A little help please
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For background information:
Moab is descended from Lot, Abraham's nephew. (See Gen 13:8-11; Ge Chapter 19)
Midian was Abraham's son by Keturah (Ge 25:1-2)
There was no reason for either nation not to welcome Israel in friendship.
Here is an excerpt from my commentary. The hyperlinks will not function. There is a link for a complete download in the about me section of my profile.
Numbers 22
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab across Jordan from Jericho.
across Jordan from the primary sense of מֵעֵ֖בֶר is across or opposite; but even if ‘on this side’ were a legitimate translation, the fact that the plains of Moab are on the opposite side from Jericho would overrule it.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Balak means Empty (Baw lak’)
Zippor means Sparrow (Tseep por’) This is a masculine form of the name of Moses’ wife.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian Midian occupied the land north and east of Moab. Balak is trying to suggest that Israel is a threat to them; perhaps trying to enlist an alliance. (See Is 15:1 )
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Balaam means Destruction of the People (Veel’ ahm)
Beor means Torch (B’ohr)
Pethor means Opened (Peeth ohr’) It is the name of a place in Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates.
From Nu 31:8, we see that there is a connection between Balaam and the Midianites.
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail,
that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed,
and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they
came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and
the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
See Nu 23:11. {Return to: verse 19, verse 20 }
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth
to give me leave to go with you.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
In verse 12, Balaam was told not to curse Israel and that they are blessed. Balaam should not have had anything more to do with the Moabites.
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
Since Balaam did not heed God in verse 12, God decides to handle the situation differently.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
{Return to: 2Pe 2:16 }
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
verses 23-30 I can’t imagine how Balaam could converse with his donkey without recognizing the strangeness of the situation.
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
{Return to: Zc 3:1 }
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. Numbers 23
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an bare (or barren, or treeless ) place.
bare (or barren, or treeless ) (See note at Is 13:2 ) {Return to: Is 13:2 }
4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
verses 1-11 Because Balaam would not heed God in Nu 22:12 he is put in the position of having to defy Balak to his face.
12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.
14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
See Nu 33:47. {Return to: 1Sa 1:1 }
15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
God does NOT change His mind or fail in His promises. This truth must underlie attempts to translate any passage that might appear to contradict it.
20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a wild bull.
23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
{Return to: Eze 19:2 }
25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
I think that the message here for us is that failure to heed when God speaks to us puts us in trouble.
27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. Numbers 24
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
{Return to: 1Sa 11:6 }
3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
{Return to: Is 1:1 }
5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
{Return to: Eze 19:2 }
10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do anything of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
See notes at: Ge 2:9, Ge 24:50.
14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
{Return to: Is 3:12, Is 8:64, Am 2:2, Mt 2:2 }
18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
{Return to: Da 11:433 }
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
{Return to: Jer 49:19 }
22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
{Return to: Is 15:1 }
Balaam had a gift of prophesy from God. He knew better than to use it contrary to God's will; yet He advised Balak how to harm Israel for promise of personal gain. Doing so resulted in his destruction. (Jos 13:22)
Moab is descended from Lot, Abraham's nephew. (See Gen 13:8-11; Ge Chapter 19)
Midian was Abraham's son by Keturah (Ge 25:1-2)
There was no reason for either nation not to welcome Israel in friendship.
Here is an excerpt from my commentary. The hyperlinks will not function. There is a link for a complete download in the about me section of my profile.
Numbers 22
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab across Jordan from Jericho.
across Jordan from the primary sense of מֵעֵ֖בֶר is across or opposite; but even if ‘on this side’ were a legitimate translation, the fact that the plains of Moab are on the opposite side from Jericho would overrule it.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Balak means Empty (Baw lak’)
Zippor means Sparrow (Tseep por’) This is a masculine form of the name of Moses’ wife.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian Midian occupied the land north and east of Moab. Balak is trying to suggest that Israel is a threat to them; perhaps trying to enlist an alliance. (See Is 15:1 )
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Balaam means Destruction of the People (Veel’ ahm)
Beor means Torch (B’ohr)
Pethor means Opened (Peeth ohr’) It is the name of a place in Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates.
From Nu 31:8, we see that there is a connection between Balaam and the Midianites.
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail,
that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed,
and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they
came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and
the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
See Nu 23:11. {Return to: verse 19, verse 20 }
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth
to give me leave to go with you.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
In verse 12, Balaam was told not to curse Israel and that they are blessed. Balaam should not have had anything more to do with the Moabites.
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
Since Balaam did not heed God in verse 12, God decides to handle the situation differently.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
{Return to: 2Pe 2:16 }
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
verses 23-30 I can’t imagine how Balaam could converse with his donkey without recognizing the strangeness of the situation.
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
{Return to: Zc 3:1 }
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. Numbers 23
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an bare (or barren, or treeless ) place.
bare (or barren, or treeless ) (See note at Is 13:2 ) {Return to: Is 13:2 }
4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
verses 1-11 Because Balaam would not heed God in Nu 22:12 he is put in the position of having to defy Balak to his face.
