The account of Balaam and the men who accompanied him is found primarily in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is approached by Balak, the king of Moab, who is fearful of the Israelites encamped near his territory. Balak seeks to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them and protect his kingdom.

The Initial Delegation:

Balak sends an initial delegation of Moabite and Midianite elders to Balaam with the promise of a reward for cursing Israel. Numbers 22:7 states, "The elders of Moab and Midian left with the fees for divination in hand, and they came to Balaam and relayed Balak’s message to him." Balaam, however, seeks the counsel of the LORD, who instructs him not to go with them or curse the Israelites, for they are blessed (Numbers 22:12).

The Second Delegation:

Undeterred, Balak sends a more distinguished group of princes with greater promises of reward. Numbers 22:15-17 records, "Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. They came to Balaam and said, 'This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me.'"

Balaam again consults the LORD, who permits him to go with the men but only to speak what He commands (Numbers 22:20). Balaam's journey is marked by the famous incident with his donkey, where an angel of the LORD blocks the path, and the donkey speaks to Balaam (Numbers 22:21-35).

The Men with Balaam:

As Balaam proceeds to meet Balak, he is accompanied by the Moabite princes. Numbers 22:35 notes, "The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, 'Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.' So Balaam went with the princes of Balak." These men serve as witnesses to the unfolding events and the divine messages delivered through Balaam.

Balaam's Oracles:

Upon arrival, Balaam instructs Balak to build altars and offer sacrifices. Despite Balak's expectations, Balaam delivers a series of oracles that bless Israel instead of cursing them. Numbers 23:11-12 captures Balak's frustration: "Then Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have only blessed them!' But Balaam replied, 'Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?'"

The Role of the Men:

The men with Balaam, primarily the Moabite princes, play a crucial role as intermediaries between Balak and Balaam. They witness the power of the God of Israel, who overrides human intentions and desires. Their presence underscores the futility of opposing God's will and the sovereignty of God in blessing His chosen people.

Theological Implications:

The narrative of Balaam and the men with him highlights several key theological themes. It underscores the sovereignty of God over all nations and His ability to use even non-Israelite figures to accomplish His purposes. The account also illustrates the futility of attempting to manipulate divine will through human means, as seen in Balak's repeated efforts to secure a curse against Israel. Balaam's interactions with the men and his ultimate obedience to God's command serve as a testament to the power and authority of God's word.