Remember him? Balak, the King of Moab, was terrified of the Israelites and their growing power. So, he sent messengers to Balaam, hoping he could curse them.
The story takes a twist when Balaam asks God for permission to go. Initially, God says no. But, after further prodding, God relents, saying, "Go, but only do what I tell you." (Numbers 22:20). Now, you’d think Balaam would be a bit hesitant. But according to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Balaam could hardly wait for morning! He was rejoicing, almost as much as Balak's messengers, at this apparent "go-ahead" from God. He was still hoping, against all good advice, that he would succeed in bringing disaster upon Israel.
And here's where the story gets even more interesting. In his eagerness to get going, Balaam actually saddled his own donkey! Now, Balaam wasn't exactly lacking in servants, you know? He was a pretty important guy. So why was he doing it himself?
Well, the text sees this as a moment of extreme hubris and twisted ambition. God, seeing this, remarks (Legends of the Jews), "O thou villain, their ancestor Abraham forestalled thee, for he too rose up early in the morning and in person saddled his ass to lead Isaac to sacrifice in fulfillment of the command that had reached him." for a second. Abraham, our patriarch, the epitome of faith and devotion, also rose early and saddled his own donkey. But what a difference in intention! Abraham was preparing to fulfill God's command, a heartbreaking test of his loyalty. Balaam, on the other hand, was driven by his own desire for power and, perhaps, a bit of personal gain.
It’s a fascinating comparison, isn't it? Two men, seemingly doing the same action – saddling a donkey early in the morning – yet driven by such vastly different motivations. It really makes you think about the intentions behind our own actions, doesn't it? Are we acting out of devotion and a desire to do good, or are we, perhaps, driven by something a little less…pure? Something to ponder, indeed.