12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.
14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
See Nu 33:47. {Return to: 1Sa 1:1 }
15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
God does NOT change His mind or fail in His promises. This truth must underlie attempts to translate any passage that might appear to contradict it.
20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of a wild bull.
23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
{Return to: Eze 19:2 }
25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
I think that the message here for us is that failure to heed when God speaks to us puts us in trouble.
27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. Numbers 24
{Return to: Table of Contents }
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
{Return to: 1Sa 11:6 }
3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
{Return to: Is 1:1 }
5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
{Return to: Eze 19:2 }
10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do anything of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
See notes at: Ge 2:9, Ge 24:50.
14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
{Return to: Is 3:12, Is 8:64, Am 2:2, Mt 2:2 }
18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
{Return to: Is 3:12 }
20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
{Return to: Da 11:433 }
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
{Return to: Jer 49:19 }
22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
{Return to: Is 15:1 }
Balaam had a gift of prophesy from God. He knew better than to use it contrary to God's will; yet He advised Balak how to harm Israel for promise of personal gain. Doing so resulted in his destruction. (Jos 13:22)
An angel may be speaking to it, or it may be trying to protect you from danger ahead.. jmo
I. The purpose of the story -- to provide an accurate and Divine record of the history of Israel, and to also provide spiritual lessons applicable to all (both Israel and the Church)
II. Lessons from the story of Balak and Balaam:
1. Because God's hand is over God's people, their spiritual enemies became fearful.
2. The enemies of God's people solicit the help of those who are not fully committed to Christ.
3. Balaam was not a true prophet of God, in that he was also involved with enchantments and divinations, so Balak tried to entice Balaam to his side with all kinds of inducements.
4.Balaam was commanded by God not to curse Israel, because they were blessed by God. God's blessings are always upon God's people through Christ, so all things work together for good.
5. Israel's enemies did not give up easily, and neither do the enemies of God's people. They made greater efforts to get Balaam to do Balak's bidding. Balak represents Satan who desires to always bring evil upon the people of God.
6. Since God uses evil for good, He gave Balaam permission to go, but to only speak the words God would give him. But this was actually a test. God's perfect will was that he should not go. God's people are also tested in this manner.
7. Balaam was then confronted by the Angel of the LORD (the pre-incarnate Christ), who would have killed Balaam right there. But Balaam's donkey recognized the danger thrice, would not proceed further, and was beaten severely by Balaam. Then God caused the donkey to speak in human language to Balaam, to show that God was present at that place. The angel of the LORD told Balaam that he had found his ways perverse before God. Which meant that Balaam had been trying to serve two masters (God and Mammon) and this was last straw.
8. Balaam then confessed his sin, and promised to go back home, but the Lord had other plans. Again, he was told to go with the messengers of Balak, but speak only the words he would receive from God.
9. The end result was that each time he was told to curse Israel, he blessed them with words coming from God, speaking only what God would speak. He was even given a prophetic vision of the coming of Messiah and that His star would come out of Jacob.
10. The overall lesson for believers is that when we know the perfect will of God, we should do it without fear or compromise.
II. Lessons from the story of Balak and Balaam:
1. Because God's hand is over God's people, their spiritual enemies became fearful.
2. The enemies of God's people solicit the help of those who are not fully committed to Christ.
3. Balaam was not a true prophet of God, in that he was also involved with enchantments and divinations, so Balak tried to entice Balaam to his side with all kinds of inducements.
4.Balaam was commanded by God not to curse Israel, because they were blessed by God. God's blessings are always upon God's people through Christ, so all things work together for good.
5. Israel's enemies did not give up easily, and neither do the enemies of God's people. They made greater efforts to get Balaam to do Balak's bidding. Balak represents Satan who desires to always bring evil upon the people of God.
6. Since God uses evil for good, He gave Balaam permission to go, but to only speak the words God would give him. But this was actually a test. God's perfect will was that he should not go. God's people are also tested in this manner.
7. Balaam was then confronted by the Angel of the LORD (the pre-incarnate Christ), who would have killed Balaam right there. But Balaam's donkey recognized the danger thrice, would not proceed further, and was beaten severely by Balaam. Then God caused the donkey to speak in human language to Balaam, to show that God was present at that place. The angel of the LORD told Balaam that he had found his ways perverse before God. Which meant that Balaam had been trying to serve two masters (God and Mammon) and this was last straw.
8. Balaam then confessed his sin, and promised to go back home, but the Lord had other plans. Again, he was told to go with the messengers of Balak, but speak only the words he would receive from God.
9. The end result was that each time he was told to curse Israel, he blessed them with words coming from God, speaking only what God would speak. He was even given a prophetic vision of the coming of Messiah and that His star would come out of Jacob.
10. The overall lesson for believers is that when we know the perfect will of God, we should do it without fear or compromise.
Well it establishes that God had contact with the Moabites through prophets.. Balaam was a Prophet,, He was not a Jewish prophet..
