07 Numbers 21-25 – To the Plains of Moab
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - Life in the DesertAll written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – Life in the Desert.” Here is my video presentation introducing this series – https://youtu.be/Lynx51p0tJA.
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Highlights from this part of Numbers include the bronze serpent, the defeat of enemy kings Sihon and Og, and Balaam’s frustrated efforts to curse Israel for Balak, Moab’s king. Here, as Peter would later write, “but [Balaam] received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet” (2 Pe 2:16).
Numbers 21
21:1-3 First Canaanite Victory – Over Arad
Irony: after failure re: spies, continual victories.
21:4-9 The Bronze Serpent (medical symbol?)
2 Kg 18:4 (Hezekiah, c. 715 BC); Jn 3:14-15
21:10-20 Through Transjordan; Song of the Well
21:21-30 Defeat of King Sihon (Amorites)
21:31-35 Defeat of King Og (Bashan)
Both attacked Israel and so lost their lands.
See Moses’ review in Deut 1-3. Note Deut 3:11.
Numbers 22
22:1–24:25 Balak, Balaam, and Israel
None can curse whom God has blessed.
Balak – King of Moab, fearful of Israel. He hires:
Balaam – Pagan seer, hired to curse Israel.
Devout and pious? 22:18, 38; 23:5, 12; 24:2.
”I can only speak what the LORD says.”
Greedy? 22:7, 18f; 31:16; Dt 23:4-5; 2 Pet 2:15.
”More money, eh? Let me check and try again!”
Cf also Num 31:8; Josh 13:21-22; Jude 11.
Balaam Inscription – ca. 800 BC
Discovered at Deir ‘Alla, often identified as the biblical city of Succoth.
The ink on the plaster inscription details “the sayings of Balaam, son of Beor, the man who was a seer of the gods.” It describes the destruction the gods have planned for the city.
Numbers 22
22:1-6 Balak Summons Balaam. (Bless, curse)
22:7-14 Balaam Rejects Balak’s 1st Invitation.
“You shall not curse them. They are blessed.”
22:15-21 Balaam Accepts Balak’s 2nd Invitation.
”No matter how much $$$ … Wait! I’ll go!”
22:22-35 Balaam & His Donkey Meet the Angel.
Donkey sees, knows, acts, speaks better than he!
2 Pet 2:15-16 Dumb donkey restrained madness.
22:36-41 Balak Greets Balaam.
Numbers 23
23:1–24:14 Balaam Blesses Israel Three Times.
23:1-12 Balaam Speaks the 1st Blessing.
Words assumed to have power to be fulfilled.
Bribe God with 7 altars, bulls, and rams.
Tries to curse, but blesses instead. “I told you!”
23:19 Unlike man, God does not lie.
23:13-30 Balaam Speaks the 2nd Blessing.
New place, same song, same verse, same result.
Balak: ”Just be quiet! Let’s try another place!”
Numbers 24
24:1-14 Balaam Speaks the 3rd Blessing.
No more omens. The Spirit of God upon him.
Eden images. Future king. Lion. Blessing / curse.
24:15-25 Balaam Speaks His Final Oracle.
Again, future king. Star, scepter, to crush Moab.
Defeat of Amalekites, Kenites (Midianites), Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (Israel’s ancestor).
Numbers 25
25:1-5 Israel’s Idolatry & Immorality: Baal-Peor
At Balaam’s instigation. Num 31:16; Rev 2:14
Goal: to curse Israel by leading her into sin.
25:6-9 Defiant Sin; Decisive Intervention
A chief’s son (Zimri) brazenly takes a Midianite princess (Cozbi) into a tent to have relations.
Phinehas, high priest’s son, spears both of them.
25:10-13 Phinehas’ Reward: Priestly Dynasty
25:14-18 Moabites’ Penalty: Defeat (Num 31)
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Broad Outline of Numbers: Three Stages
1:1-10:10
Sinai: Preparation to Enter Land
Time: 20 days (Cf. 1:1; 10:11)
10:11-21:35
From Sinai to Moab: Failure to Enter Land
Time: 38 years, 3 months, 10 days
22:1-36:13
Plains of Moab: Preparation #2 to Enter Land
Time: c. 5 months
I think it interesting that God not only spoke through His prophets and used pagan nations to chasten His people. He also used pagans to protect them as well, as He did with Balaam, a pagan diviner.
I also find it interesting that twice “God came to Balaam and said,…” (22:9 & 20). If God came and spoke to me directly, I think I would have to change my ways, wouldn’t you? I know, today, we have His inspired word which tells us we need to turn from our wicked ways and many do not/will not listen, but I do believe if I had direct revelation from the Almighty, I would have to obey. [Just my thoughts].
(Vs 21ff.). You have to admire Balaam’s enthusiasm, although it was for the wrong reason and against God’s will. I think often we have the same enthusiasm, but forget to consult God through His word and prayer. Often, this is one of the biggest reason our efforts fail. I am reminded of a time when the Israelites did something similar with respect to Ai. (Joshua 7)
Greg, such helpful comments. How could Balaam refuse to obey God? He “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15). Apparently he wanted to have it both ways, but no one can serve both God and money. Greed has always been a great temptation for so many. Thank you, brother!