Numbers 22 Come Quickly

Moab has been watching Israel and sees how she has dispatched the Amorites. “Come quickly and curse this people” cries King Balak of Moab to Balaam.

I’m curious how Balaam’s relationship with God came about. This tells us for certain that you didn’t have to be part of Israel, or even a Levite, to have a relationship with God. He is not the first messenger of God we have met since the beginning of the Israelite nation who is outside of the bloodline. Melchizedek was the first. And we know that he was a representation of Jesus. So, God can use ANYONE and ANYTHNG at ANYTIME He chooses.

We will see the “anything” in tomorrow’s installment of this story. For today, we will meet the players in this drama. Let’s slip into the story as Balak wrings his hands over Israel.

♥ ♦ ♥

It has been a wonderful time in Israel. They have been following the Lord and seeing great victories. They are so close to the Promised Land that they could reach out and touch it. God has them camping right across the Jordan from Jericho. This area is in the territory of the people of Moab.

While Israel rejoices and reclines in rest, Moab wrings their hands in worry. The people of Moab, from the lowest to the highest, have born witness to the path Israel has cut through the region. The stories from their exit from Egypt are being remembered and retold. And fear is building in the nations around them.

Moab is afraid that they are next on Israel’s “to conquer” list. The people are crying out to their king for help. They saw the death toll the Amorites endured as Israel made their way through the land. Moab isn’t alone in their fear either. Moab is talking to Midian about their fears.

“This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” (Numbers 22:4)

King Balak is wracking his brain to find a way to stop Israel.

One of Balak’s advisors came to him with a suggestion.

“My king, do you remember the diviner Balaam?”

“I remember hearing about him. Why do you ask?”

“It is said that, when he curses something, it is truly cursed. You could call him and have him curse this people.”

The king’s eyes light up with excitement. “You are right! I remember the power of this man. We must send for him at once!”

Elders from both Moab and Midian band together to bring a message from King Balak to Balam. They will travel to Pethor, where Balaam is staying. On the way they discuss their mission and the man they are going to see.

“He has to help us.”

“I’ve heard that he can be stubborn and only does what his God tells him to do.”

“Surely his God will tell him to do this for us.”

“If his God doesn’t, maybe our purses will.”

“It is a hefty divination fee. But I hear he is worth every bit of it.”

When they contingent finally reach Balaam, they are overjoyed to find him at home. They all dismount their animals and assemble before Balaam. The leader of the group speaks with Balaam as the others unstrap the fee from their saddle.

“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.” (Numbers 22:5-6)

Balaam doesn’t even turn his eyes to the money laid at his feet. “I can only do what the Lord tells me to do. ‘Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.’ (Numbers 22:8)”

The men nod their agreement. Balaam leads them to the place where they will sleep this night. He also prepares a meal for them. He doesn’t not eat with them though, as he does not want them influencing his decision.

When night comes, everyone retires. Balaam goes to bed with expectancy. His bed is the place where he hears the Lord the best. He lays his head down and waits. While he is waiting, he falls asleep.

Balaam is awoken by the voice of the Lord. “Who are these men with you?” (Numbers 22:4) asks the Lord.

Balaam immediately replies. “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘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.’” (Numbers 22:10-11)

The Lord’s voice is firm as he gives Balaam an answer to the king’s question. “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)

Balaam does not argue with the Lord at all. He accepts the answer and returns back to sleep for the rest of the night. First thing in the morning, Balaam rises to deliver his answer. As soon as he sees the men gathered, waiting for his answer, he gives it to them.

“Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” (Numbers 22:13)

The men are about to argue when Balaam walks over to the door and opens it, ushering them from his home. Balaam stands guard by the door until they have all departed. He feels a little guilty that he didn’t offer them anything to eat before ushering them out, but he knew they would try and change his mind if they stayed.

The leaders hurry back to King Balak. They are surprised by Balaam’s answer, and they discuss it on their way home.

“Do you think our fee was too small?”

“He didn’t even LOOK at the purse! It was as if it didn’t matter to him in the least.”

“When he walked to the door to usher us out, I KNEW he wasn’t going to change his mind.”

“I wish there was something else we could do. I HATE bringing bad news to the king!”

“Me too.”

When they reached the city, they were immediately ushered into the king’s presence.

“Where is Balaam? Didn’t he come with you? Bring him in immediately!”

“He did not come with us, my king. He said he would not come at all.”

“Not coming!” moaned the king as he slumped back in his throne. This slump only lasted about a minute before the king had another idea.

“We will an even bigger contingent with more rewards. Surely, he will not decline my command then.”

King Balak summons the highest princes in both Moab and Midian. They will carry ten times the original amount of payment to Balaam. “He HAS to come” thinks the king as he watches this group bow and head to the exit.

The men did not realize that they were repeating the conversation those who had gone to Balaam the first time.

“Do you think he will come? He has already said ‘No’.”

“The size of our purse will convince him.”

“He is said to be very stubborn man.” I suppose that we could try and force him to come.”

“NOT ME!” said the man as he threw up his hands in a surrender gesture.

Balaam is in his garden when they arrive. He looks up from his work and lays down his tools. He is pretty sure he knows why they were here.

Exactly as before, the men dismount and two of them retrieve the payment and lay it at Balaam’s feet. The leader of the group spoke for the king.

“Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’” (Numbers 22:16-17)

Balaam again refuses to look at the payment being offered. He shakes his head in frustration before giving them his answer. “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. So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.” (Numbers 22:18-19)

Balaam shows the men to where they will sleep for the night and has a meal prepared for them; just as he had done with the first men who came to him. He did not show any partiality to the men, even though he knew they were higher in rank than the original group.

Balaam awaits the Lord’s answer in the night, and he is not disappointed.

“If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” (Numbers 22:20)

Balaam is surprised at the change, but doesn’t argue with it. Bright and early the next morning, Balaam tells the group that he can go. Everyone is excited and anxious to be on their way. Balaam saddles his donkey and then the group is on their way.

(to be continued)

Not much of a ‘cliff hanger’ when we already know the rest of the story. I’m curious though, why God said Balaam could go, but was angry when he did. Was it a test for Balaam? Did Balaam secretly WANT to go?

I know. I’m getting ahead of myself. I find it interesting that the powers that be around Balaam respected his ability to know the right course of action without recognizing his true Source. They considered him a “diviner” instead of connecting him with the Lord. Even after he told them that he could do NOTHING except what the Lord told him to do. And that’s what he did when he left in the morning.

Father God, Your stories always grab my attention and make me ask questions. I’m happy to see You working in other parts of the world too. I wish I could hear You as clearly as Balaam did. But I DON’T want the ‘half permission’ Balaam had to deal with. He didn’t do the “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission” though. He waited for permission. Did the problem arise from asking for what he already knew what the answer was. They weren’t asking about a different group of people.

Help me not ‘pester’ You when I already know the answer. But then again, Jesus told the story about the woman who kept coming back to the corrupt judge to get a different answer. You are not corrupt though, so Your answers are always good; including the “No”, “Not yet”, “Maybe”, and “Yes.” The “Not yet” and “Maybe” get me into trouble. “Is it time yet?!” Give me patience for those answers Lord.