Balak was a king of Moab who hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites as they traveled toward the promised land after their exodus from Egypt. Though Balak desperately tried to stop Israel from settling in the land near him, God turned Balaam’s intended curses into blessings for Israel instead. Balak’s story shows how no one can truly thwart God’s plans for His people.
Balak’s First Appearance
Balak is introduced in Numbers 22 during Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. After defeating the Amorites, Israel was camped on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho (Numbers 22:1). Seeing Israel’s victory and large numbers, Balak recognized them as a threat and “became terrified of them” (Numbers 22:3).
As king of Moab, Balak understandably wanted to protect his nation from invasion. But instead of trusting God, who had promised to give Canaan to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:18-21), Balak tried to solve the problem his own way. He sent messengers to summon Balaam, a prophet who lived several hundred miles away, asking him to come and curse Israel so Moab could drive them away (Numbers 22:5-6).
Balaam’s Donkey
Though Balaam knew the Lord had blessed Israel, he was tempted by Balak’s offer of money and went with Balak’s men. God was angry that Balaam went and sent an angel with a drawn sword to block his path. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel and turned off the road three times. After Balaam beat his donkey for disobeying, God opened the donkey’s mouth to rebuke Balaam for his own disobedience (Numbers 22:22-35).
This humorous episode highlights several truths. It shows Balaam’s desire for financial gain leading him astray. It displays God’s sovereignty over all creation, including animals. And it ultimately reveals that though Balak and Balaam planned to harm Israel, they could do nothing outside of God’s will.
Balaam’s Prophecies
Despite his encounter with the angel, Balaam continued to Moab at Balak’s urging. Balak took Balaam to three different locations, hoping that from each vantage point Balaam would be able to place a curse on Israel. But each time, instead of cursing, Balaam pronounced blessings over Israel and prophesied their future prosperity, because God compelled him to speak only what He wanted (Numbers 22:38).
At Balaam’s first two stops, he blessed Israel, promising them military victory over their enemies and numerous descendants (Numbers 23-24). At the third location, Balaam expanded his prophecy, foretelling Israel’s future king (referring to David) and ultimate triumph over Moab and Edom. Though Balak was enraged, Balaam emphasized he could only speak what God told him (Numbers 24:10-13).
Balaam’s Final Counsel
After giving his third blessing, Balaam returned home. But he later returned to advise Balak one more time, since his curses had failed. Balaam recommended that Moabite women should seduce Israelite men and invite them to sacrifice to Moabite gods. Balaam knew this would bring God’s wrath on Israel for their unfaithfulness (Numbers 31:16).
Balak followed this advice, and many Israelites were led into idolatry and immorality. But this also led to judgment, as the guilty Israelites died in a plague and the leaders were executed (Numbers 25:1-9). Though Balak listened to Balaam and tried to manipulate Israel’s downfall through underhanded means, he was powerless to truly thwart God’s plan.
Later References
The New Testament contains a few brief references to Balaam and Balak. These passages confirm Balak hired Balaam, who was driven by greed. Though Balak intended to curse Israel, God did not allow it (2 Peter 2:15-16). Jude also refers to Balaam’s error and greed (Jude 1:11). Revelation mentions Balaam’s counsel to Balak to tempt Israel into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:14).
In contrast to Balak and Balaam’s disobedience and greed, these verses encourage God’s people to stand firm in righteousness and truth, trusting God rather than giving in to the world’s methods and values.
Lessons from Balak’s Story
Several lessons emerge from this account about Balak’s failed attempts to thwart God’s purposes:
- God is sovereign. No human schemes can override His plans.
- Trying to curse what God has blessed is futile.
- Fear of other nations reflects lack of trust in God.
- God can speak through any means, even a donkey.
- God’s people must guard against greed and discouragement that leads to disobedience.
- Manipulation and deceit will ultimately fail versus walking in God’s ways.
Balak hoped Balaam could magically change Israel’s destiny. But after God intervened, he discovered no one could contradict God’s intentions. Throughout their journeys, God remained committed to blessing His people according to His promises. Just as Balak was powerless to alter Israel’s future, no enemy force can ultimately frustrate God’s plans and purposes today.
5000 Words Explaining the Story of Balak and Balaam in More Depth
The story of Balak and Balaam takes up four chapters in the book of Numbers, underscoring its importance. Though it’s not a well-known Bible story, it provides crucial insights into the nature of prophecy, spiritual discernment, and God’s protection of His people. Examining the narrative more closely reveals meaningful themes for Christians’ lives today.
Balak’s Motives
Balak was from the country of Moab, descended from Lot through his elder daughter’s incestuous encounter with her father (Genesis 19:36-37). The Moabites worshiped the false god Chemosh and frequently warred with Israel. Balak’s alarm at Israel’s military success was understandable from a political perspective. With Israel camped on his border after destroying the Amorites, Balak felt threatened.
