In this chapter, Balaam, the prophet, has arrived in Moab, where Balak, the king, has asked Balaam to come and curse the people of Israel. The chapter begins with Balaam asking Balak to build 7 altars for sacrifices to the Lord, so God will speak to him. “Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the Lord will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” (Numbers 23:3)
God met with Balaam and said, “Go back to Balak and tell him what I told you.” (verse 5) Balaam returned to King Balak and his officials and delivered this prophecy:
“Balak summoned me to come from Aram; the king of Moab brought me from the eastern hills. “Come”, he said, “curse Jacob for me! Come and announce Israel’s doom.” But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? I see them from the cliff tops; I watch them from the hills. I see a people who live by themselves, set apart from other nations. Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust? Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people? Let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs.” (Numbers 23:7-10)
As you can imagine, King Balak is not happy. He eventually requested Balaam to curse a smaller portion of Iraelites since there are so many of them. They, again, offered some burnt sacrifices; Balaam, again, met with the Lord, and then delivered this prophecy:
“Rise up, Balak, and listen! Hear me, son of Zippor. God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! No misfortune is in sight for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the Lord their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king. God has brought them out of Egypt; he is like a strong ox for them. No curse can touch Jacob; no sorcery has any power against Israel!” These people rise up like a lioness; like a majestic lion they stand. They refuse to rest until they have feasted on prey, drinking the blood of the slaughtered!” (Numbers 23:18-24)
Balak responds saying, “If you aren’t going to curse them, at least don’t bless them!” But Balaam replied, “Didn’t I tell you that I must do whatever the Lord tells me?” (Numbers 23:25-26)
The chapter ends with Balak building more altars in preparation for a third prophecy. Oh my goodness...he wants another prophecy? This King is stubborn! He is not listening!
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to walk in compliance with you, so you will walk, protect, strengthen, and bless us like you did with the Israelites. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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