Why would God use Balaam, a non-Israelite, as His mouthpiece in Numbers 24 if divine revelation was meant primarily for the Israelites?

Historical and Literary Background

Balaam appears in the book of Numbers, specifically in chapters 22–24, during Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land. Although not an Israelite, Balaam is depicted as a seer who receives direct communication from God. Archaeologically, the Deir Alla Inscription (discovered in Jordan in 1967) references Balaam as a seer. This extra-biblical testimony highlights Balaam’s historical footprint outside of the Israelite tradition, underscoring the authenticity of the biblical narrative.

In Numbers 24, Balaam delivers several oracles that bless rather than curse Israel, much to the dismay of Balak, king of Moab, who had hoped Balaam would invoke disaster upon the Israelites. Just before the blessings, God made it clear that Balaam would only speak the words God placed in his mouth.

Biblical Precedent for Non-Israelite Instruments

While divine revelation in the Old Testament centers around Israel as God’s chosen people, examples abound of non-Israelites who receive or proclaim God’s truth. Pharaoh (Genesis 12:17–20), Abimelech (Genesis 20:3–7), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34–37), and even the pagan sailors during Jonah’s voyage (Jonah 1:14–16) witness or declare the power of the One true God. These accounts illustrate that God’s sovereign plan is never constrained by ethnic or geographic boundaries.

Numbers 24 manifests this same principle. God can and does employ anyone—even a pagan diviner—to broadcast His counsel. This offers a glimpse into God’s overarching design, ultimately culminating in the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles through Christ (cf. Isaiah 49:6).

God’s Sovereignty Over All Nations

God’s authority extends to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Deuteronomy 32:8–9 notes God’s sovereignty over the boundaries of the nations, and Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” By using Balaam, God demonstrates His dominion over Moab, Midian, and any realm where false deities are revered. Balaam’s background does not limit God’s capacity or willingness to reveal His will.

Prophetic Function Independent of Ethnicity

Although Israel bears a unique covenant relationship with God, possessing the Law and the patriarchal heritage, prophecy itself has never been locked to ancestry. Numbers 22–24 exemplifies that God’s words and judgments remain supreme, irrespective of the vehicle of revelation.

In Numbers 22:28, even Balaam’s donkey speaks when enabled by the LORD: “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth.” This rare and miraculous event highlights that human background or personal holiness is not what guarantees prophetic authenticity. Instead, it is submission to God’s own Word and power that transforms a mouthpiece.

Theological Purpose in Using Balaam

1. Display of God’s Power: Employing a non-Israelite seer underscores God’s unrivaled might. Neither the desires of a pagan king nor Balaam’s initial willingness to accept bribes could override God’s decree of blessing upon Israel (Numbers 24:9).

2. Blessing Israel Before the Nations: In Numbers 24:5, Balaam famously proclaims, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!” This external confirmation of Israel’s favored status in God’s plan testifies to the nations. Despite Balak’s attempt to purchase a curse, the LORD turns it into a blessing.

3. Foreshadowing Universal Salvation: Balaam’s prophecy points ahead to a time when people from every nation will acknowledge God. Balaam’s oracles even foretell a future ruler rising from Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Many interpreters note this as a prophetic hint of the Messiah, reinforcing the message that all nations will ultimately benefit from the blessing given to Israel.

Consistency with the Greater Biblical Narrative

God’s global sovereignty appears consistently throughout Scripture. From Genesis—where Abraham is promised that “all nations” will be blessed through his lineage (Genesis 12:3)—to the New Testament, where Christ commissions His followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), the Bible presents a consistent message of God’s unfolding redemptive plan across ethnic boundaries.

The Balaam accounts, verified in part by the Deir Alla Inscription, reinforce Scripture’s own unity: the Lord of Israel is the Lord of all the earth. Secular records and archaeological findings provide supportive evidence for the historical reliability of such narratives, indicating an event that was believed and passed down even outside Israel.

Lessons for Today

1. God’s Freedom to Move Beyond Human Bounds

Human categorizations do not confine God’s activity. This reminds readers that God can and does speak through unexpected vessels, a principle that nurtures humility and caution in neglecting voices we might otherwise dismiss.

2. God’s Faithfulness to His Own Word

Even though Balaam is introduced as a mercenary prophet, he must eventually yield to the message of blessing. Numbers 23:12 states, “Must I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?” This displays God’s unchanging fidelity to His covenant people and to His declared promises.

3. Hope for All Peoples

Balaam’s oracles anticipate that revelation is not trapped within Israel’s borders. This foreshadows the universal proclamation of the gospel, culminating in the risen Christ extending salvation to all who believe (Romans 10:12–13).

Conclusion

God’s choice to use Balaam underscores His supreme might and confirms that divine truth can be proclaimed even outside Israel’s direct lineage. The book of Numbers shows that, though revelation was given to the Jews, God’s plan included glimpses of how He would eventually reach the nations. The Balaam episode, supported by both internal and external evidence, stands as a clear declaration: the Creator is not limited by human affiliations or motives. Surpassing all constraints, God remains sovereign over history, ensuring His message of blessing and redemption prevails.