Numbers Chapter 22 Discussion

NUMBERS CHAPTER 22

Cont.

Balaam asks if he should continue to go to Balak, God tells him yes, but he was not to curse Israel, but bless them and to only say what He tells Balaam to say.

Here the chapter ends. The rest of the account is in chapter 23.

It is unclear if Balaam was descendant of Abraham (through sons other than Isaac or through Esau) or a descendant of Lot, or otherwise a gentile. The chapter says that his God is YHWH, because the text uses this specific name. It does not say how He knows of YHWH or whether YHWH was the only God he worshipped of one of many. He may have heard of what occurred with the Israelites over the past 40 years. He may have known about the blessings God gave to all of Abraham's sons and the promises specific to Isaac since 400-500 years had passed since Abraham lived.

So there are many questions about Balaam's belief system. Regardless, Balaam did have a sense that YHWH is to be obeyed, having power and authority over men. Balaam seemed to attest to one thing but in his heart, he really was inclined to the opposite of what he attested to. We need to be careful to not be double-minded like Balaam. We need to be careful to not go along with people we know to be evil or against God, like Balaam did. We need to be careful to not put God to the test by not fully accepting His directions to us and continuing to seek to see if He would change His will, like Balaam tried to do.

If we know that an action or way is wrong for us to do or follow, we should not seek God to grant us permission to do something that is against His will. We also should not seek the counsel of anyone who is not a believer or any source that does not align with His Word, whether a Bible teacher or secular source.

Balaam could have told Balak, "No, I will bless Israel because God is with them and His will is for them to be blessed. I want to follow God and His command to me." But Balaam did not hold his ground before the princes of Balak and refuse.

NUMBERS CHAPTER 22

This is the first part of the account of Balak and Balaam.

The Israelites had conquered many peoples of the east Jordan area and the king of Moab heard about these conquests.

The Israelites came into Moabite territory and camped across the Jordan from Jericho.

The king of Moab. Balak, was very alarmed and contacted the king of Midian to help them come against the Israelites and route them out of their land.

Balak sends some of his officials to the land of northern Mesapotamia to seek Balaam, who was a prophet that God spoke to and through but also he was a diviner and worker of evil prophecy, too. Balaam knew of the Israelites and of YHWH.

At first, after seeking God about going with the men to Moab to curse Isarael, God told him, No, Israel is blessed, so you are not to go and curse them. Balaam informed the men and they returned to Balak.

There is a second attempt to get Balaam to come to Balak and curse Israel. But God says no.

Then Balak sent his princes, men of more importance than the first group, and money for payment for his services. He again inquires of God about going with the princes to Balak and cursing the Israelites. God says that if the men come to them then he can go with them, but he must not curse the Israelites, only bless them. Balaam was to only say the words that God gives him to say.

As Balaam is on his way to Moab, riding on his donkey, God is angry at Ballam because He knows the intent of Balaam's heart event though Balaam affirms that he wants to do what God commands. The angel of the Lord appears and stands in the way. Although the donkey sees the angel, Balaam does not. Three times the donkey veers from the path to avoid the angel, but Balaam beats her each time. After the third beating, God makes the donkey speak to Balaam where she reveals that the angel is in her way and she was avoiding him. Then God allows Balaam to see the angel. He falls on his face, admits he has sinned.

The primary theme of the first oracle is Balaam's inability to curse what God has not cursed. The primary theme of the second oracle is the trustworthiness of God's promises. For now, consider that the actions of this foreigner as a commentary on the Israelites' inclination to curse what God has not cursed (the wilderness) and their lack of trust in God.

What could be the Object Lesson in Numbers 23.

Regards

Mukula

Continuing with this next chapter, Mukula, I will share some thoughts.

In Numbers chapter 22, we're reminded that this is the same God Who had to earlier deal with His children, Israel, to teach them to fear & obey Him (as we saw in Numbers chapter 21). Here, we can learn the lesson that God is not limited in His resources which can prevail upon all men; even to non-Israelites, God can bring forth His Word & put into effect His Plan. So also Gentiles can learn who this God of Israel is & that they too must fear Him.

