Temptation: Balak Tempts Balaam
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The narrative of Balak tempting Balaam is a significant episode found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24. This account highlights the themes of temptation, divine sovereignty, and the struggle between human desires and God's will.

Context and Background

Balak, the king of Moab, becomes alarmed as the Israelites encamp on the plains of Moab, having recently defeated the Amorites. Fearing the might of Israel, Balak seeks to employ Balaam, a renowned prophet, to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them and secure victory for Moab. This episode underscores the tension between the pagan practices of the surrounding nations and the divine protection over Israel.

The Temptation

Balak sends messengers to Balaam with the promise of a handsome reward, urging him to come and curse Israel. Balaam, known for his ability to bless and curse, is tempted by the offer of wealth and honor. Initially, Balaam seeks God's guidance, and God instructs him not to go with the Moabite officials, stating, "You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12).

Despite God's clear directive, Balak persists, sending more distinguished officials with promises of greater rewards. Balaam's response reveals his internal struggle: "Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do anything small or great" (Numbers 22:18). Yet, Balaam's desire for the reward leads him to seek God's permission again.

Divine Intervention

God permits Balaam to go with the officials but commands him to speak only what He instructs. As Balaam sets out, God's anger is kindled because Balaam's heart is inclined toward the reward rather than obedience. The Angel of the LORD confronts Balaam on the road, and Balaam's donkey, seeing the angel, refuses to proceed. This miraculous event culminates in the donkey speaking to Balaam, and Balaam's eyes being opened to the angel's presence. The angel reiterates God's command: "Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you" (Numbers 22:35).

Balaam's Prophecies

Upon reaching Balak, Balaam is taken to various high places to view the Israelites and pronounce curses. However, each time Balaam attempts to curse, God intervenes, and Balaam blesses Israel instead. Balaam declares, "How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8). Despite Balak's frustration and repeated attempts to manipulate the situation, Balaam remains bound by God's word.

Theological Implications

The account of Balak tempting Balaam serves as a profound illustration of God's unassailable sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. It highlights the danger of succumbing to temptation and the importance of aligning one's actions with divine instruction. Balaam's experience is a cautionary tale about the perils of greed and the necessity of unwavering obedience to God.

This narrative also foreshadows the ultimate blessing and protection that God promises to His people, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical canon. The account of Balaam and Balak is a testament to the truth that no weapon formed against God's people shall prosper, as God's purposes prevail over human schemes.
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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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Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
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Library

Tenth Commandment
... is, desire to be), rich fall into temptation and a ... crown for the riches and honors
that Balak promised him ... better than quote his words: "Coveting tempts us into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... But as it fared with wicked Balaam, so shall it fare with these, and their vain ... For,
as the apostle saith, 'They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... collection of those proverbs and sayings of the ancients, occasioned by the temptation
of that ... 1. He tempts by means; he appeareth not in his own shape and hue ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Resources
Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.org

