Take Balaam, for example. He's one of those figures in Jewish tradition that just… fascinates. We find him in the Book of Numbers, a non-Israelite prophet hired to curse the Israelites. But the story, as always, is far more layered than it seems on the surface.
Imagine the scene. God asks Balaam, "What men are these with thee?" (Numbers 22:9). Now, a righteous person, someone like, say, Moses, might have responded, "Lord of the world! Everything lies open before Thee, and nothing is hidden from Thee, why then dost Thou ask me?" (as imagined in Legends of the Jews). It's a moment of humility, of recognizing the Divine's all-encompassing knowledge.
But not Balaam. Oh no.
Instead, he puffs out his chest and starts boasting. "Although Thou dost not distinguish me, and dost not spread my fame over the world, still the kings seek me!" He goes on to brag about Balak, the king of Moab, sending for him to curse Israel. It’s all about Balaam, isn't it? His ego, his importance.
God's response? Swift and cutting. "Because thou speakest thus, thou shalt not curse the people." And then, a zinger: "O thou wicked rascal! I said of Israel, 'He that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of My eye,' and yet thou wishest to touch them and curse them! Therefore shall thine eye be blinded."
Ouch. Talk about a divine smackdown.
According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Balaam actually does become blind in one eye as a result of this. It's poetic justice, really, as he was already lame in one foot. The physical mirroring the spiritual.
Now, Balaam, finally getting the message that maybe cursing Israel wasn't such a hot idea, tries to pivot. "If it be so, then I shall bless them." He thinks he can still salvage the situation, maybe impress God with a little unsolicited blessing.
But God's having none of it. "They have not need of thy blessing, for they are blessed." It's like God is saying, "Your blessing is worthless. They are blessed by virtue of who they are."
And then, the final, devastating blow: God says to Balaam, as one says to a bee: "Neither thy honey nor thy sting." In other words, "You have nothing to offer. Neither your blessing nor your curse holds any weight."
Think about that for a moment. To be told that your very essence, your supposed power, is meaningless. That's a harsh lesson. It reminds us that true value, true blessing, comes from aligning ourselves with something greater than our own ego. Balaam’s story isn't just about a failed curse; it’s about the dangers of pride and the ultimate emptiness of seeking power for its own sake. It’s a cautionary tale, buzzing in our ears like a bee, reminding us to check our motives and remember that sometimes, the greatest power lies in humility.