Topical Bible: Hypocrisy: Balaam

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Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative, often associated with the theme of hypocrisy. His account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24, with additional references in later biblical texts. Balaam's actions and motivations provide a rich study of duplicity and the conflict between divine will and personal ambition.

Background and Narrative

Balaam, son of Beor, was a prophet known for his ability to bless and curse, a reputation that reached Balak, the king of Moab. As the Israelites encamped on the plains of Moab, Balak sought Balaam's services to curse the Israelites, fearing their growing power. Despite being a prophet, Balaam's heart was swayed by the promise of wealth and honor offered by Balak.

Initially, God instructed Balaam not to go with Balak's messengers, stating, "You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12). However, Balaam's desire for reward led him to seek God's permission again. This time, God allowed him to go but with strict instructions to speak only what He commanded.

The Donkey Incident

Balaam's journey to Moab is marked by the famous incident involving his donkey. As Balaam traveled, the Angel of the LORD stood in his path, unseen by Balaam but visible to the donkey. The donkey's repeated attempts to avoid the angel led to Balaam's anger and harsh treatment of the animal. Finally, the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and it spoke to Balaam, questioning his actions. Subsequently, Balaam's eyes were opened to see the angel, who rebuked him for his reckless path (Numbers 22:21-34).

This episode highlights Balaam's spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. Despite being a prophet, he failed to perceive the divine presence and was rebuked by a creature considered lowly and unintelligent.

Prophecies and Blessings

Upon reaching Balak, Balaam attempted to curse Israel but found himself compelled by God to bless them instead. Over three separate occasions, Balaam delivered blessings and prophecies concerning Israel's future, much to Balak's frustration. Balaam declared, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8). Despite his outward compliance with God's command, Balaam's heart remained divided, as evidenced by his later actions.

Later References and Legacy

Balaam's legacy is marred by his subsequent counsel to Balak, which led to Israel's sin at Peor. In Numbers 31:16, Moses attributes the seduction of the Israelites into idolatry and immorality to Balaam's advice, resulting in God's judgment upon Israel. This act of leading God's people astray for personal gain underscores Balaam's hypocrisy—professing to speak for God while undermining His people.

The New Testament further condemns Balaam's actions, using him as a cautionary example. In 2 Peter 2:15-16, Balaam is cited as one who "loved the wages of wickedness," and in Revelation 2:14, his teachings are linked to leading believers into sin. These references solidify Balaam's reputation as a symbol of hypocrisy, illustrating the dangers of a divided heart and the pursuit of personal gain over divine obedience.

Balaam's account serves as a sobering reminder of the perils of hypocrisy, especially for those in positions of spiritual authority. His narrative warns against the allure of material rewards and the importance of aligning one's heart and actions with God's will.

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Jude 1:11
Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
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Library

Examples from the Old Testament, Balaam, Moses, and Hezekiah, to ...
... Since, then, He had censured their hypocrisy, which covered the secrets of the heart ...
The prophet Balaam, in Numbers, when sent forth by king Balak to curse ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxviii examples from the old.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... Times when hypocrisy would find it a source of profit and of honor to be ... Judas was
an apostle and miracle-worker, and Balaam was a prophet, yet they lacked ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 10.htm

V. ...
... a well-ordered life and walk, in which there is no fraud nor hypocrisy, such as ... And
have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the reward of ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
... To these Balaam had added his prophecy (Numbers 24:17). ... a desire to worship the new
King, all Jerusalem would have been conscious of his hypocrisy, and some ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiii eastern wise-men or magi.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... O my people, remember now what Balak, king of Moab, devised; and what Balaam, the
son of Beor, answered him ... His hypocrisy, hitherto masked, comes to the surface ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Tenth Commandment
... "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. . . . ... What did the
thirty pieces of silver do for Judas? Weren't they a snare? Think of Balaam. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... The frightful hypocrisy, the shocking duplicity and treachery, the terrible cruelty,
and the ... Thus did Jehovah declare of old through Balaam the heathen prophet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

The Critical Reconstruction of the History of the Apostolic Age.
... 3:9), a "false apostle" (2:2), a "false prophet" (2:20), as "Balaam" (2:2 ... of conduct,
which Paul called by the strong term of dissimulation or hypocrisy, that he ...
/.../section 22 the critical reconstruction.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their ... right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... The role of the serpent is the opposite of that of Balaam's ass, which ... Measured by
our modern standards, his religious professions seem only hypocrisy; but as ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm