We find a classic example of that in the story of Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet hired to curse the Israelites.
Balak, the King of Moab, was understandably nervous. A huge Israelite nation was camped nearby, and he wanted them gone. So, he sent messengers to Balaam, known for his powerful curses, with a tempting offer.
Initially, Balaam turned them down, claiming he needed to consult with God. But get this: even when he finally admitted he couldn't defy God’s will, he still tried to sound like he was the one making the choice! As Ginzberg retells it in Legends of the Jews, Balaam wouldn't admit that his decision depended on God. Nope, he insisted he could do whatever he wanted, but chose not to disobey. Talk about a power trip!
Then Balak, desperate, sent an even more impressive delegation with even more tempting offers. Balaam's response? "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God."
Now, on the surface, that sounds righteous. But dig a little deeper. Our sages see right through him. This statement, they say, perfectly encapsulates Balaam's three fatal flaws: ayin ra, ruach gevah, and nefesh rechavah – a jealous eye, a haughty spirit, and a greedy soul. (Pirkei Avot 5:19)
His jealousy? He envied the Israelites' good fortune and wanted to curse them out of spite. His haughtiness? He lied to the first messengers, implying that God wouldn't let him go because it was beneath his dignity. Can you imagine?
And the greed? Oh, the greed is the most blatant. In his response to the second embassy, Balaam subtly mentioned Balak's silver and gold, hinting that the king’s initial offer wasn’t nearly enough. In fact, he practically told the messengers that Balak couldn't adequately compensate him for his services! "If Balak were to hire hosts against Israel," he seemed to imply, "his success would still be doubtful, whereas he should be certain of success if he hired me!" (Based on Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews)
Wow. The nerve! It's like he was saying, “Sure, armies might fail, but my curses? Guaranteed victory… for the right price, of course.” It really paints a picture of a man driven by ego and self-interest, doesn't it? Someone more concerned with his own perceived power than with any sense of morality or divine will. What do you think? Was he really trying to impress the messengers, or was he simply blinded by his own greed and ego?