Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 


The book of Numbers

This book was written in 1444-1405 BC. The name comes from the census when Moses counted the people.  It tells about the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness for 39 years.  It starts when the Israelites are at Mt. Sinai.  It tells about their travels through the wilderness. It ends in the plains of Moab just before the Israelites enter Canaan. 

The book of Numbers tells about 2 generations of Israelites. The 1st generation did not obey God. They could not enter Canaan. The 2nd generation obeyed God. They were allowed to go into Canaan. 

Please visit this page to see where the book of Numbers fits into the whole Bible. 

Numbers 22 - 24

King Balak is worried about the Israelites.
King Balak hires Balaam to come and curse the Israelites.
Balaam's donkey talks.
Balaam gives speeches about Israel and the future.
King Balak is not happy with Balaam's speeches.


Numbers 22

King Balak is worried about the Israelites

The area of Moab

Photo from BiblePlaces.com

 

Map by Stan Griffin

The Israelites continued to travel. They camped in the area called Moab. Moab was on the east side of the Jordan River. Balak was the king of the Moabites. The Moabites were afraid of the Israelites.
[1] And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
[2] And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
[3] And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.


The Midianites were another group of people who lived in the area. King Balak sent a message to the leaders of the Midianites.  He said that the Israelites would destroy everything around them the same way an ox eats all the grass. 
[4] And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.



King Balak wants Balaam to come and curse the Israelites



King Balak sent a message to a famous man named Balaam. Balaam could tell things that will happen in the future. He  lived in Pethor. Pethor is further east near the Euphrates River.  Balak wanted Balaam to come and help him.  Balak told Balaam about the Israelites.  Balak told Balaam that some people had come from Egypt. He said there were many, many of the people.  Balak said that the Israelites were now near his land.
[5] He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:


King Balak thinks the Israelites are too strong.  He thinks the Israelites will win if they have a war. He asks Balaam to come and help him.  He wants Balaam to come and put a curse on the Israelites. Balak thinks that if Balaam says special words, bad things will happen to the Israelites. Then Balak and his people will win the war.

[6] Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.


Some leaders of Moab and some leaders of Midian traveled to see Balaam. They took money to pay Balaam. 

[7] And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Balaam told the men to stay all night. He said he would ask God what he should do. 
[8] And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.


God talked to Balaam. He asked Balaam who the men were.  Balaam said that the men were from King Balak in Moab.  The men said a big group of people came from Egypt (the Israelites). Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites.  Then Balak could win a war against them and make them leave.
 
[9] And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
[10] And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
[11] Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.


But God told Balaam he should not go with the men.  He should not curse the Israelites. God said the Israelites were special. God blessed the Israelites. 
[12] And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.


The next morning, Balaam told the men he would not go with them. God refused to let him go.
[13] And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.


The men went back to King Balak.  They told Balak that Balaam refused to come with them. 
[14] And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.



King Balak again asks Balaam to come to Moab.
Balaam's donkey talks to him.


King Balak sent more men to Balaam. These men were more important than the first men. 

[15] And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.


The second group of men talked to Balaam.  They told Balaam what King Balak said. Balak begged Balaam to come.  He said if Balaam would come, he would give a reward to Balaam (make him rich and important). He said he would do anything Balaam asked him to do.   
[16] And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
[17] For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.


Balaam said it didn't matter what King Balak promised. Even if King Balak gave him a house full of silver and gold, he must obey God. Balaam asked the men to stay all night so he could ask God what to do.
 
[18] And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
[19] Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.


That might, God talked to Balaam.  God said if the men came back, Balaam could go with them. But God told Balaam he should do only what He tells him to do.

[20] And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.


The next morning, Balaam put a saddle on his donkey. He started the trip to Moab. 
[21] And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.


God was mad at Balaam. The night before, God said Balaam could go. But He told Balaam to wait for the men to come back. Balaam got up early and didn't wait to see if the men would come back first. He got ready to go before they came back to talk to him again.   

Balaam was riding on his donkey. There were 2 servants (helpers) with him.  God sent an angel. The angel stood in the road in front of Balaam. 
[22] And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

 

"Bileam und der Engel" (Balaam and the Angel) by Gustav Jaeger: (1808 - 1871) 
From
Wikipedia.org



Balaam and the other men could not see the angel. But the donkey saw the angel.  The angel had a sword in his hand. The donkey turned and went off the road.  Balaam hit the donkey.  He tried to get her back on the road. 

[23] And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.


Then, the angel of the Lord was in the field. There was a wall on each side. When the donkey saw the angel again. she bumped into the wall.  Balaam's foot was smashed against the wall. He started to hit the donkey again.
[24] But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
[25] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.


