Balaam Compares God's Reversal to the Binding of Isaac

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Balak 14:8

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Continuing the same verse:) AND NOW, IF IT IS EVIL IN YOUR EYES, I WILL RETURN (Numbers 22:34). He said to him: I did not go until the Holy One, blessed be He, said to me, ARISE, GO WITH THEM (Numbers 22:20); and now you say that I should turn back! Such is His craft. Did He not in this same way say to Abraham to offer up his son, and afterward, AND AN ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM [and so forth] AND SAID: DO NOT STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND (Genesis 22:11-12)? He is accustomed to say a thing, and an angel comes and reverses it. He said to me, GO WITH THEM, and now, IF IT IS EVIL IN YOUR EYES, I WILL RETURN.

Themes

ProphecyAdam EveAbrahamAngelsPatriarchs

Biblical References

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