Balaam, son of Beor, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative, primarily known for his interactions with the Israelites during their wilderness journey. His account is predominantly found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24, with additional references in Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Micah, 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation.

Background and Character:

Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet or diviner from Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in Mesopotamia. Despite not being an Israelite, he had a reputation for effective blessings and curses, which suggests he had some knowledge of the true God, Yahweh. His dual role as a prophet and a diviner indicates a complex character who straddled the line between true prophecy and pagan practices.

The Balaam Narrative:

The primary account of Balaam begins when Balak, the king of Moab, seeks his services to curse the Israelites, who were encamped on the plains of Moab. Alarmed by the Israelites' numbers and their recent victories, Balak sends messengers to Balaam with promises of reward for cursing the Israelites.

Initially, Balaam seeks God's guidance and receives a clear directive: "Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12). Despite this, Balaam's desire for the promised rewards leads him to entertain Balak's request further. God permits Balaam to go with Balak's messengers but instructs him to only speak what He commands.

The Donkey Incident:

On his journey to Moab, Balaam encounters the Angel of the LORD, who stands in his path with a drawn sword. Balaam's donkey sees the angel and turns aside, but Balaam, unaware of the angel's presence, beats the donkey. The LORD opens the donkey's mouth, allowing it to speak and rebuke Balaam. Subsequently, Balaam's eyes are opened, and he sees the angel, who reiterates the command to speak only what God tells him (Numbers 22:21-35).

Balaam's Oracles:

Upon meeting Balak, Balaam offers a series of oracles instead of curses. Each time, he blesses Israel, much to Balak's frustration. Balaam declares, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8). His oracles affirm Israel's blessed status and prophesy their future dominance and prosperity.

Balaam's Downfall:

Despite his initial obedience, Balaam's account takes a darker turn. Numbers 31:16 and Revelation 2:14 reveal that Balaam advised Balak to entice the Israelites into sin through idolatry and immorality, leading to God's judgment on Israel. This counsel resulted in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:1-9).

Balaam's end is recorded in Numbers 31:8, where he is killed by the Israelites during a campaign against the Midianites. His legacy is one of a prophet who, despite knowing the true God, succumbed to greed and led others into sin.

New Testament References:

Balaam is mentioned in the New Testament as a cautionary example. 2 Peter 2:15-16 warns against following "the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness." Jude 1:11 and Revelation 2:14 further highlight his error and its consequences, emphasizing the dangers of compromising faith for personal gain.

Theological Significance:

Balaam's account serves as a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God, who can use even reluctant and flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. It also underscores the perils of greed and the importance of unwavering obedience to God's commands. Balaam's narrative illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, as well as the consequences of choosing personal gain over divine instruction.