Topical Bible: Anger: Balak, Toward Balaam

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Balak's anger toward Balaam is a significant episode that highlights the tension between divine will and human intent. Balak, the king of Moab, is introduced in the Book of Numbers as a ruler deeply troubled by the encroaching presence of the Israelites. Fearing their numbers and strength, Balak seeks to employ supernatural means to curse them, thereby ensuring his kingdom's security.

Balak's anger toward Balaam is rooted in his frustration with the prophet's inability to fulfill his desires. Balak sends messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, who resides in Pethor, near the Euphrates River, with the request to curse the Israelites. Initially, Balaam refuses, stating that he can only speak what the LORD commands. Despite Balak's persistence and the promise of great reward, Balaam remains bound by the divine message he receives.

The narrative unfolds in Numbers 22-24, where Balak's anger becomes evident. After Balaam's arrival, Balak takes him to various high places, hoping that a change in location might alter the divine message. However, each time Balaam speaks, he blesses Israel instead of cursing them, as recorded in Numbers 23:11 : "Then Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have only blessed them!'"

Balak's anger intensifies as Balaam continues to pronounce blessings over Israel. In Numbers 24:10 , Balak's frustration reaches a peak: "Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to him, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.'"

Balak's anger is emblematic of the broader theme of human resistance to divine sovereignty. Despite his attempts to manipulate spiritual forces for his own ends, Balak is confronted with the reality that God's purposes cannot be thwarted. His anger, therefore, is not only directed at Balaam but also reflects his impotence in the face of divine authority.

The episode concludes with Balak dismissing Balaam in frustration, as recorded in Numbers 24:11 : "Now go home! I said I would reward you richly, but the LORD has denied you any reward." Balak's anger, while directed at Balaam, ultimately underscores the futility of opposing God's will, a lesson that resonates throughout the biblical text.

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Numbers 24:10,11
And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
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The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness ... Balaam the son of Beor saith,
And the man ... And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... 5. But what is God's attitude toward such conduct ... O my people, remember now what
Balak, king of Moab, devised ... down your fist and stamp your foot in anger at such ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

V. ...
... in faith; and so it is accounted toward him by ... people; therefore the prophet declines
to comply with Balak. ... injure, and thereby provoke God to anger, so that ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... original designs and is He now working toward that end ... Balaam had readily and certainly
accepted the offer of Balak. ... O Assyrian, the rod of Mine anger, and the ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... But as it fared with wicked Balaam, so shall it fare with these, and their vain ... do
briefly hold forth the carriage of the ungodly in this life toward the saints ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

A Discourse
... by the gate of Bath-rabbim; thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward
Damascus' (Cant ... Come now, therefore,' saith Balak to Balaam, and 'curse ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... that of zeal to God; because by the law is begotten, through the weakness that it
meeteth with in thee, sourness, bitterness of spirit, and anger against him ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... and that of zeal to God; because by the law is begat, through the weakness that
it meeteth with in thee, sourness, bitterness of spirit, and anger against him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Solomon compares the heart to a man's face; because as in the face may be discerned
whether there is anger or otherwise; so by the inclinations of the heart ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm