Numbers 22

CHAPTER 22

Balak Summons Balaam (22:1–20)

1–6 The Israelites were now encamped on the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan River, just across from Jericho, the first city in Canaan that Israel would attack (Joshua Chapter 6). Because the Israelites were so numerous and had obviously been blessed by God, Moab’s king, Balak, was afraid they would overcome him just as they had overcome Sihon and Og⁷⁶ (Numbers 21:21–35). Therefore, Balak decided that the only way Moab could save itself from Israel’s attack was by taking away Israel’s blessing and replacing it with a curse. So in cooperation with the elders of Midian,⁷⁷ Balak sent for Balaam, the most famous diviner (sorcerer) of that time, and asked him to come and put a curse on Israel (verse 6). If Balak couldn’t defeat Israel by ordinary warfare, maybe he could by spiritual warfare.

Balaam lived near the Euphrates River (verse 5), and made his living by pretending to influence the various gods of that region. It was thought that he had the power to bring either blessings or curses on people—which he was happy to do if he was paid enough money for it. Although Balaam referred to the Lord as my God (verse 18), he was not a believer in the God of Israel; he assumed that Yahweh was just another deity he could manipulate for his own financial gain (2 Peter 2:15). Indeed, Balaam is condemned in Scripture as an enemy of God and Israel (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Furthermore, sorcery and divination such as Balaam practiced was strictly prohibited by God’s law and was punishable by death.⁷⁸

7–12 After the delegation from Balak had presented their request (and their payment) to Balaam, then God came to Balaam (verse 9), perhaps in a dream. Thinking he was speaking to an ordinary god, Balaam told the Lord that Balak had asked him to put a curse on the Israelites. The Lord told him he must not do so—“because they are blessed” (verse 12). The Israelites were God’s chosen people, about whom God had said: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). Balaam was going to find himself in deep trouble if he tried to curse the people that God had blessed!

13–20 Perhaps Balaam had an idea by now that this God he was dealing with was different from all the others; and so, following God’s instructions, he told the delegation from Balak that he could not go with them. But when Balak sent an even bigger delegation (and likely a bigger payment), Balaam was clearly torn between God’s command and the new offer of money. He didn’t say “No” to the delegation; he waited to see what God’s reaction would be.

Surprisingly, God told Balaam to go to Moab with the delegation; but once he got there he was to do only what God told him (verse 20).

Balaam’s Donkey (22:21–41)

21–23 But God was very angry when he went (verse 22). Why was God angry? Balaam was only doing what God had commanded. But God knew Balaam’s motivation; He knew that Balaam intended to curse Israel and receive his full payment from Balak. So God sent His angel to block Balaam’s way.

Balaam, the famous diviner, the seer, didn’t see the angel—but his dumb donkey did! The donkey turned off the road; Balaam then beat her to get her back on the road.

24–30 Twice more the donkey tried to avoid the angel, and twice more Balaam beat her. Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth (verse 28). This should not surprise us: if the Lord can create humans and animals, certainly He can speak through them if He chooses to.

Verses 28–30 record an amusing conversation between Balaam and his donkey. It appears that Balaam was so frustrated and angry that he didn’t fully realize his donkey was actually speaking!

31–35 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes (verse 31). This may have been a greater miracle than enabling the donkey to speak! Balaam now realized what kind of God he was dealing with. He said, “I have sinned” (verse 34). But later events would show that he did not truly repent.

God told Balaam to proceed on his way to Moab—but to “speak only what I tell you” (verse 35). Herein lies the main point of the story of Balaam: Balaam would not be able to curse Israel as he had planned; instead, much to his surprise, he would end up blessing Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3–6; Joshua 24:9–10). God’s covenant with Israel could not be broken, no matter how much money Balak paid Balaam.

36–41 After mildly complaining about Balaam’s delay in coming, Balak sacrificed point from which he could see part of the animals—probably to Moab’s god Chemosh Israelite encampment. From there Balaam or to the Canaanite god Baal. Then next would be able to curse the Israelites—or so morning he took Balaam up to a high Balak thought!