What sin did Balaam commit?

[iaskquestions]

I was reading the book of Numbers today and I’ve stumbled upon something.

Numbers 22:20-22

"And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only what I bid you, that shall you do.” So Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. But God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. "

Later we see that Balaam confesses that he has sinned (verse 34).

What sin did he commit? God himself told him to go with those men and then God became angry when he went?

 

[kevinas2]

I have not had a chance to read the chapter recently but from what you have typed, it looks like he was only supposed to go if they asked him. They did not he just got up prepared and went with them.

 

[Nita]

There are a couple of New Testament passages that speak of Balaam’s sin/s:

2 Peter 2:15 Forsaking the right way they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Be’or, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 2:16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a dumb as.s spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Revelations 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality.

See Numbers 25:1-9 along with Numbers 31:15-16.
A footnote to Rev 2:14 in my RSV Bible states: * “Balaam taught King Balak to subvert Israel by inviting them to worship his idols and unite in marriagte or ritual prostitution with his people (Num 31:15-16).”*

 

[Robbinson]

I was reading the book of Numbers today and I’ve stumbled upon something.

Numbers 22:20-22

"And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only what I bid you, that shall you do.” So Balaam rose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. But God’s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. "

Later we see that Balaam confesses that he has sinned (verse 34).

What sin did he commit? God himself told him to go with those men and then God became angry when he went?

He knew God did not want him to go - but tempted by the riches offered to him, he went back to God to ask again. The fact that God then told him to go, but speak only as God told him does not change the fact that he gave in to temptation of riches and rebelled against God’s will.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[Benadam]

I think peering into the window of the future coudl make a prophet a mint. God is giving Balaam a lesson in how to properly put his prophetic sight to use.

God say’s I will open the doors of opportunity you don’t go looking for doors to open. Instead of carefully discerning when God is asking for his service Balaam is eager to make a name for himself as a soothsayer.

Apparently these men had to be solicited and God see’s His gift prostituted.IMO

 

[iaskquestions]

He knew God did not want him to go - but tempted by the riches offered to him, he went back to God to ask again. The fact that God then told him to go, but speak only as God told him does not change the fact that he gave in to temptation of riches and rebelled against God’s will.

Blessings,

Brian

Thanks.