Numbers 22

Numbers 22 introduces the story of Balaam, a non-Israelite and apostate prophet, and Balak, the king of Moab. As the Israelites approached Moab during their journey to the Promised Land, Balak, fearful of their large numbers, sought to curse them to prevent his defeat. He sent messengers to Balaam, asking him to pronounce a curse on Israel. Though Balaam initially seeks God’s will and refuses, Balak persists, offering greater rewards. Eventually, Balaam agrees to go, but God sends an angel to oppose him on the way. This chapter is famous for the incident where Balaam’s donkey speaks, warning him of God’s displeasure. The story sets the stage for the continued unfolding of Israel's journey and highlights the futility of attempting to curse those whom God has blessed.

Numbers 22:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho.
2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel.

Israel’s recent victory over the Amorites had spread fear among the nations. Balak, the king of Moab, saw how powerful Israel was and became extremely afraid. Moab, feeling threatened, was filled with anxiety over Israel’s numbers and strength, especially as Israel camped near Moab’s territory, preparing to enter the Promised Land. Balak realized that traditional military strength might not be enough to defeat Israel.

Numbers 22:4-6 (NKJV)
4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!
6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty 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 sought the help of Balaam, a well-known diviner, to curse Israel. He believed Balaam’s power to curse or bless would be the key to weakening Israel, as he did not trust in military force alone. Balak's fear was so great that he turned to spiritual means to combat what he saw as an overwhelming force. He believed that a curse would turn the tide in Moab's favor.

Numbers 22:7-8 (NKJV)
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

The delegation from Moab and Midian approached Balaam with payment, expecting him to perform his services. Balaam, recognizing the seriousness of the request, asked them to stay the night so that he could seek guidance from the Lord. This shows that while Balaam was a pagan diviner, he recognized the power of Israel’s God and sought His direction before proceeding.

Numbers 22:9-12 (NKJV)
9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’”
12 And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

God directly intervened by instructing Balaam not to go with the delegation or curse Israel, as they were under His protection and blessing. Despite Balak’s efforts, Israel was already favored by God, and no curse could be effective against them. This demonstrates God's authority and His protective covenant with Israel.

Numbers 22:13-14 (NKJV)
13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.”
14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

Balaam faithfully delivered God’s message to the Moabite delegation, stating that God had refused to allow him to go. The princes returned to Balak with the disappointing news, likely confused by Balaam’s refusal, as diviners were usually motivated by the fees offered for their services.

Numbers 22:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me;
17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’”

Balak was not willing to accept Balaam’s refusal and sent a more prestigious delegation with promises of great wealth and honor. Balak was desperate, hoping that more incentive would convince Balaam to act against Israel. This reflects Balak’s misunderstanding of God’s sovereignty and his belief that human influence and wealth could sway Balaam.

Numbers 22:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though 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 less or more.
19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”

Balaam maintained that no amount of wealth could cause him to go against God's word. His response shows a degree of integrity, though his willingness to consult God again indicates a desire to find some way to benefit from Balak’s offer. Balaam’s actions reveal an internal conflict between obedience to God and greed.

Numbers 22:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”
21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

God gave Balaam permission to go, but with a clear condition: he could only speak what God commanded. Balaam's departure was permitted, but the journey would not go as he anticipated. This sets the stage for the unfolding tension between Balaam’s intentions and God’s will.

Numbers 22:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.

Though God allowed Balaam to go, His anger was kindled because Balaam's motives were wrong. The Angel of the Lord, representing God’s personal presence, appeared as an adversary to Balaam on his journey. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel and veered off the path to avoid the danger, but Balaam, unaware of the angel, struck the donkey in frustration, showing his blindness to God's intervention.

Numbers 22:24-25 (NKJV)
24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again.

The angel blocked the donkey's way a second time, this time in a narrow passage. The donkey, unable to go around, pressed against the wall, injuring Balaam’s foot. Balaam, still oblivious to the spiritual reality around him, responded with more anger, hitting the donkey again, further demonstrating his lack of awareness.

Numbers 22:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

The Angel of the Lord blocked the path a third time, leaving no room for the donkey to maneuver. This time, the donkey, unable to proceed, simply lay down. Balaam’s frustration reached its peak, and he struck the donkey once again, still unaware that God was trying to stop him.

Numbers 22:28-30 (NKJV)
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 to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”
30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.”

In an extraordinary moment, God gave the donkey the ability to speak. The donkey questioned Balaam’s harsh treatment, and Balaam, without thinking, answered the donkey’s questions out of anger, even threatening to kill her. The donkey reminded Balaam of her long history of faithful service, trying to make him realize something unusual was happening, but Balaam was still blind to the spiritual encounter.

Numbers 22:31-33 (NKJV)
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.
32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.
33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

God opened Balaam’s eyes, allowing him to see the Angel of the Lord, and he immediately fell in fear and reverence. The angel rebuked Balaam for his treatment of the donkey and revealed that the donkey’s actions had actually saved Balaam’s life. The angel explained that Balaam’s path was perverse, meaning that Balaam’s heart was not right with God, even though he was technically obeying by going with Balak's men.

Numbers 22:34-35 (NKJV)
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”
35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Balaam, recognizing his sin, offered to turn back, but the angel permitted him to continue on the condition that he only speak the words God would give him. This shows that while God allowed Balaam to proceed, He was still in complete control of Balaam’s actions and the outcome of the situation.

Numbers 22:36-38 (NKJV)
36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory.
37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”
38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.”

Balak, eager for Balaam’s arrival, met him at the border of Moab and questioned why Balaam had delayed. Balak emphasized his ability to reward Balaam, but Balaam responded by making it clear that he had no control over what he would say. Balaam acknowledged that he could only speak what God instructed, indicating that the outcome was entirely in God's hands.

Numbers 22:39-40 (NKJV)
39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth.
40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

Upon Balaam’s arrival, Balak performed sacrifices, a common practice in the ancient Near East to invoke divine favor before significant events, such as the planned curse on Israel. Balak treated Balaam with great honor, showing his expectation that Balaam would perform the curse as requested, despite Balaam’s warnings that he could only speak God’s words.

Numbers 22:41 (NKJV)
41 So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.

Balak brought Balaam to a high place dedicated to Baal, a pagan god, from where they could view the entirety of the Israelite camp. From this vantage point, Balak hoped Balaam would be able to see the full scope of the "threat" posed by Israel and be inspired to curse them. However, despite Balak’s plans, Balaam’s words would be guided by God, setting the stage for the events that follow in the next chapter.