The Story of Balak and Balaam

 

The story of Balak and Balaam is detailed in Numbers 22–24. It had been about 40 years since God used Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, and they were nearing the end of their long journey to the Promised Land.

Having traveled from Seir, the land of the people of Esau, and reached the Valley of Arnon, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, requesting passage through his land. However, Sihon refused and instead prepared for war. He attacked Israel at Jahaz, but Israel defeated him, taking over his territory in the process. Israel also captured many other cities, settling in much of the land of the Amorites, including Heshbon and its surrounding villages.

Balak’s Fear and His Request to Balaam

At this point, the Israelites moved toward Moab. When they reached the plains of Moab, they set up camp. Balak, the king of Moab at the time, saw the Israelites camped in vast numbers. He had already heard how the Amorites, who lived near his land, had been completely destroyed by this great people.

After consulting with the elders of Midian, Balak decided to send messengers to Balaam the diviner, offering him precious gifts in exchange for cursing Israel.

Balaam was highly regarded by the Moabites and Midianites as a soothsayer and prophet whose words could bring either blessings or curses. He was the son of Beor and lived in Pethor, near the Euphrates River. His brother, Bela, was a king of Edom.

Balak sent messengers to Balaam, offering him riches to entice him into cursing Israel. Balaam received the messengers and instructed them to stay overnight so he could seek God's direction.

That night, God appeared to Balaam. After Balaam informed Him about Balak’s request, God forbade him from going with them, stating:

"Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed." — Numbers 22:12

In the morning, Balaam informed the messengers that God had forbidden him from going. The messengers returned to Balak and delivered Balaam’s response.

Balak’s Persistence and Balaam’s Journey

Balak was determined, so he sent more distinguished princes with greater promises of wealth and honor. He instructed them to tell Balaam:

"Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me. For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me these people." — Numbers 22:16-17

Balaam reminded them that God had forbidden him from going, but he told them to stay overnight again while he sought further direction. That night, God told Balaam to go with them but to speak only what He commanded.

In the morning, Balaam saddled his donkey and departed with the princes of Moab. However, God became angry with Balaam because he went.

Balaam’s Encounter with the Angel

As Balaam traveled, an angel of the Lord stood in his path, blocking the way. The donkey saw the angel and veered off the path into a field. Balaam, unaware of the angel’s presence, struck the donkey to force it back on the road.

The angel then stood in a narrow path between two vineyard walls. The donkey, seeing the angel again, pressed against the wall, crushing Balaam’s leg. Balaam struck the donkey a second time.

The angel moved ahead and stood in a place so narrow that there was no way to turn left or right. Seeing no way forward, the donkey crouched down under Balaam.

At that moment, God opened the donkey’s mouth, and it spoke:

"What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" — Numbers 22:28

Balaam, in his anger, replied:

"Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee." — Numbers 22:29

The donkey responded:

"Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee?" — Numbers 22:30

Then, God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel standing before him with a sword in hand. Balaam immediately fell to the ground in reverence.

The angel reprimanded Balaam for setting out on this journey against God's will and for striking his donkey. Balaam repented and asked the angel if he should return home. The angel told him to continue but to speak only what God commanded.

Balaam Blesses Israel Instead of Cursing Them

When Balaam arrived, King Balak came to meet him at the border, questioning why he had been so reluctant to come.

"Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?" — Numbers 22:37

Balaam assured him that he would speak only what God revealed to him.

The next morning, Balak took Balaam to a high place at Bamoth-Baal, where he could see a portion of Israel’s camp. Balaam instructed him to build seven altars and offer a bull and a ram on each. He then went to seek God’s word.

When Balaam returned, he declared:

"How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?" — Numbers 23:8

Balak, disappointed, took Balaam to another location, the field of Zophim, where they built seven more altars and offered more sacrifices. Balaam once again spoke God’s word:

"Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel. Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eats of the prey and drinks the blood of the slain." — Numbers 23:23-24

Balak, frustrated, took Balaam to yet another place, the top of Peor. After seven more altars and sacrifices, Balaam, filled with the Spirit of God, blessed Israel instead of cursing them.

Balak, now angry, told Balaam to say nothing more, but Balaam continued:

"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." — Numbers 24:17

After this, Balaam and Balak parted ways.

Lessons from Balaam’s Story

Balaam’s story is a warning to believers. Sometimes, we face situations where a small compromise seems beneficial, even when we know it is not what God desires.

Like Balaam, we may seek approval for what we already know is wrong. But ultimately, when we step outside God’s will, the results never bring true fulfillment.

God sometimes blocks our path—not to harm us, but to protect us from destruction and guide us toward His greater blessings. His will is always better than any earthly reward.

I appreciate your time here. God bless you!