The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a people often in conflict with the Israelites. One of the most notable interactions between the Moabites and the Israelites is recorded in the Book of Numbers, where Balak, the king of Moab, seeks to curse the Israelites through the prophet Balaam.

Context and Background

As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, they encamped in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan River opposite Jericho (Numbers 22:1). The Moabites, witnessing the vast number of Israelites and their recent victories over the Amorites, were filled with dread. Balak, the son of Zippor and king of Moab, feared that the Israelites would consume everything around them, as an ox licks up the grass of the field (Numbers 22:4).

Balak's Request to Balaam

In response to this perceived threat, Balak sent messengers to Balaam, son of Beor, who resided in Pethor near the Euphrates River. Balaam was known for his ability to bless and curse, and Balak hoped that Balaam would curse the Israelites, thereby weakening them and enabling Moab to defeat them (Numbers 22:5-6). Balak's messengers carried with them the fees for divination, indicating the seriousness of their request.

Balaam's Initial Response

Upon receiving Balak's request, Balaam sought the counsel of the LORD. God instructed Balaam 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 officials, who returned to their king with the prophet's refusal.

Balak's Persistence

Unwilling to accept defeat, Balak sent more numerous and distinguished officials to Balaam, offering him great honor and rewards if he would come and curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:15-17). Balaam, despite acknowledging that he could not go beyond the word of the LORD, invited the officials to stay overnight, hoping for a different directive from God.

God's Permission and Balaam's Journey

That night, God permitted Balaam to go with the Moabite officials but instructed him to do only what He commanded (Numbers 22:20). As Balaam set out on his journey, God's anger was kindled because Balaam went with the intent of cursing Israel, contrary to God's blessing upon them. This led to the famous encounter with the Angel of the LORD and Balaam's donkey, which spoke to him after seeing the angel blocking their path (Numbers 22:22-33).

Balaam's Oracles

Upon reaching Balak, Balaam was taken to various high places to view the Israelites and pronounce curses. However, each time Balaam attempted to curse Israel, God intervened, and Balaam ended up blessing them instead. Balaam's oracles affirmed God's protection and blessing over Israel, declaring, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8).

Significance

The account of Balak's call for Balaam to curse Israel highlights the sovereignty of God over the nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Despite human attempts to thwart His plans, God's purposes prevail, and His blessings cannot be reversed. The narrative serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the futility of opposing His will.Numbers 22:1
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
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Numbers 23:1
And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
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Joshua 24:9
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
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Micah 6:5
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; that you may know the righteousness of the LORD.
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V. ...
... Peter calls them spots of shame and blemishes ... and had come into the land of the Moabites,
king Balak ... to a prophet in Syria, by the name of Balaam, and besought ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... border; and the crime of the Moabites, rebuked in ... punishment." (Compare Isaiah
24:6: "Therefore curse devoureth the ... as in the prophecy of Balaam, Asshur and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

And ii.
... was conquered by the Edomites and Moabites in common ... protection; but unrighteousness
destroys, because it calls down the ... proved, in our work on Balaam, p.465 seq ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

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