Balak and Balaam

A print from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations in the possession of Revd. Philip De Vere at St. George’s Court, Kidderminster, England.

 

Balak and Balaam: Why Did a Pagan Nation Seek a Prophet of God?

 

Q. Although Moab worshiped other gods, why did they attempt to summon Balaam, a prophet of God? Also, were the sacrifices they offered dedicated to God, or should they be considered offerings to idols?

 

Throughout biblical history, various nations interacted with the God of Israel in different ways, sometimes through direct conflict and at other times through attempts at manipulation or negotiation. One of the most intriguing accounts of such an interaction is found in the story of Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, a prophet known for his ability to communicate with the divine. This story, recorded in Numbers 22–24, presents a paradox: why would a pagan king who worshiped false gods seek the intervention of a prophet who was known for his connection to the one true God of Israel? Furthermore, the narrative raises an important theological question: were the sacrifices offered in this encounter directed toward God, or were they merely extensions of Moabite idol worship?

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1. Why Did King Balak of Moab Seek Balaam, a Prophet of God?

To fully understand Balak’s decision to summon Balaam, it is essential to consider the religious, political, and cultural context of the time. Moab was a nation that followed the worship of deities such as Chemosh and Baal, gods commonly revered in the ancient Near East. Given their own established religious system, why would Balak choose to seek out Balaam, a prophet associated with the God of Israel?

① Balaam Was a Renowned Prophet with International Recognition.

In the ancient world, prophets, diviners, and sorcerers were highly esteemed figures, often consulted by kings and rulers for guidance in military, political, and spiritual matters. Balaam appears to have been a well-known prophet, whose reputation extended far beyond his homeland. Though he was not an Israelite, he possessed the ability to communicate with God, a unique trait that set him apart from other diviners and priests of the time.

Balak’s decision to hire Balaam suggests that his reputation had spread across different regions. Numbers 22:6 records Balak’s words to Balaam: “For I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.” This statement implies that Balaam was believed to have significant spiritual authority, possibly derived from past experiences where his pronouncements led to tangible outcomes. In an era where divine intervention was sought to influence the outcomes of battles and national affairs, Balak likely viewed Balaam as a powerful spiritual weapon against the encroaching Israelites.

② Balak Feared the Power of Israel’s God.

One of the primary reasons Balak turned to Balaam was his fear of Israel’s God. The Moabites had witnessed the Israelites’ journey from Egypt, their survival in the wilderness, and their repeated victories over hostile nations. Most notably, Israel’s recent conquest of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35) had left Moab terrified. The Amorites were a strong and feared people, yet they had been utterly defeated by Israel, a nomadic group with no established homeland.

Balak understood that Israel’s success was not due to sheer military strength but rather to the divine intervention of their God, Yahweh. Unlike the gods of the surrounding nations, Yahweh demonstrated a level of power and authority that surpassed ordinary deities. Balak’s strategy, therefore, was not merely to rely on conventional warfare but to engage in a spiritual battle—one where he hoped to weaken Israel through divine opposition. By summoning Balaam, a prophet with access to Yahweh, Balak sought to manipulate the spiritual realm in his favor, turning Israel’s own God against them.

③ Balak Sought More Than Sorcery—He Wanted Divine Intervention.

In the ancient Near East, warfare was not just a physical endeavor but also a spiritual one. Before battles, kings and generals frequently sought omens, performed sacrifices, and consulted diviners to secure favor from the gods. However, Balak’s approach was unique in that he did not merely seek an ordinary sorcerer or priest from Moab’s religious system. Instead, he wanted someone who had a proven connection with the supernatural realm, particularly with Israel’s God.

This suggests that Balak believed Balaam’s words carried more weight than a mere magical incantation. He did not simply want a curse as a superstitious ritual; rather, he wanted a pronouncement that would invoke divine authority against Israel. In doing so, Balak demonstrated an understanding—albeit flawed—of Yahweh’s power. He acknowledged that Israel’s God was the key to their strength but erroneously believed that this God could be manipulated through human intermediaries like Balaam.

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2. Were the Sacrifices Offered by the Moabites Dedicated to God or to Idols?

A key element of the Balaam narrative involves the multiple sacrifices offered by Balak and his men. The question arises: were these offerings truly acts of worship toward Yahweh, or were they merely extensions of Moab’s idolatrous practices?

① Balaam Used Sacrifices as Part of Seeking God's Will.

In Numbers 23, Balaam instructs Balak to build seven altars and offer bulls and rams as burnt offerings. The text indicates that these sacrifices were part of Balaam’s attempt to receive a divine response (Numbers 23:1-5). Since Balaam did indeed hear from God after these sacrifices, some scholars argue that the offerings were directed toward Yahweh in a genuine attempt to seek divine guidance.

② However, These Sacrifices May Have Been Merely Formal Rituals.

It is important to recognize that in the ancient world, sacrifices were not always acts of genuine worship but were often performed as ritualistic formalities. In many cultures, including Israel’s, sacrifices were a customary way of invoking divine favor or communication. Balaam, operating within this cultural framework, may have used sacrifices as a means of facilitating his prophetic encounter without necessarily regarding them as acts of heartfelt devotion.

③ The Sacrifices Were Likely Associated with Pagan Worship.

Despite Balaam’s connection with Yahweh, the Moabites themselves were deeply entrenched in idolatry. They worshiped Baal and other gods, and their sacrifices were typically dedicated to these deities. While the specific offerings mentioned in Numbers 23 were presented in the context of Balaam’s communication with Yahweh, the broader narrative of Moabite religious practices suggests that their intentions were not to honor the God of Israel.

This becomes evident later in Numbers 25, where the Moabites successfully lead Israel into idolatrous worship at Baal-Peor. This event underscores the fact that Moab’s religious system was fundamentally opposed to the worship of Yahweh. Given this context, it is reasonable to conclude that the sacrifices offered in Balaam’s presence, while outwardly aligned with Yahweh, were likely influenced by Moabite religious customs and were not sincere acts of worship to the true God.

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Conclusion

Balak’s decision to summon Balaam stemmed from a combination of fear, pragmatism, and misunderstanding. He recognized the power of Israel’s God but wrongly assumed that this power could be harnessed through human manipulation. Balaam, despite his prophetic gift, was ultimately unable to curse Israel because Yahweh’s sovereign will prevailed.

As for the sacrifices, while they were performed in a manner that seemed to seek Yahweh’s guidance, they were likely influenced by Moabite idolatry. The Moabites did not seek to worship the true God but instead attempted to use divine power for their own advantage. Their actions serve as a reminder that true worship of God cannot be reduced to mere ritual but must be rooted in genuine faith and obedience.