The two main stars in this chapter (not including the ass) are Balaam (a non-Israelite seer) & Balak (a Gentile King of Moab: related to Lot & his eldest daughter: Genesis 19:31-38). Somehow Balaam knew of the True God, even though he was a Gentile living in N. Mesopotamia. He seemed to be a successful 'prophet' of some repute, & maybe in this instance sought after God because the children of God (Israel) were involved, poised against Moab. Balaam eventually learned his lesson the painful way, not to fool with God & try to change His Mind. So Baalam at least acknowledged his sin (22:34).

What is the Object Lesson in Chapter 22?

Hi Bonnita,

Happy 2-22-2022. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

have no worries about today. God will take care of it in His own way. And His ways are best!

I hope you have a wonderful day.

Hello, I just became aware of tomorrow's unusual date, but we've already had similar dates before, like 2-2-22, 2-20-2022 is like a palindrome, 12-12-12, 12-21-21. I think it's just random and doesn't have any Biblical significance. The number 7 is more Biblically significant, but I'm naturally skeptical and don't assume every instance of a 7 in society automatically has a profound meaning. Confirmation bias seems to go hand in hand with numerology, which I think is similar to the birthday paradox in how it seems to impress people.

With that being said I do believe were are near the end times, because God gave us things to keep watch for and we are seeing more of those playing out in this world. Wars, rumors of wars, strong delusions and deceptions, bad being perceived as good, and good being perceived as bad, we have all seen within the last year. We must watch out for the antichrist and definitely don't inject anything in your body you don't know what it is or does, and definitely don't take a mark, especially not one that means 666 and allows you to buy/trade.

Why should the scripture reveal anything significant based on the Gregorian calendar unknown to any biblical writer? No doubt God knew about it, but He also knew more false prophets would mislead their followers using human calculations of so called significant dates on which God would reveal certain end time events than almost any other thing. Beware of all such calculations. No one knows the day or the hour except the Father and all who say otherwise should be disregarded. We need to prepare for His coming without knowing when he will appear. Thinking we know or can know the day or the hour only puffs us up with knowledge and leads to the world's ridicule and false belief that Christ won't come when we give ear to false prophets rather than builds up the church with love which is what he will be looking for when He comes. Pursue God's love and be found serving it when He comes if you want your master's praise.

Biblically Speaking where does it talk about 2-22-22

Hello Lorraine. In this account, the Lord had already spoken to Balaam, "And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed" ( Numbers 22:12). This was a direct command - there was no further discussion that could be had in it. Yet, Balaam, though still abiding with God's Command & indicating that even if Balak would offer him silver & gold to persuade him, said that he would not disobey the command. But, what was actually in Balaam's heart? His mouth said one thing, but his heart was being tempted & lusting. So, he went to seek the Lord's Word once again on the matter (v19). By doing so, it showed that Balaam was trying to see whether the Lord would change His Mind, or at least, allow him some concession on the matter - that God would understand.

And this time, the Lord told him to go with those men (v20). I see here, that God had a lesson in obedience for Balaam (you've read the account of Balaam's ass encountering the angel of the Lord), & finally Balaam learned it the hard (& painful) way. After learning not to disobey God, Balaam was allowed to proceed & to perform His Will & His Words (in the following chapters). If this had not happened, Balaam would surely have been enticed with the gifts from Balak & therefore brought to him nice, convenient words which Balak wanted to hear. But Balaam learned his lesson & now only brought out God's Word.

And sadly, there are many servants of God, who may be enticed with gifts & the approval of men, who have detoured from God's Word & God's direction for their ministry. This is a story of compromise - there can't be any compromise before the Living God. Remember, how Israel lusted for a king - then God gave them one, Saul, who was not God's choice for them - and they suffered. We should learn from such lessons & apply them to our lives.

Lorraine Whats interesting about Balaam was what it took to stop Him and get His attention,in verse 22 he

is cruising along one an ass with two servants and doesn't see the angel but the ass turned aside! Then he's

headed down a narrow pathway the ass slamming balaam against the wall and balaam beating the ass but the

ass saw the angel dropped down and the prophet didn't get the hint until the the Lord talks to balaam through

the ass's mouth verses 28-30. Wouldn't that be enough to get your attention but God still had to reveal the

angel to balaam to get the hint and he stopped. Eventually he got with balak but didn't tell balak what he wanted

to hear, actually the exact opposite Chapter 23: 19 balaam saying to balak God is not a man that he should lie

neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he not spoken and shall

he not make it good. Its funny sometimes in our lives we need nudging like balaam only perhaps for a different

simpler reason.

