November 11, 2016
Numbers 22:1, 4-6(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
Israel was nearing the end of their wilderness wanderings. They camped across the Jordan River from Jericho, just north of the Dead Sea. Jericho would be the first city they would conquer in the Promised Land of Canaan (see Joshua 6:1-27). Their present camp was located in the northern part of Moabite territory, which territory stretched more than the entire length of the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. Here is what is recorded in Numbers 22:1 and 4 through 6:
…the children of Israel…camped in the plains of Moab….And Balak the
son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. Then he sent mes-
sengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor…near the [Euphrates] River
…saying: “ Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face
of the earth, and are settling next to me! Therefore, please come at once,
curse this people for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive
them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he
whom you curse is cursed.”
Balak, king of the Moabites, had heard of Israel’s recent victories over two powerful kings and their armies, Sihon, king of the Amorites (see Numbers 21:21-24) and Og, king of Bashan (see Numbers 21:33-35). These two kings, to the north of Moab, had tried to oppose the Israelites traveling through Amorite and Bashanite territories, on their way to invade Canaan. In that opposition they did not succeed! They were utterly wiped out!
So Balak was scared!
But Balak also knew of a prophet who had a powerful reputation – Balaam, the son of Beor! He lived more than 350 miles to the north, near the city of Carchemish, by the Euphrates River. While that was a long, expensive, and weary trip in those days, Balaam’s notoriety made such an undertaking worthwhile in the king of Moab’s eyes! For he had heard concerning Balaam: “…he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:6). The king wanted Israel cursed so he could defeat them and drive them out of the Moabite territory!
Several things happened over the next few months (remember, in those ancient times, things moved at a much slower pace!)
• Balaam is introduced to us as a prophet of the one true God – Israel’s Jehovah God!
▸ He seems to be led by God’s will and way! (See Numbers 22:9-13; 18-21).
▸ He faithfully proclaimed God’s Word! (See Numbers 22:38; 23:5-10; 16-24; 24:2-9; 13).
▸ It is said of him, “…the Spirit of God came upon him.” (Numbers 24:2).
▸ He gave a clear prophecy of the coming Messiah in Numbers 24:17 through 19 – a prophecy so specific it is thought to have helped guide the wise men to the young Jesus! (See Matthew 2:1-10):
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall
come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall arise out of Israel….Out of
Jacob One shall have dominion….
• But we soon learn that Balaam was an opportunist!
▸ God had forbidden him to go to Moab the first time (see Numbers 22:9-12). But when the Moabite emissaries come back with more wealth to entice the prophet, he wavered! (See Numbers 22:16-19).
▸ It says in Numbers 22:31 and 32, “…the Angel of the LORD said to…Balaam…I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.” This is not a testimony describing a godly man!
▸ When it should have become clear to anyone truly devoted to God that the LORD would not curse Israel, Balaam persisted! (See Numbers 23:5-10; 16-24; 24:2-9).
• But Balaam seemed to hold his ground, staying true to Jehovah God in the long run. He never cursed the Israelites, and he did not claim his rich wages because of his apparent obedience to God!
• It is written in Numbers 24:25, “Then Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place….” It seems this is the last we hear of this prophet! But did he go home?
We will do one more blog concerning Balaam, and I think we can learn some interesting things about him – things we will do well to keep in mind as we live in these last days!