Note: I teach these scriptures in a talk show format. I have some read scriptures and then I would ask questions and we would discuss the answers.
Balak calls on Balaam – Numbers 22:2 - 13
Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
(Num 22:2)
And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel.
(Num 22:3)
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.
(Num 22:4)
Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River [26] in the land of the sons of his people, [27] 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!
(Num 22:5)
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."
(Num 22:6)
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.
(Num 22:7)
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.
(Num 22:8)
Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"
(Num 22:9)
So Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
(Num 22:10)
'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.' "
(Num 22:11)
And God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."
(Num 22:12)
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."
(Num 22:13)
What do you think about Balaam?
And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us."
(Num 22:14)
Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they.
(Num 22:15)
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;
(Num 22:16)
for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.' "
(Num 22:17)
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.
(Num 22:18)
Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me."
(Num 22:19)
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."
(Num 22:20)
So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
(Num 22:21)
Why do you think Balaam inquired of the Lord a second time? Why do you think the Lord gave in to Balaam’s request?
2Pe 2:15-16 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (16) but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
Jud_1:11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Balaam and the Donkey
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. (Num 22:22)
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. (Num 22:23)
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.
(Num 22:24)
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. (Num 22:25)
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.
(Num 22:26)
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.
(Num 22:27)
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?"
(Num 22:28)
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!"
(Num 22:29)
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."
(Num 22:30)
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.
(Num 22:31)
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.
(Num 22:32)
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."
(Num 22:33)
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."
(Num 22:34)
Did Balaam repent? What is wrong with the question Balaam asks?
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.
(Num 22:35)
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.
(Num 22:36)
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?"
(Num 22:37)
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."
(Num 22:38)
Was Balaam a prophet of God?
Why did God use Balaam in spite of his disobedience and pursuit of money?
Mic_6:5 O My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, From Acacia Grove [16] to Gilgal, That you may know the righteousness of the Lord."
So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth.
(Num 22:39) Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him. Num 22:40) 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.
(Num 22:41)
Balaam’s Advice to Balak
Numbers 25:1 – 3
Num 25:1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove,* and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.
Num 31:16 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.
Why do you think Balaam gave Balak this advice?
Balaam’s Plight
Num_31:8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of those who were killed--Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. Balaam the son of Beor they also killed with the sword.
Jos_24:9 'Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 'But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. So I delivered you out of his hand.
