Balak Seeks Out Balaam
Numbers 22, verse 1. Now the children of Israel broke camp and camped west of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. Numbers 22, verse 2. So when Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites, Numbers 22, verse 3. and Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people, because they were many, and Moab was irritated because of the children of Israel, Numbers 22, verse 4. then Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this congregation will lick up everything around us, as a young bull licks up the grass of the field.” Now Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. Numbers 22, verse 5. Then he sent ambassadors to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the river in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “Look, a people came from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth and are settling next to me. Numbers 22, verse 6. Therefore, come at once, and curse this people for me, for they are stronger than we. If we would be able to strike some of them, then I could drive them out of the land, for I know he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” Numbers 22, verse 7. So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with their divinations in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. Numbers 22, verse 8. Then he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back to you whatever words the Lord may speak to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. Numbers 22, verse 9. God then came to Balaam and said to him, “Who are these men with you?” Numbers 22, verse 10. So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent to me, saying, Numbers 22, verse 11. ‘Look, a people came out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth and are settling next to me. Therefore, come at once, and curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to strike them and drive them from the land.’” Numbers 22, verse 12. Then God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; neither shall you curse the people, for they are blessed.” Numbers 22, verse 13. So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the rulers of Balak, “Return to your lord, for God is not allowing me to go with you.” Numbers 22, verse 14. Therefore, the rulers of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam is unwilling to come with us.” Numbers 22, verse 15. Balak yet again sent rulers, more numerous and more honorable than these. Numbers 22, verse 16. When they came to Balaam, they said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, ‘I beg of you not to hesitate in coming to me; Numbers 22, verse 17. for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say. Therefore come and curse this people for me.’” Numbers 22, verse 18. Then Balaam answered and said to the rulers 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 God, to make it little or great in my mind. Numbers 22, verse 19. Now therefore, stay here tonight, so I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”
Balaam and His Donkey
Numbers 22, verse 20. Thus God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If these men are present to summon you, rise and follow them; but the word I speak to you—that you shall do.” Numbers 22, verse 21. So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the rulers of Moab. Numbers 22, verse 22. Then God was very angry because he went, and the Angel of God stationed Himself to divert him from his purpose. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. Numbers 22, verse 23. When the donkey saw the Angel of God standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey with his staff to turn her back onto the road. Numbers 22, verse 24. Then the Angel of God stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. Numbers 22, verse 25. Now when the donkey saw the Angel of God, she pushed herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot; so he struck her again. Numbers 22, verse 26. Then the Angel of God went and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. Numbers 22, verse 27. So when the donkey saw the Angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam became angry, and struck the donkey with his staff. Numbers 22, verse 28. Then God opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you struck me this third time?” Numbers 22, verse 29. Balaam then said to the donkey, “Because you abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” Numbers 22, verse 30. So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you rode from your youth to this very day? Did I ever show such utter disregard for you?” He replied, “No.” Numbers 22, verse 31. Then God 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 and worshiped. Numbers 22, verse 32. The Angel of God then said to him, “Why did you strike your donkey a third time? Behold, I came out as your adversary, because your way was not acceptable before Me. Numbers 22, verse 33. So when the donkey saw Me, she turned aside from Me this third time. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would have killed you by now, and let her live.” Numbers 22, verse 34. Then Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I sinned, for I did not know You met me as an adversary on the road. Now therefore, if my way is not acceptable to You, I will turn back.” Numbers 22, verse 35. The Angel of God then said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word I may speak to you, this you must be careful to speak.” So Balaam went with the rulers of Balak.
Balak Receives Balaam
Numbers 22, verse 36. Now when Balak heard Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the borders of the Arnon, the boundaries of his territory. Numbers 22, verse 37. Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not actually able to honor you?” Numbers 22, verse 38. Balaam then said to Balak, “Look, I did come to you. Shall I now be able to say anything? Whatever word God may put in my mouth, this I must speak.” Numbers 22, verse 39. So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to unwalled encampments. Numbers 22, verse 40. Then Balak sacrificed sheep and young bulls, and he sent some to Balaam and to the rulers with him.
Balaam's First Prophecy
Numbers 22, verse 41. When morning came, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the pillar of Baal; and he showed him part of the people from there.