Numbers 22

Numbers 22:1

21:3122:1 The exact route of the Israelites is difficult to reconstruct. It is suggested that they basically moved east from Mount Hor, then north outside the western boundary of Edom to the River Zered. They followed the Zered eastward between Edom and Moab, then north along Moab’s eastern boundary to the Arnon, then west to the King’s Highway. They conquered Sihon, King of the Amorites, then pushed north to conquer Bashan, the Kingdom of Og. Bashan was rich pastureland east of the Jordan and north of the place where Israel would cross the Jordan into the land. Having conquered Bashan, the Israelites returned to the Plains of Moab . . . and camped there across from Jericho (v. 1). These plains had been taken from Moab by the Amorites (Num_21:26), but the name of Moab lingered on.

Numbers 22:2

III. EVENTS ON THE PLAINS OF MOAB (22:236:13) A. The Prophet Balaam (22:225:18)

1. Balaam Summoned by Balak (22:2-40)22:2-14 When the Moabites, to the south, heard how the Amorites had been conquered, they became terrified (unnecessarily, see Deu_2:9). Therefore Balak, the king, sought to hire the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Though a heathen prophet, Balaam seems to have had some knowledge of the true God. The Lord used him to reveal His mind concerning Israel’s separation, justification, beauty, and glory. The first attempt to get Balaam to curse is recorded in verses 7-14.

The messengers of Balak came to Balaam with the rewards of divinationthat is, with rewards for him if he would successfully pronounce a curse on Israel. But God told him that he must not curse the people because the Lord had blessed them. Balak means “waster.” Balaam means “swallower of the people” or “confuser of the people.” 22:15-21 Balaam’s second try is recorded next. Balaam knew what God’s will was, yet he dared to go before the Lord, perhaps in hopes that there would be a change of mind. The Lord told Balaam to go with Balak’s men but to do only what the Lord told him. Balaam’s reason for going is clearly pointed out in 2Pe_2:15-16. He was motivated by his love of “the wages of unrighteousness.” He is typical of the “hireling prophet” who prostitutes his God-given ability for money. 22:22-27 The “Angel of the LORD” (v. 22) was Christ in a preincarnate appearance. Three times He stood before Balaam and his donkey to hinder him, because He knew his motives. The first time the donkey saw the Angel and detoured into a field. For this, the poor animal was struck by Balaam. The second time the Angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards. The terrified donkey crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall and again was abused. The third time the Angel confronted them in a narrow pass. The frustrated donkey lay down on the ground and received a third thrashing from Balaam. Even a donkey, the symbol of stubbornness, knew when to quit, but not the stubborn, willful prophet! 22:28-40 The donkey was given the power to speak to Balaam, rebuking him for his inhumane treatment (vv. 28-30). Then Balaam saw the Angel of the LORD with His drawn sword and heard Him explain His mission to hinder Balaam in his disobedience (vv. 31-35). The Angel then permitted the prophet to go to Balak but to speak . . . only the word that God gave him (v. 35). After meeting Balaam, Balak offered sacrifices to his god.

Numbers 22:41

2. Balaam’s Oracles (22:4124:25)22:4123:12 The next day Balak took Balaam into a high mountain (Pisgah) where he would look down over the tents of Israel. Later, from this same mountain, Moses would take his only look at the Promised Land, and then die (Deu_34:1, Deu_34:5). This chapter and the next chapter contain four memorable utterances by Balaam concerning Israel. The first three were preceded by the offering of seven bulls and seven rams as burnt offerings. The first oracle expressed Balaam’s inability to curse a people whom God had not cursed.

It predicted for Israel a life of separation from the Gentile nations and a numberless posterity. It pictured Israel as a righteous nation whose eventual destiny was something to be coveted (vv. 7-10). Balak’s protest against this blessing availed nothing. The prophet had to speak the word of the LORD.