Balaam, son of Beor, stands as an unusual figure among prophets, being a Mesopotamian soothsayer from Pethor near the Euphrates, rather than an Israelite. His presence in the book of Numbers spans three chapters, where his prophecies emerge from an attempt to curse Israel at the behest of Balak, the king of Moab, in exchange for wealth and honor. Despite his efforts, Balaam is constrained by God, who allows him to speak only the words He places in his mouth, ensuring that blessings, not curses, are pronounced over Israel. This limitation highlights that God's purpose for Israel cannot be thwarted, directing all glory to Him. Balaam's character is marked by avarice and evil, leading the Israelites into sin and bringing a curse that results in the death of 24,000 of them. His name has since become synonymous with greed and corruption, noted as an enemy of God and Israel as early as Deuteronomy, and remembered negatively by Joshua, Nehemiah, Micah, and in the New Testament for inducing idolatry and immorality. Yet, despite his unrighteousness, his prophecies remain true within God's Word, serving to open the eyes of Balak, the Israelites, and future readers to God's unyielding plan. In the events leading to his prophecies, Balaam's journey to Moab is interrupted by the Angel of the Lord, who blocks his path three times, an encounter that reveals his spiritual blindness compared to the simple perception of his donkey. This incident underscores a key theme: even a renowned diviner like Balaam fails to see God at work, while a lowly beast submits to Him, ultimately enabling Balaam to recognize his own limitations. During the first prophecy, Balaam, positioned on a high place of Baal, observes the vast camp of Israel and, under God's command, blesses them as a people dwelling alone, separated by covenant to God. His words reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham about the innumerable descendants and express a desire to share in the blessings bestowed upon those who bless Israel. In the second prophecy, from Mount Pisgah where only part of the camp is visible, Balaam again blesses Israel, admitting his powerlessness before God, who will not renege on His plans or be bribed to curse His people. He portrays God as Israel's King, affirming that no sorcery or divination can prevail against them, and depicts Israel as a lion, symbolizing regal power and predatory strength, echoing Jacob's prophecy about Judah.

Balaam emerges as a complex and notorious figure, marked by a name meaning Devourer, or Devourer of the People, reflecting his destructive nature. His father, Beor, meaning Burning, further underscores this negative legacy. Residing in Pethor, a place 400 miles north of Moab on the Euphrates River, near Carchemish, Balaam hails from a region renowned for its sorcerers and diviners. His family, celebrated for generations as expert cursers, made their living by blessing or cursing others for a price, regardless of the requester's beliefs or affiliations. This reputation led King Balak of Moab, fearing the advancing Israelites, to summon Balaam, believing him to be the best in the world at cursing, capable of countering the God who performed mighty acts for Israel. Despite his evil character, Balaam's story is intriguing due to God's direct involvement with him. God spoke to Balaam personally, met him on the road, inspired him by His Spirit, and entrusted him with prophecies concerning Israel, surrounding nations, and even the Messiah, as seen in Numbers 24. Yet, Balaam's actions reveal his true nature; he led Israel into grave sin, resulting in the death of 24,000 Israelites. His persistent attempts to curse Israel, driven by greed for gold and honor, show his refusal to obey God's clear commands. God repeatedly restrained him, changing his words from curses to blessings and speaking through extraordinary means, yet Balaam never grasped the connection between obedience and blessing, seeking the benefits of a relationship with God without the responsibility. Balaam's interactions with Balak's emissaries further expose his deceitful nature. He selectively relayed messages between the princes and God, negotiating for personal gain as a sorcerer for hire. His disregard for God's conditional permission—going with the Moabite princes without being called—demonstrates his tendency to bend rules for his own desires. Throughout, Balaam tried to manipulate God, offering sacrifices and attempting to negotiate as if an equal, failing to understand that submission and obedience are required in the covenant relationship with God. His story stands as a warning of knowing the truth but refusing to act on it, desiring the rewards of righteousness without living righteously.

The story of Balaam carries significant parallels to our current time and experience, offering insight into the dangers even the chosen sons of God may face. Balaam, a priest-diviner known as a Baru, considered himself a devotee of every god, willing to communicate with and curse for any deity. He was internationally recognized for his cursing abilities, living 400 miles from Moab, where Balak sought him out as the best curser to weaken Israel militarily. Balak, terrified of Israel, hired Balaam as a religious mercenary, though this action was unnecessary since God had instructed Israel not to harm Moab. Balaam's character reveals a deep greed for wealth and prestige, willing to negotiate with both Balak and God for personal gain. He was driven by self-interest, believing the end justified the means, and set aside any principles to achieve his goals. His love for the wages of unrighteousness defined him, as he sought to advance at any cost, showing a madness in his willingness to oppose God Himself. In the narrative, God repeatedly warned Balaam not to exceed His instructions, yet Balaam persistently fought against Him, driven by desires for gold, honor, and reputation. When God conditionally permitted Balaam to go only if asked again, Balaam ignored the condition and proceeded, prompting God's anger. God stood as an adversary against Balaam, invisibly blocking his path, though Balaam remained blind to this intervention. Even when his donkey, wiser than he, turned aside to avoid destruction, Balaam failed to recognize God's hand, reacting with frustration and violence toward the animal. God's attempts to turn Balaam from his path escalated, narrowing his way and causing physical pain, yet Balaam remained oblivious to divine warnings. The donkey, seeing God's presence, proved more spiritually attuned than Balaam, who was so materialistic and self-possessed that he ignored miraculous events, including a conversation with his speaking donkey. His spiritual blindness prevented him from seeing God's work, focusing only on immediate gains and personal plans. When confronted by the Angel of the Lord with a drawn sword, Balaam's confession of sin was shallow, blaming his ignorance and failing to seek mercy. His reckless, headlong pursuit of self-interest, without regard for consequences, was deemed perverse by God. Despite God's mercy in offering chances to repent, Balaam remained set on destruction, and God ultimately allowed natural consequences to unfold. Balaam's story serves as a warning of the dangers of prioritizing personal gain over righteousness, illustrating the profound spiritual blindness that can result from such a path.