The New Testament has multiple warnings about the “error of Balaam” (Jude 11) and “teaching of Balaam” (Rev. 2:12–17), specifically for the Body of Messiah at the apocalyptic time around the Day of the LORD.

But what does the amazing account in Torah reading בָּלָק Balak (Numbers 22:2–25:9) of a talking donkey and double-agent prophet have to teach us today? In short, remember who we are as “treasures” of the Kingdom of Heaven, why that’s special, and whether we are being transformed into people who have the character and heart of the Messiah.

We will be reviewing this parashah in the reverse, so in a sense, I’m focusing on “the good stuff” to answer the question “Why should I care about this?”

There were a lot of warning signs that the main actors in this story should have noticed. There are plenty of warnings given to those who were straying into error to prevent them from falling into catastrophe. 

We are actually going to start today’s parashah in the Book of Revelation. Two of the messages to the seven assemblies in Revelation directly and indirectly reference this incident with Bilam and Israel’s later apostasy at his devising.

* • Message to Ephesus (Rev. 2:1–7)

* • Message to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12–17)

The church in Ephesus saw the warning signs and paid heed to them. They did not tolerate evil men. They examined and tested every statement, every person who claimed to be “apostles” and did not listen to those who were false. Yeshua commended them for this close examination. The Ephesians wanted to make sure that these messengers were speaking a message similar to the teaches of the Messiah Yeshua. 

Yet they were losing their first love. Their bodies were in the communion but their hearts, souls, minds and strength were elsewhere. 

The church in Pergamum, on the other hand, were tolerating evil by allowing some who were holding to “the teaching of Bilam” into fellowship. 

The Apostle Paul discusses the issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols. On the one hand, Paul teaches us that the idols have no power compared to the Creator God. On the other hand, we also should not do anything that can cause others to stumble in their faith. 

We see in Numbers the battle between the Spirit of Peor and the Spirit of God. 

We meet up with Bilam elsewhere in the Bible:

* Midian is destroyed along with Bilam (Numbers 31)

* Bilam is killed (Josh. 13:22)

* Recounting the Balak-Bilam plot: “I would not listen to him” (Josh. 24:9-10)

* After hearing of the treachery of Bilam, returned Israel banned foreigners (Neh. 13:1-3)

* Bilam’s oracle helped show the power of God (Micah 6:5)

* Way of Cain, error of Bilam, rebellion of Korach (Jude 11)

Balak ultimately did get what he paid for, which is trouble on the people of Israel. It didn’t come about in the way he thought it would, though. However, Balak also received four prophesies that fortold his own destruction and the eventual destruction of his nation. 

What is in a name?

בִּלְעָם Bilam (H1109)

* Thought to be a combination of “בֶּלַע and עָם ‘destruction of people’ which accords with his reputation as a charmer and conjurer.” (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

*  בָּלַע bala’ (H1104): “swallow down, swallow up, engulf (idea of quickness, suddenness)” (Brown Driver Briggs)

* עַם, עָם ‘am (H5971, 5993): “people” (BDB)

* “Some have suggested that Nikolaos ‘conquerors of the people’ in Rev. 2:6, 15 is a translation of this name.” (TWOT)

Bilam’s first prophecy (Num. 23:1-12)

Now Bilam’s mouth is opened. He has become the donkey. Bilam has become the channel speaking God’s words. 

““My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Bilam son of Beor answered him,