Numbers 22

Numbers 22:1-6

**Part Four: On The Plains of Moab (Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Numbers 24; Numbers 25; Numbers 26; Numbers 27; Numbers 28; Numbers 29; Numbers 30; Numbers 31; Numbers 32; Numbers 33; Numbers 34; Numbers 35; Numbers 36)

I. THE STORY OF BALAAM (Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Numbers 24)

A. SUMMONS OF BALAK (Numbers 22:1-6)

TEXT**

Numbers 22:1. And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.

2. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 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. 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: 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 curest is cursed.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 22:1. Then the people of Israel set out, and they camped in the plains of Moab on the far side of the Jordan by Jericho.

2. And Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3. And Moab was very frightened by the people, because they were numerous; and Moab was overcome by fear because of the children of Israel. 4. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, This horde will now lick up everything around us, just as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Balak, the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5. So he sent messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the earth, and they are camping opposite me. 6. Come now and curse this people for me, for they are too strong for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.

COMMENTARY

When the Israelites bypassed Moab on their journey toward Canaan, it must have relieved the Moabites greatly. Now, after they have delivered stunning defeats to the Amorites of Sihon and Og, and have taken residence in the near vicinity of Moab, fear enters the heart of Balak the king. Gilead and Bashan have fallen, and Moab would be a logical next step. Since the Israelites are a threat to more than the Moabites alone, and since they are so numerous, Balak appeals to Midian for help. More closely related to the Israelites than were the Moabites or the Ammonites, the Midianites lived to the east of Moab. They derived their livelihood from their herds and from the caravan trade, (Genesis 36:35), and were nomadic in life style. Although the threat to Moab was more immediate than that to Midian, it was real enough to give substance to Balak’s appeal.

When the account introduces Balaam into the history of Israel, we are brought face to face with one of the most mysterious and intriguing people in all the Word of God. A native of Pethor, on the bank of the Euphrates in Mesopotamia, he was quite evidently a widely known soothsayer whose counsel was sought now by Balak. He appears suddenly upon the scene in the history of Israel, playing a role of no little importance. Like Melchisedec and Cyrus, he is one of a select few whom God chose from outside the Israelite nation for His good purposes. Everything we know of him is developed in this one circumstance, and in the later notice of his death (Numbers 31:8; Numbers 31:16). His fame was evidently widespread, since his coming to Moab involved a trip of well over four hundred miles, if Pethor is properly identified as Pitru, near Carchemish.

Opinions regarding Balaam have generally divided into two camps. Some have considered him a wizard and false prophet, an idolator who was compelled to bless Israel against his personal will. Others have thought him a genuine prophet whose downfall was occasioned by greed and ambition. As a matter of fact, there may be some truth in both positions since he seems to undergo a shift of character as the account unfolds. His name suggests that he belonged to a family in which the magical arts was inherited; hence, he is properly thought of as a wizard. Furthermore, he is never spoken of by the common term for a prophet (nabbi). The term used for him in Joshua 13:22 is translated properly as soothsayer, a term never used of a prophet of God. On the other hand, Balaam has a specific knowledge of Jehovah, and his words, at least at the outset, are exactly what Jehovah called upon him to speak. In the presence of Balak and his messengers, he would call upon the Name (Numbers 22:8 ff.). At some earlier time at least, he had used auguries in his work, (Numbers 24:1), but when he speaks for Jehovah, these means are unnecessary. It is in his favor that he rejected the request of Balak consistently to condemn Israel; but his downfall came when he betrayed his own conscience. The consistent answer to the full character of this enigmatic man remains in large part a matter of conjecture.