But Scripture exposes the deeper spiritual roots behind Balak’s scheming. First, Balak did not trust God. Though God had commanded Israel not to invade or provoke Moab (Deuteronomy 2:9), Balak refused to believe Israel would keep their word. He saw them through a lens of fear rather than seeking God’s guidance. Second, Balak opposed God’s purposes. God had already promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s family. But instead of accepting this, Balak tried to undermine God’s plan through occult means.
Balaam’s Weakness
Despite living far from Moab, Balaam had gained a reputation for effective blessings and curses. But when Balak’s delegation arrived with promises of rich rewards, Balaam displayed a mixed response. On the one hand, he refused to go with them without first consulting God. On the other hand, he was clearly tempted by the prospects of financial and professional gain (2 Peter 2:15).
God permitted Balaam to go, but only after stern warnings delivered through both the angelic messenger and Balaam’s donkey. Sadly, Balaam failed to get the message. He proceeded to Moab, wavering between limited obedience when directly confronted by God and underlying greed motivating him to please Balak. Balaam epitomizes the double-minded man James describes, unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).
God’s Intervention
Despite Balak and Balaam’s questionable motives, their journey produced four remarkable prophecies about Israel’s future delivered by a reluctant prophet compelled by God’s power. When Balaam opened his mouth intending to pronounce curses, blessings emerged instead. These oracles promised Israel would become a vast nation, defeat her enemies, have a king greater than Agag, and conquer Edom and Moab (Numbers 23-24).
This section vividly displays God’s authority over human speech. Balaam discovered he could not manipulate spiritual forces against God’s will. The Holy Spirit supernaturally overruled Balaam’s greed and hatred to declare God’s blessing and Israel’s destiny instead.
In addition, by speaking through Balaam, God demonstrated His sovereignty over all nations. Balak assumed Chemosh gave Balaam power. But by enabling Balaam to bless Israel from Moabite high places, God showed He ruled over Chemosh’s territory. Likewise today, God sovereignly oversees all human authorities (Daniel 4:32).
Balak’s Frustration
After his expensive scheme failed, Balak understandably felt frustrated at Balaam and angry at God. But his resentment was rooted in spiritual immaturity. First, Balak thought he could manipulate spiritual realities by moving Balaam to different locations, as if a shift in physical perspective could alter spiritual truth. In reality, God’s purposes remain consistent regardless of our position.
Second, Balak felt entitled to limit God’s actions based on his personal preference. When Balaam continued blessing Israel, Balak essentially accused him of sabotage. But God is not obligated to follow our agendas. He remains free to fulfill His redemptive plan as He chooses.
Third, Balak refused to accept God’s verdict. Rather than repenting, he stubbornly kept looking for a way to undermine God’s pronounced blessing. But just as no alternative viewpoint changed the prophecies, no amount of objection could nullify God’s intentions for Israel.
Balaam’s Subversion
After openly unsuccessful attempts to curse Israel failed, Balaam resorted to subtler strategies to earn his payment from Balak. He advised using Moabite women to sow sexual immorality and idolatry within Israel’s camp (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:14). Tragically, this shrewd ploy achieved temporary results as God judged His people (Numbers 25).
But ultimately, this scheme also failed. Under Moses’ leadership, the guilty parties were punished and God’s wrath appeased (Numbers 25:4-5). After renewed obedience, Israel prevailed in battle against Midian, killing Balaam and five other kings allied with Balak (Numbers 31:8). Balaam’s secretive advice merely led to his own destruction.
This episode displays God’s displeasure with those who promote sin among His people, as well as His discipline and restoration of those who repent. It emphasizes the futility of trying to accomplish through deception what cannot be achieved directly.
Applying Lessons from Balak and Balaam Today
The account of Balak and Balaam contains several important themes applicable for Christians today:
God’s Sovereignty Over the Nations
Balak ruled Moab, but God ultimately shaped history. No government can thwart God’s redemptive plans. Believers should pray for wisdom for leaders but trust God is in control (Romans 13:1).
Dangers of Greed
Balaam’s greed led him to waver in obedience, temptation, and creative attempts at subversion for personal gain. Christians must guard against greed’s deception (Luke 12:15).
Avoiding Manipulation
Balaam tried to use spiritual forces against Israel, then used immorality to lead them astray. The church should reject such manipulation and preserve unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:3).
God Overrules Unjust Plans
No unjust scheme against God’s people can succeed apart from His permission (Proverbs 19:21). Believers can trust God to thwart evil intentions against them.
Futility of Opposing God
Balak resisted God’s redemptive plan, but all his efforts failed. It is futile to fight against God’s purposes (Acts 5:39).
Judgment for Deception
Balaam’s deception brought judgment, showing God disciplines those who lead His people into sin. Church leaders must be accountable (James 3:1).
This intriguing Bible story provides both warnings and encouragement for the contemporary church. As in Balak and Balaam’s day, believers today should avoid greed, resist deception, and trust God’s sovereignty over every circumstance. Ultimately, each person faces the same choice Balaam did – whether to follow the Lord wholeheartedly or let sin and self-interest lead astray.
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