Then the angel of the Lord moved to a different place. It was narrow (skinny). There was no way to go around right or left.  The donkey saw the angel. There was no place to go, so the donkey fell down.  Balaam was very mad. He hit the donkey with a stick.
[26] And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
[27] And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.


God made the donkey talk. The donkey talked to Balaam. She asked Balaam why he hit her 3 times.  Balaam said it was because the donkey made him look stupid. He said if he had a sword, he would kill her.  The donkey said that Balaam was her owner. He had ridden her for a long time. She asked if she ever had behaved that way in the past. Balaam said no. 
[28] And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
[29] And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
[30] And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.


Then God let Balaam see the angel.  Balaam saw the angel holding the sword. Balaam bowed his head down and fell down on his face.  The angel asked Balaam why he hit his donkey.  The angel said he was standing in the donkey's way because Balaam was doing something wrong.  The donkey saw the angel and turned the other way. If the donkey had not turned, the angel would have killed Balaam.  The angel said he would let the donkey live.
[31] Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
[32] And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
[33] And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.


Balaam said he had sinned.  Before, he didn't know the angel was in front of him. He said he would go back home now. 
[34] And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.


The angel of the Lord talked to Balaam.  He said Balaam should go with the men to Moab. But Balaam should say only what the angel of the Lord tells him to say.  So Balaam continued his travel with the men from Moab.
[35] And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.



Balaam meets King Balak


King
Balak heard that Balaam was coming to his city named Ir.  Balak went out to meet Balaam.  
[36] And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.


King Balak asked Balaam why he didn't come the first time.  He asked if Balaam thought he wouldn't pay him?  Balaam said he was there now.  He would say whatever God told him to say.
[37] And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
[38] And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

The city of Kirjath-huzoth

Photo from BiblePlaces.com

Then Balaam and King Balak traveled to the city of Kirjath-huzoth.  The king made offerings there. He offered oxen and sheep. He gave meat to Balaam and the men who brought him to Moab.
[39] And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.
[40] And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.


The next day, King Balak took Balaam to a place called Bamoth-Baal. This place was high on a mountain. Balaam could see some of the Israelites from this place.
[41] And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.



Numbers 23


Balaam makes his first speech about Israel



Balaam asked Balak to make 7 altars. Balak should sacrifice 1 ox and 1 male sheep on each altar. Balak did what Balaam told him to do.  Then Balaam told Balak to stand by the offerings. Balaam said he would ask God what he should say about the Israelites. 
 
[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.

Then God talked to Balaam. Balaam told God that he made 7 altars and offered 7 oxen and 7 male sheep. Then God told Balaam to go back to Balak. God told Balaam what to say.
[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.


Balaam went back to Balak. Balak was standing by the sacrifices. The other leaders of Moab were with Balak, too. 

[6] And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.

Photo from The Virtual Museum of Canada

Balaam started his oracle (his speech).   He said that King Balak brought him to Moab. King Balak wanted him to curse the Israelites.  But he said he could not curse the Israelites. God does not curse the Israelites, so he could not curse them either. 
[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?


Balaam said he can see the Israelites from the mountain. He can look down and see them.  He said there are many Israelites. No one can count the Israelites because there are too many.  It would be like trying to count dust. It would be hard to try to count even 1/4 of the Israelites.  Balaam said the Israelites are peaceful.  They do not bother other people.  Balaam wants to obey God like the Israelites. When he dies, he wants to be special like the Israelites. 
[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!


King Balak was not happy. He wanted Balaam to curse (say bad things) the Israelites. But Balaam has not cursed the Israelites--he has blessed them. 
[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.


Balaam told King Balak that he said what God told him to say. 
[12] And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?



King Balak asks Balaam to try again.  Balaam makes his second speech about Israel.


Balak wanted to take Balaam to another place.   In the new place, Balaam would not see as many Israelites. He would see a smaller number of them. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites from the new place.

[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.


Balak took Balaam to the top of Mt. Pisgah.  He built 7 altars there. He offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
[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.


Balaam told Balak to stand by the offerings. Then Balaam went to talk to God.
[15] And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.


God told Balaam what to say.
[16] And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.


Balaam went back to Balak.  Balak was waiting by the offerings. The other leaders of Moab were with Balak. Balak asked Balaam what God said.  
[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?


This is Balaam's second oracle--his 2nd speech. This is what God told him to say.  Balak should listen to God.  God does not tell lies like men do.  God does not change His mind.  When God makes a promise, He keeps His promise.
[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?


God told Balaam to bless the Israelites. He cannot take back the blessing. 
[20] Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.


The Lord God is Israel's king.  God lives with Israel. God forgives their sins.

