Who are Balak and Balaam in this passage?

Balak is the king of Moab, a nation living east of the Jordan River. He becomes very afraid when he sees how many Israelites there are and hears about their victories over nearby peoples. Balaam is a well–known diviner who lives far away near the Euphrates River. People believe that the blessings and curses he speaks have real power. Balak sends important men with gifts to hire Balaam to curse Israel. So Balak is the fearful king, and Balaam is the hired spiritual man tempted by honor and money.

Why was Moab so afraid of Israel in this story?

Moab is scared because the Israelites are many and have just defeated powerful Amorite kings. From Moab’s view, this large nation has suddenly camped right next to them. Balak describes Israel like an ox licking up all the grass, meaning he thinks they will remove everything in their path. He does not know that God has already told Israel not to attack Moab. Instead of seeking true peace with God, Moab lets fear grow and turns to schemes and alliances, which only show how little they understand God’s plans for His people.

Why did Balak ask Balaam to curse Israel?

Balak believes that spiritual words can decide battles. He has heard that whoever Balaam blesses is blessed and whoever he curses is cursed. Since he feels too weak to fight Israel with armies alone, he tries to use a curse to weaken them first. This shows his fear and his trust in magic instead of in the true God. Rather than asking God for mercy or trying to live at peace, he spends money and effort on a hired curse, thinking he can control what happens to a people whom God has already blessed.

What does this passage teach about God’s blessing and curse?

The passage shows that when God blesses a people, no curse can overturn that blessing. God tells Balaam clearly that he must not curse Israel, because they are already blessed. Even when Balak sends more honored princes and larger promises, God does not change His mind. Later, when Balaam travels with them for his own gain, God sends an angel to block his way and even opens the donkey’s mouth to stop him. All of this shows that human words and magic cannot undo what God has decided to bless.

Why was God angry with Balaam if He allowed him to go?

God first told Balaam plainly not to go with the men and not to curse Israel. When Balaam asked again, God allowed him to go, but only to speak what God would give him. Balaam’s heart, however, was not right. He was drawn by the promise of honor, silver, and gold. So when he went, God’s anger burned because Balaam was moving from greed, not simple obedience. The angel of the Lord blocking the way, and the donkey’s strange behavior, show that God saw Balaam’s path as twisted, even though Balaam tried to cover it with religious words.

What is the meaning of Balaam’s talking donkey?

The talking donkey is a clear sign that God is in full control, even over nature. Three times the donkey sees the angel of the Lord with a drawn sword and turns aside, saving Balaam’s life, while Balaam sees nothing and only beats her. God then opens the donkey’s mouth so she can ask why she is being struck. This exposes Balaam’s blindness and stubbornness. After that, God opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel. The scene shows that even an animal can see more than a greedy man when God withholds sight, and that God will use surprising means to stop sin.

What does this story show about Balaam’s heart and motives?

Balaam’s words sound respectful toward God, but his actions reveal a double heart. He knows he should only speak what God says, yet he keeps looking for a way to go with Balak’s men. When the first group is turned away, he still invites the second group to stay the night so he can ask God again, hoping the answer will change. He mentions silver and gold in a way that shows he is thinking about the reward. His path is called “perverse,” meaning bent and corrupt. He wants to serve God and money at the same time, which cannot last.

How does this passage show God’s protection of His people?

God protects Israel even when they do not see the danger. They are camped peacefully in Moab’s plains while Balak plots and sends for a diviner. God steps in at every point. He tells Balaam not to curse them because they are blessed. When Balaam still goes, God sends His angel as an adversary on the road and uses the donkey to stop him from being killed. Later, God will only allow words of blessing to come from Balaam’s mouth. All of this happens without Israel needing to fight or argue, showing God watching over them.

Why does God use a flawed man like Balaam in this account?

God sometimes uses people whose hearts are not truly loyal to Him to carry out His purposes. Balaam is mixed: he knows about the Lord, yet he loves reward and practices forbidden divination. God still chooses to put true words in Balaam’s mouth and turns a hired curse into blessing. This shows that the power lies with God, not with the person speaking. It also warns us not to confuse spiritual gifts or correct words with a faithful heart. God can even speak through a donkey, so being used by God does not prove someone is godly.

How can this story of Balak and Balaam apply to my life today?

This story pushes us to ask what we run to when we feel afraid. Balak ran to his own plans and hired spiritualists instead of seeking the true God. Balaam knew something of God, but his love of money pulled him toward disobedience. We can learn to trust God’s promises instead of trying to control everything. It also reminds us that no curse, plan, or gossip can undo what God has decided for His people. When we face pressure to twist God’s words for gain, we are called to speak only what He says, even if it costs us.

Num.22.1

Numbers 22:1

KJV

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

Balak Summons Balaam

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 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.

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.

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.

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

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?

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.

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.

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.