Numbers 22:20,22 please note: Numbers 22:21,

GOD had said "If the men come to call the" the previous verse Numbers 22:19, he had told them to "tarry ye here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more" Those guys were already there, Balaam didn't wait. GOD has specific instructions at times especially for HIS prophets. Note: Numbers 20:7-12,

Numbers 22:32-34, Numbers 22:35 given the o.k. to go

Hopefully this is helpful.

Verse 12 says it all right from the start, but Balaam was not going to obey God.

In v. 20, God told Balaam to go with the Moab princes; then in v.21, God became angry with Balaam. Why?

Yes God told him not to go to Moab at first, but then he says he can go, but as an option.

Go with the men or listen to my first answer. Dont confuse that God gave him permission.

At the end God told him, fine if you're going at least keep my word that you will not curse the Israelites.

Like saying fine tell him in person so Balak can get it through his deep skull.

The interesting part of the story was that the angei of the Lord blocked Balaam's traverseness because his acts were so proverse before the Lord that the ass did three stubborn delays in ongoing.

I agree with you, that there seems to be an inconsistency here, with God at one point (v 12) telling Balaam not to go with those men, and then in verse 20, telling him to go with them. The only way to understand this paradox is to see it from God's viewpoint. God specifically told him not to go with them; Balaam then had some doubts about God's Word & wanted to check with Him again (v 19). This was where Balaam failed the Lord: in his doubt & his desire for some fame & fortune (vv 17,18). So, God gave him over to his lusts (v 20), which Balaam was more than happy to 'oblige', but as we know he was severely reprimanded by God (the angel & his ass) to his great sin of disobedience.

in ch22 of book numbers verse 22 GOD permitted BILEYAM to go with people sent by BALAK. then why GOD got angry with BILEYAM pl explain.

Amen

Verse 20~God allowed Balaam to go with the men, but Balaam could only speak what Jehovah God told him to. Balaam continued to test Jehovah God and this eventually led to his downfall.

Verse 12: Balaam was specifically told by Jehovah God not to curse the Israelites. He was so greedy that he willingly disobeyed Jehovah God.

"stupid,idiot,crazy?"We do have these in holy writ: Matt 23:33"vipers",Pro.21:27"wicked mind"pride, depraved, Hebrews 11:20 fools, Dan 5:20"mind hardened in pride",reprobate mind, carnally minded,feeble minded,debased,liar.The person that does not have God's wisdom,understanding, knowledge, knows nothing. God brings down mans wisdom.It was a good day when I realized how stupid I am about his word.

Num. ch. 22 - it is my understanding that at the time of Bakak - Balaam, that Israel was obeying God, but after the 3 attempts to curse them, then Balaam was inspired to tempt them with their OWN lusts; showing that we are sinful in ourselves, but if we are right with God no one can turn us away IF we don't want to be turned away. we are truly - sinner-saints

Num. 22:19, 3:35p.m. - " ... God does NOT change ... "

V. 19 - " that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more." This is EXACTLY where Ballam made his mistake; he did NOT obey the Lord; the things Balak was offering 'settled' in his mind, so he 'tempted' God, and God knew his heart so - He told Balaam to go with the servants to show His Glory to Balak and to Balam - by not letting Balaam curse Israel.

God works in wondrous ways. He uses humans as well as animals to achieve His purpose. If we are stubbornly heading for destruction, God has a way of shoving us back on track for the reason of His love for us as He did for Balaam.

To Roberta on Balaam- Read v. 12. This was God's 1st command. One does NOT dicker with God. You do what He told you the 1st time. Balaam dickered with God because he had his eye not on the things of God, but on 'advantage' for himself. He was PROPHET of God. He KNEW God's laws. Yet there was 'something' in his character that was wrong. He wanted what Barak (a type of sin) was offering.

That God sometimes works in mysterious ways and uses people we lest expect or in this case even a donkey.

That God is gracious, even in our disobedience. It 's not his will that any shall perish. I guess that 's why it 's called Amazing Grace and it existed even back then.