over...to do those things that are not fitting... Rom. 1:28

Also keep your servant back from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me...Psl. 19:13

Direct my steps by your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Psl. 119:133

4. How does God react when Balaam sets out on his endeavor to curse Israel in compliance with Balak’s request? See Num. 22:22 How does God describe Himself in relation to Balaam, and why does He take this posture against Balaam? See Num. 22:32; note, also, Jas. 4:4 How is God’s expression of anger towards Balaam an expression of mercy toward him? In His mercy, what warning does God give us? See Gal. 6:7-8,

God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as an adversary against him. Num. 22:22

The angel of the LORD said to him, 'Listen; I have come as an adversary, because what you are doing is contrary to [my will]. Num. 22:32

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend with the world makes himself an enemy of God. Jas. 4:4

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked: whatever a man sows, he will also reap. ⁸The man who sows to please his sinful nature, shall reap destruction from the sinful nature; but the man who sows to please the Spirit, shall reap eternal life from the Spirit. Gal. 6:7-8

5. Did Balaam take to heart God’s warning, or did he stubbornly persist in his sinful course? Note Num. 24:1 What was the final outcome of Balaam’s commitment to sin? See Num. 31:7-8 What sober truth is recorded for us in Romans 6:23a? What is the LORD’s desire for us? See Ezek. 33:11,

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. Num. 24:1

When on two occasions Balaam fails to receive a word of curse from the LORD that he may pronounce against Israel, on the third occasion he does not even seek a word from the LORD. Apparently, Balaam was simply going to pronounce his own curse against Israel, whether or not it would be effective, so as not to forfeit the reward promised by Balak.

And [Israel] warred against the Midianites, just as the LORD commanded Moses...⁸They killed the kings of Midian...Balaam the son of Beor they also killed with the sword. Num. 31:7-8

...the wages of sin is death... Rom. 6:23a

Say to them, 'As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?' Ezek. 33:11