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Numbers 23

30 verses

TL;DR

Balaam, called by King Balak to curse Israel, repeatedly receives divine instruction to bless instead, underscoring God's sovereign control over blessing and curse.

Summary

King Balak, fearing Israel, summons the seer Balaam and commands him to build seven altars and offer sacrifices in hopes of a curse. Balaam prepares the altars and meets the Lord, who puts a word in his mouth instructing him to return to Balak with a blessing. Despite Balak’s attempts to relocate Balaam for better views, the divine message remains unchanged: Israel is protected and blessed. Balaam attempts to find loopholes but is reminded that he must faithfully transmit the Lord’s word. The narrative repeats the pattern of request, divine encounter, and the ultimate blessing, illustrating that divine will overrides human schemes.

Outline
  1. Balak’s request and the construction of altars and sacrifices.
  2. Balaam’s encounter with God and the command to bless Israel.
  3. Repeated attempts to find a place for curse, culminating in the unwavering blessing.
Themes
Divine sovereignty over human agencyThe power of blessing over curseProphetic obedience and fidelity
Keywords
curseblessingprophecyaltarsbullockramburnt offeringGodBalaamBalak
People
BalaamBalakZipporprince(s) of Moab
Places
AramMountains of the EastZophimPisgahPeorJeshimontop of the rockshills
Things
altarsbullockramburnt offeringprophetic wordblessingcurseparable
Key Verses
  • Numbers 23:5: Shows God's direct command to Balaam to bless rather than curse.
  • Numbers 23:8: Highlights Balaam’s question of how he can curse the divinely protected.
  • Numbers 23:14: Illustrates the repeated setting of altars in different locations.
  • Numbers 23:20: Affirms the message that Balaam has received a commandment to bless.
Questions
  • Why does Balak repeatedly seek a place where Balaam can curse Israel?
  • What does Balaam’s repeated refusal to deviate from God’s command reveal about prophetic obedience?
  • How does the narrative portray the contrast between human attempts to control fate and divine sovereignty?
  • In what ways does the story illustrate the protective nature of God's blessing toward Israel?
  • What lessons can modern readers draw from the tension between curse and blessing in this passage?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage contains both conflict and reassurance; the divine message of blessing offers comfort amid Balak’s hostility.