Numbers Chapter 22
The Israelites have been wandering in the wilderness for some 38 years and are now headed to the promised land. Only they are taking a much longer route to get there because of their lack of faith in God. They are now headed towards Moab on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. The king of Moab, Balak, got word that the large population of Israel was headed their way and he was terribly afraid. He had heard about the victories of Israel over such people as the Amorites. This King Balak had also heard about the God of Israel and how He had led them out of Egypt. He knew he would need spiritual help to survive the impending advance of the nation of Israel. King Balak knew just the man who could help him. He knew a prophet named Balaam who had a reputation of being able to relate to the God of Israel (as well as many other gods).
Scripture does not tell us how Balaam who was not a Hebrew came to have an encounter with God. He is not mentioned previously in the Bible. But God can use anyone He wishes to accomplish His plan, and this man Balaam was in for a rude awakening.
Let's Reflect
1. What did King Balak think would happen when the nation of Israel came into his kingdom?
2. Whatever reputation Balaam had as a prophet must have been well known because the king believed that if Balaam prophesied on his behalf (“put in a good word for him with God”) then he would be successful in fighting off the Israelites. We know right from the start that Balaam may have heard previously from God, but he was a corrupt prophet. What did the king’s men bring to the prophet to “hire his services”?
3. As the hired prophet of the king, what did the king want Balaam to do for him?
4. Balaam invited the king’s messengers to stay in his house while he took time to pray and ask God for an answer of His will. What did he ask of God and what was God’s answer?
5. When the messengers of the king returned home without Balaam, the king sent even more messengers to persuade Balaam to come. Balaam told them right from the start that God had said that he should not go with them, but then he mentioned something that he really wanted, indicating that he might be persuaded. What did he suggest to the messengers in a manipulative statement that showed Balaam’s true heart?
6. In verse 20 we have a seemingly peculiar statement of God to Balaam. God knew his true heart and so he knew that for the right persuasion of these men, Balaam was going to go. So, God told him to go but God was going to give Balaam a rude awakening. What else did God tell Balaam to do when he went with the king’s messengers?
7. God would rather that Balaam listen to the instructions He had first given to Balaam. The Bible tells us that God was angry with him and caused something to stand in the road in front of the donkey Balaam was riding. What was standing in the road?
8. The donkey that Balaam rode on saw this figure and he would not move forward. In fact, the donkey moved sideways into a wall crushing the foot of Balaam. What did Balaam do in retaliation?
9. And then something rather crazy happened, God caused the donkey to speak to Balaam. Did you notice how there is no recorded surprise in Balaam’s words that he is having a conversation with a donkey? What did the donkey say?
10. When God opened his eyes, he saw the angel standing in the road. The angel held a sword. The angel told him his ways were perverse and if it weren’t for the donkey’s actions what would have happened to Balaam?
11. This really got the attention of Balaam. What did he do?
12. Balaam with his new-found faith and resolve to listen to God, went with King Balak’s men. What did he tell the king when he arrived?
