Curse: Barak Commands Balaam to Curse Israel
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In the biblical narrative, the account of Barak commanding Balaam to curse Israel is a significant event that highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human intentions. This account is found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24, and it provides insight into the spiritual and political dynamics of the time.

Background

The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, were journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. As they encamped in the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River opposite Jericho, their presence caused great concern among the neighboring nations. Balak, the king of Moab, was particularly alarmed by the sheer number of Israelites and their recent military victories over the Amorites.

Balak's Request

Fearing the potential threat posed by the Israelites, Balak sought to employ supernatural means to weaken them. He sent messengers to Balaam, a renowned prophet and diviner, who resided in Pethor near the Euphrates River. Balak's message was clear: "Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land" (Numbers 22:6).

Balaam's Initial Response

Balaam, known for his ability to bless and curse, was initially receptive to Balak's request. However, he sought the counsel of the LORD, who instructed him not to go with the Moabite messengers and not to curse the Israelites, for they were blessed (Numbers 22:12). Balaam relayed this message to Balak's envoys, refusing to accompany them.

Balak's Persistence

Undeterred, Balak sent more distinguished officials with promises of great reward, urging Balaam to reconsider. Balaam, despite knowing the LORD's will, expressed a willingness to seek further divine guidance. That night, God permitted Balaam to go with the men, but only on the condition that he would speak only what God instructed (Numbers 22:20).

The Journey and Divine Intervention

As Balaam set out with the Moabite officials, God's anger was kindled because Balaam's heart was inclined towards the rewards offered by Balak. The Angel of the LORD stood in Balaam's path as an adversary. Balaam's donkey, seeing the angel, veered off the path, causing Balaam to strike it. This happened three times until the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, allowing it to speak to Balaam. Subsequently, Balaam's eyes were opened to see the Angel of the LORD, who reiterated the command to speak only what he was told (Numbers 22:22-35).

Balaam's Oracles

Upon arriving in Moab, Balaam was taken to various high places to view the Israelites and pronounce curses. However, each time Balaam attempted to curse Israel, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he instead pronounced blessings. Balaam declared, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8). Despite Balak's frustration and repeated attempts to change the outcome, Balaam remained faithful to the words given by God.

Significance

The account of Balaam and Balak underscores the futility of opposing God's will. It illustrates that no curse can prevail against those whom God has blessed. The narrative also serves as a reminder of God's protective hand over His people and His ability to use even reluctant prophets to fulfill His purposes. Balaam's account is a testament to the power of divine blessing and the ultimate authority of God over the affairs of nations and individuals.
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Numbers 22:6
Come now therefore, I pray you, 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 know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
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Numbers 23:11
And Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have blessed them altogether.
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Resources
How should Christians respond when people use God's name as a curse word? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Noah curse Ham / Canaan? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Joshua curse Jericho in Joshua 6:26? | GotQuestions.org

Curse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Curse

Curse: Barak Commands Balaam to Curse Israel

Curse: Curses of the Mosaic Law

Curse: Denounced: Against Adam and Eve

Curse: Denounced: Against Cain

Curse: Denounced: Against Canaan, Noah's Son

Curse: Denounced: Against Gehazi

Curse: Denounced: Against Meroz

Curse: Denounced: Against the Ground

Curse: Denounced: Against the Serpent

Related Terms

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Cursing (53 Occurrences)

Execration (9 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Accursed (26 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Balak (42 Occurrences)

Curses (55 Occurrences)

Imprecation (2 Occurrences)

Rot (15 Occurrences)

Resting-places (27 Occurrences)

Execrate (4 Occurrences)

Meroz (1 Occurrence)

Abdomen (4 Occurrences)

Shrink (10 Occurrences)

Taunt (38 Occurrences)

Stomach (40 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Wasting (57 Occurrences)

Astonishment (51 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Swell (9 Occurrences)

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Belly (62 Occurrences)

Horror (51 Occurrences)

Legs (50 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)

Townspeople (4 Occurrences)

Denounce (8 Occurrences)

Ban (12 Occurrences)

Anathema (6 Occurrences)

Causes (89 Occurrences)

Swear (99 Occurrences)

Redemption (46 Occurrences)

Object (76 Occurrences)

Hanging (82 Occurrences)

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)

Causing (248 Occurrences)

Kindled (83 Occurrences)

Heredity

Thigh (38 Occurrences)

Blessings (45 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Cursed (115 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)

Rooms (69 Occurrences)

Caused (468 Occurrences)

Perish (186 Occurrences)

Killed (352 Occurrences)

Hired (49 Occurrences)

Persecute (48 Occurrences)

Writings (111 Occurrences)

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)

Uncontrolled (58 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Leviathan (5 Occurrences)

Levi'athan (2 Occurrences)

Wastes (33 Occurrences)

Warriors (75 Occurrences)

Invoke (13 Occurrences)

Important (39 Occurrences)

Former (107 Occurrences)

Tenth (89 Occurrences)

Rouse (25 Occurrences)

Reside (17 Occurrences)

Revile (28 Occurrences)

Redeem (56 Occurrences)

Redeemed (78 Occurrences)

Excommunication

Doomed (21 Occurrences)

Damn

Defy (10 Occurrences)

Despitefully (3 Occurrences)

Deaf (22 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Curse upon Forgetting Jerusalem
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