[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.


God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. God makes the Israelites strong. No magic or curse will work against the Israelites. God has done amazing things!
[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!


The Israelites are like a young lion. A young lion attacks another animal. He does not go to sleep until he has eaten the other animal and drank all of its blood.
[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.


King Balak was not happy with Balaam. He wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites. But Balaam had not cursed them. He had blessed them.  Balak said if Balaam didn't curse them, he should not bless them either. 
[25] And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.


Balaam answered Balak.  He reminded Balak what he told him earlier. He would say what God told him to say.
[26] But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?


Balak again asks Balaam to curse the Israelites.
Balaam makes his 3rd speech about the Israelites.



Balak wanted to try again. He wanted to take Balaam to another place.  Balak thought maybe God will let Balaam curse the Israelites at a different place. 
[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.


Balak and Balaam went to the top of Mt. Peor.  They could see a place called Jeshimon (a desert).
 
[28] And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.


Balaam told Balak to build 7 altars.  Balak should offer 7 bulls and 7 male sheep. 
[29] And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.


Balak did what Balaam told him to do.  He offered a bull and a male sheep on each altar.
[30] And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

Numbers 24

Balaam knew that God wanted him to bless Israel. This time, Balaam did not try to look at magic things. He looked toward the desert.  Balaam could see the Israelites.  The Israelites were in their tents. They were in groups with their tribes.   God's spirit came on Balaam.
[1] And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
[2] And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.


Balaam began his third oracle (speech).  Balaam said his father's name was Beor.  He had heard God's words. He had seen a vision of God in a trance (like in a dream), but his eyes were open.
[3] And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
[4] He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

Balaam said the Israelites' camp--their tents and the tabernacle--were good. 
[5] How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!


Their camp is like a beautiful garden by a river.  They are like trees next to a river. They are like aloe trees that God planted. They are like cedar trees that grow by water. 
[6] As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.


God will bless Israel. God's blessings will be like rain on a garden. The Israelites will have many descendants (children, grandchildren, great grandchildren). Israel's descendants will be blessed, too.  Israel's king will be more powerful than Agag ( a famous king). People will honor the Israelites' land.  
[7] He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

Balaam said that Israel is like a strong animal. God brought Israel out of Egypt. Israel is strong like a animal with one horn.  Israel will defeat its enemies like an animal eats other animals. Israel will shoot its enemies with arrows and crush their bones.  
[8] God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.


Israel is like a lion. If the lion is sleeping, no one will wake him up. If anyone blesses Israel, he will be blessed, too. If anyone curses Israel, he will be cursed, too.
[9] He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.


Balak was angry with Balaam. He was so angry that he hit his hands together. He told Balaam that he wanted him to curse the Israelites. But Balaam had blessed them 3 times.  He told Balaam to go home. At first, Balak planned to reward and pay Balaam money, but he won't do that now.  Balak said it was God's fault that Balaam won't get money or honor.
[10] And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
[11] Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.


Before, Balak's men visited Balaam at his home. They told Balaam he could get money to curse Israel.  Balaam told them it didn't matter if they offered him money. It did not matter if they offered him a house full of silver and gold. He would not say his own words.  He would only say the words that God told him to say.  
[12] And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
[13] If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

Balaam said he was going home now.  But first, he would tell Balak about the future. He would tell Balak what the Israelites would do to his people. 
[14] And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.



Balaam makes 3 more speeches about the future


Balaam's speech about a king in Israel


Balaam began to speak again. He said his father's name was Beor.  He could see clearly.  He could hear God's words.  He learned things from God.  He had seen and heard God in a trance (like in a dream), but his eyes were open.
[15] And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
[16] He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:


He talked about the future. He said there will be a king in Israel.  The king will be like a star.  The king will defeat the people in Moab.  The king will defeat all the other people. 
[17] I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.


The king will take over the places of Edom and Seir. The Israelites will be brave.  The king of Israel will be in control of everything.  

[18] And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
[19] Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.



The future of the Amalekites and the Kenites

Balaam talked about the group of people, the Amalekites. He said that Amalek is the most powerful nation now. But later,  it will be gone forever.    
[20] And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.


Balaam talked about another group of people, the Kenites. He said they now live in the strong rocks. But later, they will be destroyed. Another group of people, the Assyrians, will come and catch them. The Assyrians will take them away. 
[21] And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
[22] Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.


The future of Asshur and Eber 

Balaam talked again about the future.  He said that ships (boats) would come. They would come from Chittum (now the island of Cyprus).  The people in the boats would destroy the people of Asshur and Eber.  

[23] And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
[24] And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

Balaam went back to his home.  Balak also went home.
[25] And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

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