1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on [every] altar a bullock and a ram.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon [every] altar a bullock and a ram.
5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, [whom] the LORD hath not defied?
9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth [part] of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed [them] altogether.
12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.
14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.
15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet [the LORD] yonder.
16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
19 God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20 Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God [is] with him, and the shout of a king [is] among them.
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
23 Surely [there is] no enchantment against Jacob, neither [is there] any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
24 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 eat [of] the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on [every] altar.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 23
Numbers Chapter 23 focuses on the story of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who is summoned by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites. The chapter highlights the tension between divine will and human intention, emphasizing themes of prophecy, obedience, and the sovereignty of God.
Key Characters
- Balaam: A prophet who is sought after for his ability to bless or curse nations.
- King Balak: The king of Moab, who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam’s help to curse them.
- The Israelites: The chosen people of God, who are camped near Moab and are the focus of Balak’s concerns.
Summary of Events
- Balak’s Request: Balak sends messengers to Balaam, asking him to come and curse the Israelites (verses 1-6).
- Balaam’s Response: Balaam consults God, who tells him not to go with Balak’s messengers or curse the Israelites, as they are blessed (verses 7-12).
- Second Attempt by Balak: Balak sends more dignitaries with promises of great rewards, urging Balaam to come (verses 13-17).
- God’s Permission: After consulting God again, Balaam is allowed to go with the men, but must only speak what God tells him (verses 18-20).
- Balaam’s Journey: Balaam travels to Moab, and God’s anger is kindled against him for going, leading to the famous incident with his donkey (verses 21-30).
Theological Themes
- Divine Sovereignty: The chapter illustrates God’s control over the situation, showing that His plans cannot be thwarted by human actions.
- Prophetic Authority: Balaam’s role as a prophet emphasizes the importance of speaking only what God reveals, highlighting the seriousness of prophecy.
- Blessing vs. Cursing: The chapter contrasts the desires of Balak to curse Israel with God’s intention to bless them, underscoring the futility of opposing God’s will.
Significant Verses
- Verse 8: “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? Or how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” – This verse encapsulates Balaam’s acknowledgment of God’s authority.
- Verse 20: “Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.” – Balaam’s recognition that God’s blessing cannot be undone reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 23 serves as a critical moment in the narrative of the Israelites’ journey, illustrating the power of God’s blessing and the limitations of human attempts to manipulate divine will. Through Balaam’s interactions with Balak and God, the chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the futility of opposing His plans.
