It’s a theme that echoes through so many stories, and it's definitely front and center in the tale of Balaam.
You see, Balaam wasn't just some random guy. He was a powerful sorcerer, and he had a serious problem: an unshakeable hatred for the Israelites. Despite explicit warnings from God – and even an angel! – Balaam was absolutely determined to curse them. He was convinced he could somehow, someday, get God to agree with him.
It's almost tragic, isn’t it? This unwavering, almost delusional belief in his own ability to sway the divine. The text tells us, despite the warnings, "he was not to be restrained from taking this fatal step, but in his hatred toward Israel still cherished the hope that he should succeed in obtaining God's consent to curse Israel, and he continued his journey in this happy expectation." Talk about blind ambition.
But here's where it gets really interesting. According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Louis Ginzberg, God actually allows Balaam to proceed, at least for a while. Why?
Well, the text explains it like this: "Whensoever God wished to humble an evil-doer, He at first exalts him, to fill him with pride." It's a fascinating idea, isn't it? God allows Balaam to think he's succeeding, to inflate his ego, to set him up for an even greater fall.
The story illustrates this with the account of the messengers sent by Balak. At first, Balak sends just minor princes. God tells Balaam, "Thou shalt not go with them." But when Balak sends more prestigious, "renowned princes," God says to Balaam, "Go with them." Sounds like a blessing, right? Wrong. It was a trap.
As the text emphasizes, "this journey brought him nothing but humiliation and ruin, for he fared in accordance with the proverb, 'Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.'" This proverb, of course, is a common one, appearing in slightly different forms in many places.
The Midrash Rabbah offers some context for why God does this. It is so that "men might not say, 'Whom hath God destroyed? Surely not that insignificant person,'" Ginzberg explains. So God exalts sinners before their fall, so the lesson is clear: no one escapes justice, not even the seemingly powerful.
It's a pretty harsh lesson, isn't it? But it speaks to a deeper truth about human nature and the dangers of unchecked ambition. It is a reminder that true power isn't about manipulating others or even bending the divine will to our desires. True strength lies in humility and aligning ourselves with what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
So, next time you see someone rising high, seemingly untouchable, remember the story of Balaam. Remember that sometimes, the greatest heights are just a prelude to the most devastating falls. And ask yourself, what truly motivates them? And what motivates you?