A Psychoanalysis of Balaam

(This is a sermon I preached earlier this year at First Assembly of God in Carl Junction)There is so much to pick apart in Balaam’s story. There are a lot more strange things going on than just a talking donkey.For example, in the first chapter where Balaam appears, he does exactly what God says, and then it says that God wanted to kill him for it.  Some men approached Balaam and asked him to curse the Israelites for them, and here’s what it said:Numbers 22:20-2220 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.So far so good, right? God says go. Balaam goes. 22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary.It will even say later that this angel of the Lord was standing there to literally kill Balaam! But why- wasn’t Balaam doing exactly what God wanted? That’s the question we’re going to analyze in this message.Watch these episodes at my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeTaylorPodcastsNeed to get in touch with me? Reach me at [email protected] you’re looking for a Bible study podcast that goes deep into the major and minor prophets, God and His Prophets offers a verse by verse Bible study through these powerful Old Testament writings. Each episode explores the prophecy in the Bible, from the Book of Ezekiel study and later in Zechariah, helping listeners in understanding prophetic books and seeing their relevance today. We also connect the prophets’ words to end times Bible teaching and highlight connections to Revelation, giving you a Christian Bible commentary that equips you for spiritual insight and growth.