Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

► TEN Reasons for God's Anger on Balaam :

1. Balaam's disrespect for God's word and integrity in forbidding him to go (Num. 22:12-20) 
2. His covetousness for reward (Num. 22:7,17,37; 24:11) 
3. His hypocrisy in trying to persuade God to let him go (Num. 22:19) 
4. His seeming desire and attempt to curse Israel (Num. 22:14; Dt. 23:4-5; Josh. 24:10) 
5. His stubbornness about going in spite of God's command (Num. 22:19-35) 
6. His lack of desire to do God's perfect will (Num. 22:12-22) 
7. His perverseness (Num. 22:32) 
8. His refusal to wait until the men called for him, and arising early to go with the enemies of Israel (Num. 22:20)
9. His trying to persuade God to cooperate with him, through repeated sacrifices, so he could get the reward (Num. 22:19; 23:1-3,14-15; 24:1) 
10. His willingness to use every means in seeking to get the reward (Num. 22:8,19; 24:1; 2Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 1; Rev. 2:14) 

God foresaw the backsliding of His prophet through covetousness, and how the destruction of many people would ultimately result from the doctrine of Balaam.

August 10 2014 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Excellent question, Isaac Abban! "Why would the angel of the Lord try to kill Balaam when God had already given him permission to go with the men from Moab?" Isn't this what you are asking, Isaac?

I agree with Wiersbe who said, "God was angry at Balaam for defying His will and allowing the love of money to control him." And Herbert Lockyer said, "The presence of any sin is ruinous, especially covetousness.”

And surely God is the same today ("I am the Lord, I change not," he said. Jesus Christ "is the same yesterday, today, and forever.") 

So we must not allow the love of money to control us either, if we want God's blessing. I know how hard this is; sometimes we get so many possessions through a long life of accumulation, that we can hardly move around in our own house! "The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Incidentally, "The angel admonishes Balaam, asking why he beat his donkey heartlessly instead of realizing that his path was reckless." Yes, animal cruelty is SIN! "Now Balaam, a man who claims such devotion to God he can speak his very words, admits that he has sinned. He responds with “I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me." 

--3 Important Reminders from the Story of Balaam and His Talking Donkey
Lia Martin

Read the whole story in Numbers 22 in the Old Testament in the first half of the Bible, the 4th book. It goes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, NUMBERS.

God’s Anger (Numbers 22:22)

“But God’s anger was kindled because he went.”

This seems confusing—why would God be angry if He just gave permission?

The key issue is Balaam’s heart and motives. God saw that Balaam was not going with pure intentions but was still tempted by personal gain (Numbers 22:32: “your way is perverse before me”).

In other words, Balaam was technically obeying but with the wrong heart—he wasn’t fully committed to God’s will.

Conclusion: Why Was God Angry?

God permitted Balaam to go as a test, not because He changed His mind about blessing Israel.

Balaam’s heart was still set on personal gain, despite outward obedience.

God’s anger was not about the act of going but about Balaam’s underlying motives.

The angel’s intervention was a merciful warning, ensuring Balaam stayed within the boundaries of God’s will.

This principle is seen elsewhere in Scripture—sometimes God allows people to follow their desires as a test (e.g., Psalm 81:12, Romans 1:24), but that doesn’t mean He approves of their motives.

January 10 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report