So, Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, is ready to get down to business. Balak and his princes are all waiting, anticipation thick in the air. But instead of the curses Balak expects, something extraordinary happens. Balaam's mouth, instead of spewing venom, begins to pour forth blessings upon Israel. How does that even happen?
Balaam explains that he was transported to "high places," finding himself in the company of the Patriarchs. He laments that Balak has cast him down, causing him to lose his gift of prophecy. He points out a crucial connection: both he and Balak owe their existence to the very people they seek to harm.
"Both of us are ungrateful men if we wish to undertake evil against Israel," Balaam declares, according to Legends of the Jews, a compilation of rabbinic tradition. He reminds Balak that were it not for Abraham, who saved Lot from the destruction of the cities, Balak, a descendant of Lot, wouldn't even exist! And Balaam himself, a descendant of Laban, acknowledges that he wouldn't be alive if Jacob hadn't entered Laban's house.
He continues, pointing out the irony: Balak brought him from Aram to curse Israel, but Abraham left that very land laden with blessings, and Jacob entered it likewise blessed. How can a curse possibly emerge from such a place? Balaam asks, rhetorically, how can he curse those whom God has not cursed? “How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed?” he asks.
According to Midrash Rabbah, Balaam argues that cursing Jacob's descendants would be like telling a king his crown is worthless – an act of utter disrespect. He reminds Balak that "The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." God Himself said that He will be glorified in Israel. So, how could anyone possibly curse them?
Even when the Israelites have deserved punishment, they haven't been cursed, Balaam argues. Remember when Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, to receive the blessings, saying, "I am Esau, thy firstborn?" (Genesis 27:19). Shouldn't a curse have followed that deception? But instead, he was blessed!
Balaam goes on, reminding Balak about the sin of the Golden Calf. Ordinarily, a rebellious group would face severe consequences, but even after the Israelites worshipped the idol, God didn't withdraw His love. He continued to provide them with the clouds of glory, manna, and the well – all miracles that sustained them in the desert.
Balaam emphasizes that even when God threatened the Israelites with a curse, He never explicitly stated that He would bring it upon them. In contrast, when promising blessings, God always affirmed that He Himself would send them upon Israel. "How shall I curse when God doth not curse!" Balaam exclaims.
So, what are we to make of this? Balaam's forced blessings highlight the power of divine will. It's a reminder that even those who intend to harm can be instruments of blessing. And perhaps, it’s a lesson that blessings, once spoken, carry a weight and power all their own. Even against the speaker's will.