Although it had been forty years since Israel departed from Egypt, Balak quite properly looks upon them as much more than a disorganized, nomadic people. He may remember the accounts of their miraculous delivery from the oppressing nation, as well as the record of divine provision of their needs in a bitter territory; more recently, the ease with which they have won victories over the northern neighbors has caused Balak to show due concern. Even though they had circumvented his land, they are now a greater threat, having cut off Moab from any assistance from the North: and Midian, to whom he makes his request, is a small, almost insignificant people. The king seems backed into a corner. His move to call Balaam is an act of desperation. What people had Balaam cursed, and which had he blessed? We have no way of answering. Had he, indeed, by some prior power granted of the Lord been called upon to act in His behalf toward another nation? We can only guess. It may be that Balak is indulging in flattery as he expresses his confidence in Balaam, or that he relies upon his own superstitious nature by trusting in one who has come from a family noted for their auguries. Whatever the actual situation may be, the messengers are charged to bring him back with them to curse Israel.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

If the Israelites had intended to attack Moab, why had they not done so before they marched around the land?

Upon what basis does Balak appeal to Midian for help against the Israelites?

How were the Midianites related to the Israelites, if at all? the Moabites?

Using a good Bible encyclopedia or other sources, tell of the many possible methods Balaam might have used in his conjuring.

How might Balaam have known anything about Jehovah?

What later facts are known about Balaam?

Why should Balak have sent so far away for a soothsayer?

How did he know of Balaam?

Discuss fully the varying opinions of Bible scholars about Balaam.

Why are the Israelites now a much greater threat than -when they marched around Moab?

Numbers 22:7-14

B. GOD’S PROHIBITION vv. 7-14 TEXT

Numbers 22:7. 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. 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.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 22:7. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left with the fees of their divining in their hand; and they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s words. 8. And he said unto them, Spend the night here, and I will bring back word to you according to the Lord’s message to me; and the princes of Moab lodged with Balaam. 9. And God came to Balaam and said Who are these men with you? 10. And Balaam said to God, Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent unto me, saying, 11. -Behold, a people has come from Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Come now and curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out.-’ 12. And God said unto Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. 13. So Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your own land; the Lord has refused to let me go with you. 14. So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.

COMMENTARY

Balaam’s rejection of the messengers of Balak has been variously interpreted. IB jump quickly to his defense, calling him … a man of the deepest integrity. wholly committed to be the mouthpiece of God, (p. 250). KD, on the other hand, properly shows that had Balaam been a true prophet he would at once have sent the messengers away and refused their request, as he must then have known that God would not curse His chosen people, (p. 166). RCP suggests cryptically that The Holy Spirit rested on Balaam only at night. So too with all other prophets of Gentile nations, (p. 164). The word of the Lord did, in fact, come to Balaam during the night.

Whatever the rewards of divination may have been, certain facts are obvious: Balak no doubt was willing to pay a high price for the soothsayer’s services; here is one of the distinguishing factors between the prophet of God and false prophetssuch rewards were almost without exception refused by God’s men, and the few exceptions allowed him only an insignificant amount which was not to be thought of as payment for services, but a provision for the livelihood of the prophet (see 2 Samuel 4:10; 1 Samuel 9:8; 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 8:8 ff.); charging fees for their services was a practice strictly forbidden to the prophesying priests and prophets (see Micah 3:5; Micah 3:11; Amos 7:12-15; Ezekiel 13:19); Balaam doubtless would have kept the offered reward unless he was instructed by the Lord not to do so.

God did not need to ask Balaam the identity of his visitors for His own sake. The probable reason for this question is to call Balaam’s attention to the type of men and their proposal, both of which he is entertaining. Their request is in direct contrast with what he knows to be the will of God; it should have been unnecessary for him to await further word. That he has delayed his answer is evidence that the temptation was strong. The response of Balaam leaves us to infer that he hopes now to influence God and perhaps even to change His course of action. He is open about his answer to the degree that he does not misrepresent the essential facts of the situation. He certainly could not have fooled the Lord about this. God replies in simple, Unequivocal terms: His people are not to be cursed, and Balaam must dispatch his guests without concession of any kind. It is done, and they return to Balak empty handed.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

Show what motives Balaam might have had in dismissing the men sent by Balak.

Under what conditions might a prophet of God accept any payment when he rendered a service in God’s name? When could he not?

Why did God ask Balaam about the messengers and their mission?

What had been indicated by Balaam’s asking the men to remain overnight?

On what basis might Balaam have hoped that God would allow him to go to Balak?

