Num 22.1-41 tells us the story of Balaam, a famed soothsayer who was known for his incantations in Mesopotamia; Balak the king of Moab sends for him with two deputations to entice him to curse Israel as they are moving towards Moab; Balaam and his donkey are confronted by an angel of the Lord on his journey; Balaam’s preparations for his incantations. This chapter gives Balak’s motives and it is a study in Replacement Theology. There will be two concepts we will need to know to start out with and to keep in mind. First, this story is not about Israel. They are not a part of this story and are not even aware that all of the following is even going on. Secondly, this is not about what happened, but about what did not happen. Unlike war, where Israel fights back in the physical realm, in the spiritual realm Israel has to do…nothing. All the fuss, multiple altars, blessings, arguments, different mountain peaks and the repeated efforts to find the right “angle” to hurt Israel, will all take place without Israel paying any attention to it! Magic and curses are irrelevant against Israel, and they are irrelevant against a true believer. Believers are not to rely on magic or curses either. This story will reveal the only way Israel can fail. There are three things a believer will do when making a mistake, the way of Cain, the error of Balaam and the mutiny of Korah. The way of Cain is jealousy, anger and bitter resentment; the error of Balaam is disregarding the Torah and causing Israel to sin, and to try to get around what God said for personal gain-Jude 11; Num 31.16; 2 Pet 2.16; and the mutiny of Korah is usurping authority and ministry that God has not called you to; to rebel against the ones God has called).
v 1…Then the sons of Israel journeyed and came to the plains of Moab (seed of the father) beyond the Jordan at Jericho (an open plain north of the Dead Sea).
v 2…Now Balak (meaning “destroyer” and that is what he is going to try to do) the son of Zippor (“bird” and Moses had a wife named “Zipporah”) saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites (two powerful kings like Og and Sihon in particular).
v 3…So Moab was in great fear because of the people (thinking they were next), for they were numerous (Israel had a huge army of four corps).
v 4…And Moab said to the elders of Midian (who he had sent for to consult with them-he needed help), “Now this horde will lick up all that is around us (consume us), as the ox licks up the grass of the field (easily).” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at the time.
v 5…So he sent messengers to Balaam (devourer of the people) the son of Beor (burning) at Pethor (“soothsayer”- he will be a type of the religious man who condemn and curse Israel) which is near the River (Euphrates), in the land of the sons of his people (a non-Jew who will be hired by Balak), to call him, saying, “Behold (take note), a people came out of Egypt, behold (see), they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me (near and in his country).
v 6…Now, therefore, please come and curse this people for me (like many religious leaders have done, like the church fathers, Constantine, Martin Luther, etc; but true “prophets” don’t go around cursing people; their jog is to speak exactly what God has said) since they are too mighty for me (to oppose); perhaps I may 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 (ties to flatter him to get his services; Balak believed in curses; when you combine the names of Balaam and Balak you have “Amalek”, the perpetual enemy of Israel, and a picture of the False Messiah).”
v 7…So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian (a case of causeless hatred) departed with the fees (instruments; presents) for divination (of the diviner’s art; money is another aspect to this story) in their hand, and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak’s words to him.
v 8…And he (Balaam) said to them said to them, “”Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord (Yehovah) may speak to me (he may have had some knowledge of the true God and pretended to have some familiarity with him; this made him look more respectable).” And the leaders of Moab stayed with him (the elders of MIdian may have left as soon as they heard that Balaam was going to consult Yehovah, thinking there was no way Yehovah was going to curse his people; or the elders of oab were the main people of tis deputation, and the elders of MIdian weere included).
v 9…Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you (probably in a dream like Abimelech and Laban; not that Yehovah did not know, but this is said to initiate a conversation with Balaam and a leading question; Balaam is a contemporary of Moses and this tells us that God is involved)?”
v 10…And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me (in other words, “See how important I am? He wants to see me!” This is happening today when a president calls a religious leader to the White House).
v 11…Behold, there is a people who come out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them, and drive them out.”
v 12…And God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them; you shall not curse this people for they are blessed (Gen 12.3; Prov 26.2).”
v 13…So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the Lord (Yehovah) has refused to let me go with you (but that is not exactly what God said; he said he cannot go to curse a people who are blessed).
v 14…And the leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us (making it look like Balaam was “holding out” for more money).”
v 15…Then Balak again sent leaders more numerous and more distinguished than the former (thinking the first ones did not treat Balaam with respect).
v 16…And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘Let nothing, I beg you, hinder you from coming to me;
v 17…for I will indeed honor you richly (in his court, with money and riches; this was bait for what he thought was a covetous Balaam; the king gets the impression it’s about money and Balaam is holding out), and I will do whatever you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.’ “
v 18…And 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 do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God (this is a good thing to say, but it was not from his heart; he was covetous as we shall see; he was hoping that God would change his mind and get the riches he desired).