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations? | GotQuestions.org

How does Satan tempt us? | GotQuestions.org

Temptation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Temptation

Temptation of Christ

Temptation: A Test

Temptation: Abimelech

Temptation: Abraham Leads Pharaoh

Temptation: Achan

Temptation: Always Conformable to the Nature of Man

Temptation: Balaam

Temptation: Balak Tempts Balaam

Temptation: Blessedness of Those Who Meet and Overcome

Temptation: Christ is Able to Help Those Under

Temptation: Christ Keeps Faithful Saints from the Hour of

Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Devil

Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Wicked

Temptation: Christ: Intercedes for his People Under

Temptation: Christ: Overcame

Temptation: Christ: Resisted by the Word of God

Temptation: Christ: Sympathises With Those Under

Temptation: Comes From: Covetousness

Temptation: Comes From: Lusts

Temptation: David

Temptation: Does not Come from God

Temptation: Eve

Temptation: Evil Associates, the Instruments of

Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning

Temptation: Gideon Leads the People of Israel Into Sin

Temptation: God Cannot be the Subject of

Temptation: God Enables the Saints to Bear

Temptation: God Knows How to Deliver Saints out of

Temptation: God Will Make a Way for Saints to Escape out of

Temptation: God Will not Suffer Saints to be Exposed To, Beyond Their

Temptation: Has Strength Through the Weakness of the Flesh

Temptation: Jeroboam

Temptation: Jeroboam Leads the Northern Kingdom (Israel) Into

Temptation: Joseph

Temptation: Leading Into: Prayer Against Being Led Into

Temptation: Mere Professors Fall Away in Time of

Temptation: Often Arises Through: Poverty

Temptation: Often Arises Through: Prosperity

Temptation: Often Arises Through: Worldly Glory

Temptation: Often Ends in Sin and Perdition

Temptation: Often Strengthened by the Perversion of God's Word

Temptation: Paul

Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Disinterestedness

Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Faith

Temptation: Peter

Temptation: Resistance To

Temptation: Saints May be in Heaviness Through

Temptation: Saints should Avoid the Way of

Temptation: Saints should not to Occasion, to Others

Temptation: Saints should Pray to be Kept From

Temptation: Saints should Resist, in Faith

Temptation: Saints should Restore Those Overcome By

Temptation: Saints should Watch Against

Temptation: The Devil is the Author of

Temptation: The Devil Will Renew

Temptation: The Old Prophet of Beth-El, the Prophet of Judah

Temptation: To Distrust of God's Providence

Temptation: To Presumption

Temptation: To Worshipping the God of This World

Temptation: Yielding to Achan

Temptation: Yielding to Adam and Eve

Temptation: Yielding to Balaam

Temptation: Yielding to David, to Commit Adultery

Temptation: Yielding to Hezekiah

Temptation: Yielding to Isaac, to Lie

Temptation: Yielding to Jacob, to Defraud Esau

Temptation: Yielding to Peter

Temptation: Yielding to Sarah, to Lie

Temptation: Yielding to Solomon, to Become an Idolater Through the Influences of his Wives

Temptation: Yielding to The Prophet of Judah

Temptation: Yielding to To Count the Nation of Israel

Related Terms

Tempt (18 Occurrences)

Points (18 Occurrences)

Weak (102 Occurrences)

Frail (6 Occurrences)

Phygellus (1 Occurrence)

Phygelus (1 Occurrence)

Serpent (40 Occurrences)

Tried (96 Occurrences)

Satan (50 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Outlet (3 Occurrences)

Overtaken (36 Occurrences)

Willing (152 Occurrences)

Watching (111 Occurrences)

Tempted (25 Occurrences)

Rescue (92 Occurrences)

Eve (5 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Provide (74 Occurrences)

Baggage (15 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Provocation (20 Occurrences)

Issue (59 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Lest (282 Occurrences)

Escape (142 Occurrences)

Watch (203 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Indeed (628 Occurrences)

Enter (372 Occurrences)

Evil (1503 Occurrences)

Common (118 Occurrences)

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)

Seized (118 Occurrences)

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Old (3966 Occurrences)

Strength (517 Occurrences)

Forward (252 Occurrences)

Allow (86 Occurrences)

Mayest (240 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Son (25967 Occurrences)

Lead (192 Occurrences)

Deliver (397 Occurrences)

Beyond (209 Occurrences)

Nature (80 Occurrences)

Fall (522 Occurrences)

Heaven (653 Occurrences)

Stand (542 Occurrences)

Testament (13 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Body (562 Occurrences)

Virgin (62 Occurrences)

Adam (29 Occurrences)

Sin (782 Occurrences)

Bring (1372 Occurrences)

Man's (347 Occurrences)

Birth (357 Occurrences)

Desert (322 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Quarantania

Volition

Kind (290 Occurrences)

Unwise (16 Occurrences)

Unrighteous (32 Occurrences)

Offence (27 Occurrences)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

One (26466 Occurrences)

Opportune (4 Occurrences)

Lying (203 Occurrences)

Lusts (28 Occurrences)

Wishing (25 Occurrences)

Welcomed (30 Occurrences)

Wakeful (3 Occurrences)

Incapable (5 Occurrences)

Illness (15 Occurrences)

Inasmuch (42 Occurrences)

Temptation: Balaam
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