Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Numbers 22
Numbers 22:12God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
God gives Balaam a direct and unmistakable command, establishing that Israel is under His divine protection and blessing, a reality no human can change.Numbers 22:28Then 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?"
In a truly unique moment, God opens the donkey's mouth to speak, using the humble animal to rebuke the prophet for his cruelty and spiritual blindness.Numbers 22:38And Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak."
Upon arriving, Balaam admits to King Balak that his power is limited. He can only speak the words God gives him, setting the stage for God to turn the intended curse into a blessing.
Historical & Cultural Context
A King's Fear and a Prophet's Summons
Having defeated the Amorite kings, the nation of Israel camps on the border of Moab. Their sheer numbers and recent military success strike terror into the heart of Balak, the Moabite king. Fearing his kingdom will be next, Balak concludes that a conventional military response is not enough and decides he needs a spiritual advantage.
A Mission to Curse God's People
Balak sends for Balaam, a famous diviner from Mesopotamia, known for the power of his blessings and curses. The king offers a handsome payment for Balaam to come and curse Israel, hoping to weaken them for battle. This sets up a conflict not between armies, but between a king's desperate plot and God's unshakeable purpose for His people.
Balak's Plan and Balaam's Predicament
The chapter opens on the plains of Moab, where Israel's presence has caused widespread panic. In Numbers 22:1-20, King Balak initiates a plan to neutralize this threat not with swords, but with words, by hiring a prophet named Balaam. This section details the negotiations between the king's messengers and the prophet, revealing a clash between God's clear command and Balaam's wavering, greedy heart.
The First Offer and God's Clear Refusal (Numbers 22:1-14)
1 Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 So Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel.
4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,
5 And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.
6 Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message.
8 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.
9 And God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?"
10 And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
11 Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.
12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13 And Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you."
14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us."
Commentary:
King Balak tries to hire Balaam to curse Israel, but God explicitly forbids it, and Balaam obeys.
The Second Offer and a Divided Heart (Numbers 22:15-21)
15 And Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: 'Let nothing hinder you from coming to me,
17 for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’”
18 But 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 command of the Lord my God to do less or more.
19 Now please stay here tonight also, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”
20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you."
21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
Commentary:
Balak makes a better offer, and though Balaam knows God's will, his greed leads him to ask again. God permits him to go but with a strict warning.
The Donkey, the Angel, and the Blind Prophet (Numbers 22:22-35)
22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary.
23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road.
24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side.
25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again.
26 Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 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?"
29 Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you."
30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."
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 down and fell on his face.
32 And the angel of the Lord said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.
33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.”
34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."
35 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
Commentary:
On the way, Balaam's donkey sees an angel blocking the path and refuses to move, leading to God opening the donkey's mouth to rebuke the spiritually blind prophet.
The Prophet's Arrival (Numbers 22:36-41)
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border.
37 And Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?"
38 And Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak."
39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.
41 And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-Baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people.
Commentary:
Balaam meets King Balak but immediately warns him that he can only speak the words God gives him, not what the king wants to hear.
God's Will in a World of Human Schemes
God's Unstoppable Sovereignty
This chapter powerfully demonstrates that God is in control, regardless of human plans. Balak devises a spiritual attack against Israel, but God intercepts it at every turn, proving that His purpose to bless His people cannot be derailed by fear, political maneuvering, or even a prophet-for-hire.
The Danger of a Divided Heart
Balaam is a complex figure who hears from God but is also motivated by greed. He knows God's will but keeps looking for a loophole that will allow him to collect Balak's reward. His story serves as a timeless warning about the danger of trying to serve both God and wealth.
Spiritual Blindness
The irony of the story is that the professional seer, Balaam, is completely blind to the angel of the Lord standing in his path. It takes a donkey to see the spiritual reality. This theme highlights how selfish ambition and disobedience can blind us to God's presence and clear warnings in our lives.
Lessons from a Talking Donkey
It shows that God's protection is active and absolute. Even when enemies are plotting against you in secret, as Balak did against Israel, God is already working to defend you. He can turn a hired curse into a blessing and ensures that His promise to protect you (Numbers 22:12) stands firm against any opposition.
Balaam's story is a powerful warning against letting greed corrupt your motives. He heard God's voice clearly but was still tempted by the promise of wealth and honor (Numbers 22:17). This reminds you to constantly check your own heart and ensure that your service to God is driven by love and obedience, not by what you can get out of it.
The donkey teaches that God is not limited in how He gets His message across. He can use the most unexpected, humble, or even seemingly foolish things to speak truth and give direction (Numbers 22:28). This should encourage you to be open to hearing from God in surprising ways and not to dismiss a word of correction because it comes from an unlikely source.
God's Blessing Cannot Be Reversed
Numbers 22 reveals that God's sovereign purpose for His people is absolute and cannot be derailed by human fear or greed. Through the strange story of a talking donkey and a conflicted prophet, God demonstrates His power to turn a hired curse into an ordained blessing. The message is clear and personal: God's protection over those He has blessed is unshakable, and He will go to extraordinary lengths to make His will known.
What This Means for Us Today
The story of Balaam is a dramatic reminder to listen for God's voice, even when it comes from an unexpected source. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for the subtle greed that can make us blind to the path God has for us. We are invited to trust in God's unwavering protection and to walk in His blessing, not our own ambition.
- Are there any areas where my desire for personal gain might be conflicting with God's clear will?
- What unexpected 'donkey' might God be using to get my attention right now?
- How can I better trust that God's blessing on my life is secure, regardless of opposition?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter details the Israelite victories that caused the fear in King Balak, providing the direct context for his desperate actions.
The story continues as Balaam, unable to curse Israel, delivers the first two of his four oracles, blessing them instead.
Connections Across Scripture
Peter uses Balaam as a prime example of a false teacher who "loved the wages of wickedness" and was rebuked by his donkey.
Jude warns against false teachers by comparing them to those who have rushed for profit into "Balaam's error."
Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for holding to the "teaching of Balaam," who taught Balak how to cause the Israelites to sin.
Thematic Parallels
This chapter tells another story of a prophet who receives a clear command from God but is deceived into disobeying, with tragic consequences.
Discussion Questions
- God first told Balaam not to go, then gave him permission, but was angry when he went (vv. 12, 20, 22). What does this reveal about Balaam's heart and God's way of dealing with human stubbornness?
- The donkey could see the angel of the Lord when the prophet could not. In what ways might we be spiritually blind today, and what unexpected 'donkeys' might God be using to get our attention?
- Balaam said all the right things about obeying God (v. 18, 38), but his actions showed his heart was tempted by riches. How can we ensure our words and our heart's true desires are aligned in our walk with God?
Glossary
places
figures
theological concepts
Divination
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, which was forbidden for Israelites but common among other nations.
Blessing
A pronouncement of divine favor, protection, and prosperity that, in this context, is established by God and cannot be revoked.
Curse
A spoken declaration calling for harm or misfortune to fall upon someone, which Balak believed could spiritually weaken Israel.