Balaam in the end revealed to Balak a way to defeat the Jews and that was by causing the Jews to break their covanant with God. Balaam knew that Balak could not defeat the Jews by fighting them and Being a prophet Balaam could only pronounce bvlessings upon them..
So Balak invited the Jews to come and take part in his pagan celebrations "Numbers 25" and to eat food sacraficed to idols and for his woman to have sexual relations with the Jewish men.. All these acts where to entice the Jews to sin against God to bring the wrath of God down upon the Jews..
Jesus used the example of Balaam in the Book of Revelation in regard to people being drawn away from the truth that saves and ending up making God their enemy::
Revelation 2: KJV
{12} And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; {13} I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. {14} But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.{15} So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. {16} Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
So the Jews did fall for the temptations and God in his wrath caused a great plague to fall upon the Jewish people killing many thousands of them..
So the story sends a message to the People of God that if one is in the right place with God then no one can defeat them and they are safe.. But if they go astray and adopt false doctrines in rebellion against Gods will then even God will turn against them and they will have lost their security in this world and the next..
Balaam in the end revealed to Balak a way to defeat the Jews and that was by causing the Jews to break their covanant with God. Balaam knew that Balak could not defeat the Jews by fighting them and Being a prophet Balaam could only pronounce bvlessings upon them..
So Balak invited the Jews to come and take part in his pagan celebrations "Numbers 25" and to eat food sacraficed to idols and for his woman to have sexual relations with the Jewish men.. All these acts where to entice the Jews to sin against God to bring the wrath of God down upon the Jews..
Jesus used the example of Balaam in the Book of Revelation in regard to people being drawn away from the truth that saves and ending up making God their enemy::
Revelation 2: KJV
{12} And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; {13} I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. {14} But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.{15} So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. {16} Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
So the Jews did fall for the temptations and God in his wrath caused a great plague to fall upon the Jewish people killing many thousands of them..
So the story sends a message to the People of God that if one is in the right place with God then no one can defeat them and they are safe.. But if they go astray and adopt false doctrines in rebellion against Gods will then even God will turn against them and they will have lost their security in this world and the next..
Numbers 22: KJV
20 "And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. {21} And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab."
Balaam did not follow the instruction of God.. The men did not come and wake Balaam up.. Balaam rose up in the morning by himself and decided to go with the princes of Moab on his own initiative..
The main lesson, among others, is o not trade the things of YHWH for a worldly reward, money, status, etc. but rather do the will of YHWH. Not that having money is bad but as soon as one goes astray from YHWH narrow path for worldly possessions, they have made those things more important than the Most High, how much worse to use the gifts He has given for gain outside of His narrow path;
1 Timothy 6:9-10, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Jude 1:10-11, “But these blaspheme that which they do not know. And that which they know naturally, like unreasoning beasts, in these they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! Because they have gone in the way of Qayin, and gave themselves to the delusion of Bil‛am for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Qoraḥ.”
2 Peter 2:12-19, “But these, like natural unreasoning beasts, having been born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheme that which they do not know, shall be destroyed in their destruction, being about to receive the wages of unrighteousness, deeming indulgence in the day of pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes filled with an adulteress, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable beings, having a heart trained in greed, children of a curse, having left the right way they went astray, having followed the way of Bil‛am the son of Be‛or, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but he was rebuked for his transgression: a dumb donkey speaking with the voice of a man restrained the madness of the prophet. These are fountains without water, clouds driven by a storm, to whom the blackest darkness is kept forever. For speaking arrogant nonsense, they entice – through the lusts of the flesh, through indecencies – the ones who have indeed escaped from those living in delusion, promising them freedom, though themselves being slaves of corruption – for one is a slave to whatever overcomes him.”
Mat 6:24, “No one is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cleave to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Yah and mammon.”
As I said, it was a test. Had Balaam given serious consideration to the fact that God approached him on this issue for a reason, Balaam would have backed off altogether. Please note what God said to Balaam originally -- And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt NOT go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. (Num 22:12).
The proper response from Balaam should have been -- "I will not go with them regardless of how many times they entice me.
The proper response from Balaam should have been -- "I will not go with them regardless of how many times they entice me.
The thing that sticks out most to me is that he was so involved with his own thoughts that it didn’t seem to phase him that a donkey was talking. It reminds me of what Abraham said to the dead rich man in torment- that even if someone rises from the dead to warn people about what’s beyond this life, it won’t make a difference- that if they don’t listen to the prophets, neither will they listen to someone who rises from the dead. That is how stubbornly closed-minded most people are.
G-d is not bound the way we are. He is G-d have power over everything, even a jackass. Do not cross G-d, He is good, but nothing is hidden from Him. G-d let him know, He knew and gave a warning. G-d is so multi faceted. There is nothing He controls; he controls all of nature and nothing is hidden from Him. What do I take from it. No matter how "smart" I think I am I cannot out smart G-d. And when the unusual happens I drop to my knees and ask/talk to G-d.