v 19…And now, please, you also stay here tonight and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me (an honest man would have repeated what the Lord told him in verse 12, but he was hoping there would be a change).”
v 20…And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them (God never said he couldn’t go, he said he couldn’t go and curse Israel-v 12), but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.”
v 21…So Balaam arose in the morning (without waiting for the princes), and saddled his donkey (the donkey will symbolize his stubbornness) and went with the leaders of Moab.
v 22…But God was angry because he was going (he can’t go and curse Israel and God knew his heart), and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary (a “satan”) against him (against Balaam’s evil intentions, trying to save him from destruction). Now he was riding his donkey and his two servants were with him.
v 23…When the donkey saw (God opened his eyes) the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword (how Balaam would die-31.8) in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field (to save him), but Balaam struck the donkey to turn back into the way (the common road).
v 24…Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and wall on that side (to keep the soil brom being eroded away; no way out).
v 25…When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself on the wall and pressed Balaam’s foor against the wall, so he struck her again (this so called “seer” could not even discern the presence of the angel).
v 26…And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left (no way to get around him now).
v 27…When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, so Balaam was angry (and really embarrassed now) and struck the donkey with his stick.
v 28…And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she said, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times.”
v 29…Then Balaam said to the donkey (he was so angry he did not even notice he was talking to a donkey; but he may have been used to talking with spirits in various forms so this was no surprise), “Because you have made a mockery (exposing him to embarrassment) of me. If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”
v 30…And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day (ever since you could ride)? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you (to do what has been done so far by going off he road or laying down)?” And he said, “No (he should have known something extraordinary was happening here).”
v 31…Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the round (after he got off the donkey).
v 32…And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times (not to abuse him)? Behold, I have come out as an adversary (“satan”) because your was was contrary to me (GOd knew his heart and he was angling for the money).
v 33…But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live (she saved his life three times).”
v 34…And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back (he knew it was displeasing because he had an evil intent to hurt Israel if possible; this was an outward show, but his heartfelt intent was otherwise).”
v 35…But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go (if you wish, turning him over to his desire to curse Israel for money), but you shall speak only the word which i shall tell you (Balaam will do what God wants, not Balak; prophets are not for sale, but Balaam is; religious men exploit God’s ways for money and get around what God has said).
v 36…When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab (possibly the Ar of 21.13-15), which is on the border, at the extreme end of the border (between Moab and the Amorites).
37…Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you (with wealth and riches and high places of honor)?”
v 38…So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all (that would be agreeable to you)? The word that God puts in my mouth that shall I speak (he couldn’t say what he was inclined to say).
v 39…And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth (a populous city to move Balaam to pity them).
v 40…And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep (for feasting), and sent some to Balaam and the leaders (of Midian and Moab) who were with him.
v 41…Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal and he saw from there a portion of the people (“the end of the camp”-Israel was divided into four corps and they may have camped in the form of a cross-Num 23.10, 23.13; so Balaam is joining forces with Baal to fight Yehovah, so let’s take a look at the Canaanite gods. Ballam is going to their high places in 22.41, 23.14 and 23.28. He will build seven altars at each spot with a bull and ram offered at each altar. There will be a total of 21 bulls and 21 rams, cursing is expensive. The main god of the Canaanites was “El” and he had a brother named “Dagon.” The son of Dagon is Baal or the “son of god” and he is “prince” and “Lord” of the earth, a “storm god.” There is another son to El called “Mot” and he is the god of death. Another god is “Yam” and he is prince of the sea. If Baal fought Yam and prevailed, then we have the seasons of the year. But if Mot prevailed over Ball, then famine would happen. Everything they saw fit this story and it explained natural occurrences like floods, droughts, wind, rain, snow, the moon and sun, etc. Yehovah is seen as a competitor and that is why he has some of the same titles (El, prince, son of God, Lord of the earth, etc). Psa 42.11 says the earth is Yehovah’s and all it contains. Yehovah “combats” the gods to take what is rightfully his. This goes on today. Money decides what is and isn’t done. Religious men want to do things so that people will come and give more money, or let’s not do something because people won’t come and give us money. We see this battle of Monotheism versus Polytheism in the Exodus. Competing “powers” or gods against Yehovah, who has all the power. Polytheism is in direct opposition to Yehovah. The Canaanites believed in a “son of God” and a “prince” and “Lord of the earth” and now comes Israel with their one God. The Canaanites are usurping honor, praise and worship from Yehovah. So Balaam joins forces with people who believe in Baal in v 41. They can’t distinguish between a false god and the true God. He will try to”fit in” for money. Has Baal gone away today? Not really. Believers must take a stand and speak the truth, and must not compromise the truth for the sake of unity. Balaam is not going to curse Israel, but will bless them, and his prophecies in Num 23-24 are Messianic).
Leave a Reply