Numbers 22:15-41

C. BALAAM YIELDS TO BALAK vv. 15-41 TEXT

Numbers 22:15. And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. 16. And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, let no thing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 17. For I will promote thee unto very great honor, 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. 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.

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. 2 3. 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 smittem me these three times? 29. And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now I would 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. 31. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in his 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 displeases thee, I will get the princes of Balak.
23. And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moal, 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 honor? 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.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 22:15. Once more Balak sent princes, more and more honorable than they. 16. And they came to Balaam and said to him, Thus says Balak, the son of Zippor: -Let nothing prevent you from coming to me: 17. for I will promote you to a very high position, and I will do whatever you say to me; come and curse this people for me, I beg you.-’ 18. But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do more or less. 19. Please, now, stay here tonight also so that I may know what more the Lord will say to me. 20. And God came to Balaam at night and said unto him, If the men come to call you, rise up, go with them. But say only what I tell you; that is what you are to do. 21. So Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

22. But God’s anger burned because he went; and the angel of the Lord stood in the way as his adversary. Now Balaam was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23. And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the path, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned aside out of the road, and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her back to the road. 24. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on each side. 25. And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26. Then the angel of the Lord went on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with a rod. 28. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times? 29. And Balaam said, Because you mocked me, I wish I had a sword in my hand? then I would kill you. 33. And the donkey replied to Balaam. Am I not your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever been disposed to do this way to you? And he said, No. 31. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the path, with drawn sword in hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to confront you because your actions are against me; 33. and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you now and let her live. 34. Then Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, because I did not know you stood in the path against me; therefore, if it displeases you now, I will go back again. 35. And the angel of the Lord said, to Balaam, Go with the men; but you shall only speak the words which I speak unto you. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
23. Now when Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the boundary of Arnon, at the farthest border. 37. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not send and call for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I unable to honor you? 38. Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I have come to you! Do I have any power to speak to you at all? The message God puts in my mouth is what I must speak. 39. Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzzoth. 40. And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent to Balaam and the princes who were with him. 41. And on the next day Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal; and from that point he could see the greatest number of the people.

COMMENTARY

We may assume that Balak, unwilling to believe that Balaam would refuse his request entirely, has supposed the refusal is based upon his not offering a sufficient reward. He therefore sends a second set of messengers, of a higher station than the first, with a virtual blank check offer to do whatever Balaam may ask if he will curse Israel. To Balak, it is simply the second stage in the common Oriental process of haggling for a price. The use of flattery is as much a part of this process as is the increase of the price; and his using the more honorable princes is to the same purpose. To what honor could Balak have promoted Balaam? The offer is not specific, but it might have been the customary unto one-half of my kingdom such monarchs were wont to offer; or he might have had in mind a special place of well-paid service in the practice of his auguries. In any event, the request has not changed: he wants the Israelites cursed. The reply of Balaam seems convincing enough. He will abide by the instructions of God, regardless of the offer. If his words were sincerely spoken, it is exceedingly difficult to understand the incidents which follow. His later actions are better understood if we adopt the analysis of KD: His thirst for honour and wealth was not so overcome by the revelations of the true God, that he could bring himself to give up his soothsaying, and serve the living God with an undivided heart. Thus it came to pass, that through the appeal addressed to him by Balak, he was brought into a situation in which, although he did not venture to attempt anything in opposition to the will of Jehovah, his heart was never thoroughly changed; so that, whilst he refused the honours and rewards that were promised by Balak, and pronounced blessings upon Israel in the strength of the Spirit of God that came upon him, he was overcome immediately afterwards by the might of the sin of his own unbroken heart, fell back into the old heathen spirit, and advised the Midianites to entice the Israelites to join in the licentious worship of Baal Peor (chapt. Numbers 31:16), pp. 162, 163.

For the second time, Balaam extends the hospitality of his home to the king’s legates. But what more could he expect God to say which had not already been said? Must God repeat His instructions again and again to confirm the details? Unless Balaam had been susceptible to coveting the reward, on the remote hope that God had changed His will, he would have needed no further word whatever. But on matters of this kind, it is totally inconceivable that God should have changed the message in any details whatever. To insure that His will is known to Balaam, He appears during the night. The instructions, while superficially different in allowing Balaam to go with the king’s messengers, yet retains the firm instructions that the seer is to speak nothing more nor less than he is told by Jehovahhardly what the man had wanted. It is inferred (RCP p. 167), that there is great significance in the fact that Balaam saddled his animal himself: he arose in great haste, eager to set forth on the journey, and still hoping for some consideration which would favor his own will. PC hypothesizes that Balaam was permitted to go with the men in order that he might eventually be punished for his covetousness and his longing to disobey God, (p. 292).

God’s use of the ass in the manner which follows should not surprise us unduly, however unnatural it might seem at first glance, we must confess its effectiveness. If the event is unique, this fact alone in no way mitigates against the account itself. The angel, invisible to Balaam, is observed by the ass. The seer’s eyes had been momentarily rendered incapable of seeing God’s messenger (see Numbers 22:31). Something of Balaam’s haste in the trip is indicated by his anger in beating the animal (Numbers 22:23). He would brook no delay; but the Lord had other plans. The impatience of Balaam is indicated again when he attempts to ride through the blocked path, much against the wish of the ass, whose reaction results in crushing the foot of Balaam against the vineyard wall beside the road. In a final move to resist the angel, the ass balks, falling to the road. It is the final indignity, and God speaks through the mouth of the steed; Balaam engages it in conversation. This is not as strange as it might seem at first thought, since Balaam, as a prophet, had heard God speak in various means in the past; he may have used such a method himself, by some sort of trickery, to impress his clientele; and, being bitterly angry at the moment, he might have responded without any deep thought whatever to the astonishing circumstances (see PC, p. 293).

The appearance of the angel of God is made possible at this time when the eyes of Balaam are opened. Balaam does not need to ask his identity or, in fact, his mission. He has come, not to rebuke the seer for his cruelty to a dumb animal, but to chastise him for his perversity. Balaam is by no means flattered to learn that the ass has been more responsive to the manifestation of God’s influence than has he. Now he learns that God is not displeased that he should go with the men of Balak. His intentions and his hope for evil gain are at the seat of his problem. Ideally, his conscience should have been awakened by the episode. Perhaps he struggled within himself whether or not to continue his trip; or, he may have so hoped to profit from his visit to Balak that his reaction was but momentary. With the stern warning of the angel that he is to speak nothing excepting what he is told, he is sent on his way. When Balaam arrived in Moab, Balak might logically assume that he had come for one reasonto do as he was bidden. Balak hurried to meet his distinguished guest as soon as he reached the northern border at the River Arnon. He issued a mild rebuke that Balaam had not come at the first summons, but was pleased that he had come at all. Immediately Balaam repeated what he had been told to say: he would say nothing except the words God put in his mouth. Then together they proceeded to Kirjath-huzoth, where the king had large herds of animals slaughtered as a sacrifice in honor of Balaam and the honorable men, in anticipation of a favorable verdict from the seer. The following day he was brought to look out upon all the people he had been asked to curse.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

Can you give any reason that Balak had not sent his most important princes to ask for Balaam’s service the first time he made the contact?

Why might he expect Balaam to change his mind upon the second contact?

How does Balak’s offer this time differ from the first?

The answer Balaam gives seems quite convincing. Compare it with his words to the first messengers.

Was it wrong for Balaam to extend an over-night invitation to the princes? why or why not?

Has God changed his mind about the message He will have delivered to Balak?

God appeared to Balaam during the night, and instructed him to return to Moab with his guests. Later He sent His angel to intervene on the trip. How can you reconcile these facts?

Why did Balaam not see the angel which appeared in the road.

How does the man show his impatience to resume his journey?

Explain how the ass was able to talk, and what was the gist of what it said?

Of what actions was Balaam guilty in bringing the Lord to confront him?

Balak’s actions prove he was eager to meet Balaam and hear his prophecies. What did he do?

How resolute was the seer in claiming that he could speak nothing excepting what God revealed to him? Give proof.

Suggest the primary reason Balak might have wanted Balaam to see the multitude of the people in Moab.