How does God’s change from forbidding Balaam to go (Numbers 22:12) to eventually permitting him (Numbers 22:20) align with the concept of divine consistency?

Historical and Cultural Context

Balaam lived during a time when the Israelites, led by Moses, were journeying through the plains of Moab just beyond the Jordan River. The biblical account (Numbers 22–24) presents him as a diviner of significant influence. Archaeologically, the Deir Alla Inscription (discovered in Jordan in 1967) refers to “Balaam son of Beor,” suggesting that the figure of Balaam existed outside of Hebrew tradition and was renowned as a visionary. This extra-biblical reference provides historical support for the biblical Balaam narrative.

The Moabite region, where Balak reigned, often had tense relations with the Israelites (cf. Numbers 22:1–6). According to the Mesha Stele (an ancient Moabite stone discovered in 1868), Moab was a distinct kingdom with its own interactions and occasional conflicts with Israel. These archaeological findings align with the broader historical setting of Numbers, giving credence to the text’s historical authenticity.

God’s Initial Prohibition

Numbers 22:12 states:

“‘But God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed.’”

In this verse, Yahweh explicitly forbids Balaam from going to curse the Israelites. The heart of this prohibition involves Israel’s protected status: God had already promised to bless them (e.g., Genesis 12:2–3; Numbers 24:9). Balaam, motivated by potential gain (cf. 2 Peter 2:15), sought to accommodate Balak’s request. Yet God’s words to him underscore a truth of divine consistency: God honored the covenant promises made to Abraham and would not allow His people to be cursed.

God’s Eventual Permission

Later in Numbers 22:20, we read:

“‘That night God came to Balaam and said, ‘Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.’”

On the surface, this may seem contradictory. God first disapproves, then He allows Balaam to go. However, the context illuminates how this permission serves a greater divine purpose. God’s allowance is conditional, restricting Balaam’s freedom to act or speak beyond the bounds of God’s revealed will. Even while Balaam physically travels with the men, his ultimate message is still governed by God.

Two Dimensions of God’s Will

When considering how prohibition changes to permission, it is instructive to see two dimensions at work:

1. God’s Moral Will – This reflects the righteous and perfect standard of what He requires. Here, it is clear that God’s moral will opposed any cursing of Israel because He had already decreed Israel’s blessing.

2. God’s Permissive Will – This includes events that God does not morally endorse but allows within the unfolding of His plan. Although He initially forbade Balaam’s journey (because Balaam’s heart was wrong), God later permitted him to go—yet only under divine constraint. Balaam’s personal greed and stubbornness led him to persist; thus God allowed it to happen while ensuring that it ultimately served God’s greater intention: blessing Israel instead of cursing them (Numbers 23:11–12).

Consistency in Divine Purpose

Despite a shift from “no” to “go,” there is no actual contradiction in God’s nature. His character remains eternally just, sovereign, and purposeful. The prohibition preserved the principle that His covenant people would not be cursed. The subsequent permission orchestrated a scenario in which Balaam unwittingly ended up pronouncing blessings (Numbers 24:5–9). What seemed like a change of mind in human terms revealed the consistent overarching plan of God: to protect and bless His chosen nation.

Importance of Human Free Will and Testing

Balaam’s story also showcases the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God forbade Balaam initially, Balaam still sought ways to profit from his gift of prophecy (cf. Jude 1:11). God used this situation to test Balaam’s motives and to demonstrate that only God’s word stands.

The test is further highlighted in the episode where the Angel of the LORD intercepts Balaam’s path, and Balaam’s donkey both sees and speaks (Numbers 22:22–35). This miraculous intervention served as a warning, reinforcing that Balaam was acting correctly only when he aligned himself with God’s command. Even in permission, God’s consistency is maintained; He did not change His underlying stance regarding Israel’s blessing, but He allowed Balaam’s journey without endorsing Balaam’s desires.

Biblical Harmony and New Testament References

The New Testament comments on Balaam’s error as motivated by greed (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11). Although God granted him permission to go, it did not condone his internal motives. Balaam’s eventual counsel led Israel into sin (Numbers 25:1–3; 31:16), underscoring how divine allowance can coincide with human misconduct without implicating divine character. Everywhere in Scripture, God’s commandments and moral order remain consistent, emphasizing holiness and trust in His sovereign plan.

Practical and Theological Takeaways

1. Divine Consistency: What appears contradictory in a single moment must be interpreted in light of the larger biblical context. God’s nature is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). He consistently guards His covenant and brings about His redemptive purposes.

2. Human Responsibility: Balaam’s example warns that stubbornly pursuing personal gain against God’s counsel can lead to harm and spiritual peril. Even if God permits certain paths, it does not translate into moral sanction.

3. God’s Sovereign Use of Circumstances: God can use flawed instruments—even reluctant or disobedient ones—to accomplish His design. Despite Balaam’s intentions, God turned his mission into one of blessing for Israel, demonstrating God’s supreme rule over human affairs.

4. Scriptural Unity: When examined comprehensively, these passages in Numbers align with the overarching scriptural narrative of God’s faithfulness to His word. The text remains coherent, speaking to God’s holiness and commitment to His promises, rather than revealing any inconsistency.

Conclusion

God’s shift from forbidding Balaam to go (Numbers 22:12) to allowing him to proceed (Numbers 22:20) serves as an illustrative example of divine consistency rather than contradiction. Initially, God prevented Balaam’s involvement when it was driven by the desire to curse Israel. Later, He permitted Balaam’s travel but clearly bounded it so that His covenant people would be blessed, not cursed.

This episode highlights how God’s overarching plan—rooted in His unchanging nature—can accommodate human free will without compromising His moral will. Rather than reflect inconsistency, the account of Balaam demonstrates that even human intention cannot thwart God’s sovereign purposes. He remains faithful to His promises and ensures that any apparent change of mind ultimately reveals the consistency of His character.