Numbers

Numbers 22:1-6

Israel settled in the plains of Moab just across the Jordan from Jericho.  This is about 10 mile north of the Dead Sea

Balak was the King of Moab at the time.  The Israelites were North of the Arnon, in an area that Moab may have claimed possession of, particularly on the defeat of Amorites.  He had seen all that was going on and it struck fear in him.  The Midianites lived in the southern Transjordan area.  These people were descendants of Abraham and Moses’ in-laws.

Balaam is called in to help out. He is identified as the son of Beor at Pethor.  The city of Pethor is about 500 miles straight north near the Euphrates.  This is an area of Arameans.

 In 1967 a Dutch archaeological expedition led by H. J. Franken discovered some inscribed pieces of plaster at a site in Jordan known as Deir ‘Allah. The fragments are apparently written in Aramaic and date to about 850 b.c. They mention Balaam son of Beor, the same figure described as a “seer” in Numbers 22–24. Although the text is very fragmentary, with many breaks and uncertain words, it can be established that Balaam was a seer who received a divine message during the night and that his message was not what his neighbors expected to hear. Whether this text refers to the events described in the Bible is questionable, but it does establish a nonbiblical tradition current in the ninth century of a prophet named Balaam. It may be that Balaam’s notoriety was such that he remained an important prophetic figure for centuries and could thus be identified with the earlier Israelite narratives of the conquest. 

[Matthews, V. H., Chavalas, M. W., & Walton, J. H. (2000). The IVP Bible background commentary: Old Testament (electronic ed., Nu 22:8–20). InterVarsity Press.]

Balaam must have had a reputation with the Midianites or Balak, or both.  In Numbers he is described as a man whose blessings and curses are effective.  In Joshua 13:22 he is described as a soothsayer.  To them, he looked like a person who could help.  Balak aske for a powerful curse to be placed upon them.

Numbers 22:7-21

Balaam was in this business to make money, but would not be paid until after the curse was delivered.  The Elders and king stayed with the prophet as he sought out the Lord.  It’s fascinating that the Lord has a conversation with Balaam.  He knew who these men were.

It appears Balaam didn’t know the covenant relationship of God to these people.  He declared them blessed and he was not to curse them.  This gives the appearance that he had that ability.  Balak sent them home.

Balak sent a contingent of princes to make another try at Balaam with the pledge to honor him greatly. All the riches imaginable would not allow him to curse without God’s permission.  He seemed to understand this.  However, he went back to the Lord with the same question.  The Lord allowed him to go with them if they came to call on him and he only said what the Lord directed.

Numbers 22:22-41

The Lord’s anger seems to come when he was doing what the Lord required of him.  This implies that the Lord saw something inconsistent in his intentions.  The Angel of the Lord stood in the way.  The word ‘adversary’ is actually satan – a word never used as a specific name in the Old Testament.  Balaam get’s frustrated with the donkey for its service. 

The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey.  This is fascinating.  Then Balaam has a conversation with it like that was normal.  The Lord opened his eyes to the spiritual reality.  He ends up flat on his face.  Balaam’s ways were perverse – perhaps thinking he would get permission from another god, or go and do his will instead of God’s.  In any case, his ultimate motivation was getting paid.  He repents and offers to turn back.  The Lord told him to go, but he would go with something different in his heart.

See also Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Joshua 13:22; Joshua 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:1-3; Micah 6:5; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14. 

© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater