Balaam's error and God's unswerving Justness

Numbers 22-23

Commentary reference material

In the story of Balaam we see that even people who follow God in the Old Testament are tempted to "go with the flow", or to please all or pacify in the interests of non-confrontational conflict resolution. With the advent of the people of Isreal coming close to the Moabites, Balak recognizes the virtue Balaam can use and requests him to curse and rid him of the Isrealites. This is because if Balaam was a man of God as the text suggests, he may have an inkling that what the princes asked was wrong to do.

When Balaam asks God what to do God clearly gives Balaam two directives:

1. Don't go with them
2. Do not curse His people

However, when pressed again a second time at a following visit from Moab, Balaam asks God again instead of being obedient clearly to God's commmand. God relents (not compromises) and allows Balaam to leave with the guests; He later is angry at Balaams wavering and sends an angel to block his progress and kill Balaam if he doesn't stop. Even the donkey tries to save Balaams life and get's beaten mercilessly for it by his rider until Balaam's eyes are opened to the danger and repents.
How many times are we to be questioning what we should do in daily circumstances, sometimes in the face of certain temptation, when we clearly know God is against it? (Romans 1:18-20) Don't we deserve the hard knocks that may result when we have fallen short of Him in sin?
And yet, as in the story of Balaam, God even persuades us to be spared and given a second chance in spite of His anger for our disobedience. He always is just and holy, yet merciful and gives opportunitity for grace if we will receive it. Just as he gave Balaam a second chance to not sin against His will and go against His people He aslo gives us a chance through Jesus Christ to accept his forgiveness through repentance of our sins and receiving Him as Lord of our lives.