Numbers 22 has always disturbed me because the L-RD told Balaam to go but then was angry that he went. It dawned on me all of a sudden though that verse 32 said Balaam’s way was ”perverse”, at least in the NRSV English. The footnote says the Hebrew is uncertain. But what dawned on me is that men can only see the outside actions of man, whereas the L-RD can see the hearts intent. Which I recently heard this point in a teaching at church that man is unable to see the intent of other mens hearts.
It hit me that this seems to be the best explanation for this passage. Especially noting that Balaam could not see the Angel of the L-RD until He opened Balaam’s eyes. Later on in the New Testament it clearly presents that Balaam was wicked in his deeds but still confused me in this context. It looks like Balaam is doing right to the normal man but the Angel of the L-RD sees Balaam’s heart in this.
It mentions in 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11 that Balaam was deceitful for money. Revelation 2:14 goes further that Balaam actually taught Balak to put stumbling blocks in front of the sons of Israel, “to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.” (NASB)
Therefore, you can do what’s right but if with the wrong intent it is still wrong, in some circumstances at least. I say some because there are times we are called to be obedient that will not be easy for us but we must push through for the greater joy. We won’t always feel like doing somethings that are good but we press on to grow in the L-RD.
For example, passages like 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 calls for self-control. Ephesians 4, Galatians 5, Philippians 3, Revelation 1-3, and many more passages call us to do things but at the same time to be led by the Spirit and to do so out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. There is a tension of doing what is right out of the right heart but we all know that there are times when we do not feel like doing something.
This is not the scenario with Balaam, though. He had a heart to make money and make Israel stumble, even though he appeared to be doing what the L-RD had said to do. He is doing it for his own gain and for selfish reasons. Perverse reasons. May the L-RD help us have right hearts, clean hearts, and be led by the Spirit!!!
Psalm 51
1 (A)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of (B)Your compassion (C)blot out my transgressions.
2 (D)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And (E)cleanse me from my sin.
3 For [b]I (F)know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4 (G)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is (H)evil in Your sight,
So that (I)You [c]are justified [d]when You speak
And [e]blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was (J)brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire (K)truth in the [f]innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will (L)make me know wisdom.
7 [g]Purify me (M)with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
[h]Wash me, and I shall be (N)whiter than snow.
8 [i]Make me to hear (O)joy and gladness,
Let the (P)bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 (Q)Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 (R)Create [j]in me a (S)clean heart, O God,
And renew [k]a (T)steadfast spirit within me.
11 (U)Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your (V)Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the (W)joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a (X)willing spirit.
13 Then I will (Y)teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will [l]be (Z)converted to You.
14 Deliver me from (AA)bloodguiltiness, O God, (AB)the God of my salvation;
Then my (AC)tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, [m](AD)open my lips,
That my mouth may (AE)declare Your praise.
16 For You (AF)do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a (AG)broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
18 (AH)By Your favor do good to Zion;
[n](AI)Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will delight in [o](AJ)righteous sacrifices,
In (AK)burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then [p]young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
