If you are ever in the position to train someone for any reason, you’ll find yourself making promises. You tell that that if they do certain things, they will like the outcome, and if they do other things, they will not. If you are the trainer, you probably have experience with both types of outcomes and you’re trying your best to pass along a roadmap to what works and what doesn’t. The prophecies of Balaam reflect this characteristic from God as well. They tell of the good that God does to those who trust in Him and are His. And they tell of the judgment to be faced by those who reject Him in spite of His invitation to come and worship. God is not making this up as He goes; He is instead giving us instruction on the way to life and warning against the path to death. In His grace, He even gives this to those who will ultimately reject Him in rebellion. As the people of God we should take both comfort and warning. We will be held by His good hand, but when we push away what He tells us, we too will face destruction.