The Parting of Balaam and Balak: God Defeats Evil Designs

When Balaam rose up and returned to his place, and Balak went his way, two conspirators departed having utterly failed in their designs against Israel. This separation reveals three profound truths about Yahweh's sovereignty.

First, Balaam and Balak parted with characters modified by their association with each other—neither emerged unchanged from their collusion. Second, though they parted in this life, they will meet again in the great hereafter, where all accounts are settled: tempter and tempted, oppressor and oppressed, companions in evil and companions in noble enterprise.

Most critically, the desires of evil men against the Church come to nothing. God disappoint the policies of the ungodly with the wind and melts them as wax before fire. The Egyptians designed to kill all male Israelites, yet they missed entirely (Exodus 1:12). When enemies of Christ proclaimed in pride, "Let us break their bands," He that sitteth in heaven laughed them to scorn (Psalm 2:3). At Nazareth, the enraged crowd thrust Christ toward a precipice to cast Him down headlong, yet He passed through their midst and went His way (Luke 4:30). Forty Jews bound themselves by curse to kill Paul, vowing neither to eat nor drink until his death—yet they were utterly disappointed (Acts 23:22).

Why does Adonai thwart wicked schemes? Because He is full of justice and will reward according to works. The expectation of the wicked is pure vanity, offering neither comfort nor assurance.