Browse Bible Study Resources

3rd Attempt of Balak-Balaam to Curse Israel

Text: Numbers 23:27-30; 24:1-14
19 September 2016

3RD ATTEMPT OF BALAK-BALAAM TO CURSE ISRAEL

Numbers 23:27-30

1. At the top of Mount Peor   (Numbers 23:27)

2. Overlooking wasteland   (Numbers 23:28)

3. Balaam’s instructions to build altars

a) Seven altars
b) Seven rams
c) Seven ewes   (Numbers 23:29-30)

4. Balak’s hope

a) Perhaps it will please God to curse Israel   (Numbers 23:27)
b) He held on to this thought despite his past 2 experiences

BALAAM’S UNDERSTANDING

1. He realised that God had plans to bless Israel   (Numbers 24:1)

2. He did not attempt to use sorcery   (Numbers 24:1)

3. He turned his face toward the wilderness   (Numbers 24:1)

WHAT DID BALAAM HOPE TO DO?

1. He would not become a mouthpiece for God

2. Looking at the wilderness could give him many negative thoughts/ feelings

3. He was hoping that he could utter his own words

a) Against Israel
b) He must have believed that his words were indeed powerful
c) He was still trying to please Balak and earn his fee

WHAT DID GOD DO?

1. The Spirit of God came upon him   (Numbers 24:2)

2. Once again he could not but be God’s oracle   (Numbers 24:3-9)

UTTERANCE OF BALAAM

1. Utterance (3 times this word was used)

2. This was what he heard as “the words of God”   (Numbers 24:3-4)

3. The dwellings/ tents of Jacob/ Israel   (Numbers 24:5-9)

a) Valleys that stretch out
b) Gardens by the riverside
c) Aloes planted by the LORD
d) Cedars beside the waters
e) His king shall be higher than Agag   (Amalekite king)
f) His kingdom exalted
g) Strength of an ox
h) He will consume his enemies
i) He is like a lion
j) Blessed!

ANGER OF BALAK

1. He expresses anger and frustration against Balaam

2. He will not give anything to Balaam   (Numbers 24:10-11)

BALAAM’S RESPONSE

1. He reminds Balak what he had said at the beginning   (Numbers 24:12-13)

2. He will return to his own people   (Numbers 24:14)