Números 22

Números 22

William MacDonald - Balaam’s reason for going is clearly pointed out in 2 Peter 2:15, 16+. He was motivated by his love of “the wages of unrighteousness.” He is typical of the “hireling prophet” who prostitutes his God-given ability for money. (BBC) God, Donkeys, And Us If God is for us, who can be against us? — Romans 8:31 Today's Scripture: Numbers 22:21-35 Pastor Gumercindo rides a donkey as he travels from village to village in Brazil and preaches the gospel. According to author Don Hare, the traveling evangelist fell asleep in the saddle on his return home after a tiring day. A couple of hours later he was rudely awakened by the roughness of the ride. His donkey had left the trail and was walking through a rocky field. At first the pastor was angry, but he calmed down when he saw that they were almost back to his village. When he arrived at his church, he learned that friends had gathered to pray for his safety. A rancher who hated the gospel had sent some men to attack him at a bend in the trail. They thanked God for causing the donkey to take a shortcut home. Centuries ago, God used another donkey. This one miraculously spoke and saved the life of Balaam, a disobedient, money-hungry prophet (Num. 22:21-35). God got his attention, and Balaam took the Lord’s message to Moab. My times are in my Father's hand; How could I wish or ask for more? For He who has my pathway planned Will guide me till my journey's o'er. | —Fraser Because God is with us, we need not fear what is ahead of us. Numbers 22:22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. BGT Numbers 22:22 καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ὁ θεὸς ὅτι ἐπορεύθη αὐτός καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐνδιαβάλλειν αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπιβεβήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ καὶ δύο παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 22:22 Then God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. NLT Numbers 22:22 But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the LORD to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, ESV Numbers 22:22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. NIV Numbers 22:22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. KJV Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. YLT Numbers 22:22 and the anger of God burneth because he is going, and a messenger of Jehovah stationeth himself in the way for an adversary to him, and he is riding on his ass, and two of his servants are with him, LXE Numbers 22:22 And God was very angry because he went; and the angel of the Lord rose up to withstand him. Now he had mounted his ass, and his two servants were with him. ASV Numbers 22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. CSB Numbers 22:22 But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. NKJ Numbers 22:22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. NRS Numbers 22:22 God's anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. NAB Numbers 22:22 But now the anger of God flared up at him for going, and the angel of the LORD stationed himself on the road to hinder him as he was riding along on his ass, accompanied by two of his servants. NJB Numbers 22:22 His going kindled Yahweh's anger, and the angel of Yahweh took his stand on the road to bar his way. Balaam was riding his donkey and his two servants were with him. GWN Numbers 22:22 God became angry that he was going. So the Messenger of the LORD stood in the road to stop him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. God: 2Ki 10:20 Ho 1:4 Angel of the LORD Nu 22:35 Ge 48:15,16 Ex 3:2-6 Ho 12:4,5 stand: Nu 22:32 Ex 4:24 La 2:4 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Exodus 3:2-6 The Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. 3 So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Angel of Yahweh in the Way! THE IRONICAL SATIRICAL STORY OF THE BLIND SEER! But God - The term of contrast BUT usually figuratively depicts a change of direction but here it depicts a literal change of direction for Balaam! But God - 41x in 41v - Gen. 8:1; Gen. 17:19; Gen. 20:3; Gen. 21:12; Gen. 45:8; Gen. 48:21; Gen. 50:20; Gen. 50:24; Exod. 21:13; Num. 22:22; Jdg. 15:19; 1 Sam. 23:14; 1 Chr. 28:3; Job 34:5; Ps. 49:15; Ps. 52:5; Ps. 64:7; Ps. 73:26; Ps. 75:7; Jon. 4:7; Mk. 2:7; Lk. 5:21; Lk. 12:20; Lk. 16:15; Acts 2:24; Acts 7:6; Acts 7:42; Acts 13:30; Rom. 5:8; 1 Co. 1:27; 1 Co. 3:6; 1 Co. 3:7; 1 Co. 6:13; 1 Co. 7:15; 1 Co. 12:24; 1 Co. 15:38; 2 Co. 7:6; Gal. 3:18; Eph. 2:4; Phil. 2:27; 1 Thess. 2:4 Was angry because he was going - The anger of Jehovah was stirred up because of the disobedience of Balaam. Hebrew aph and Lxx orgizo which means to become (very) angry. THOUGHT - I know speaking for myself, I tend to forget that sin invokes God's wrath and makes Him angry. This is a truth if we kept at the front of our mind's eye, we would likely be less likely to miss God's mark (aka "sin"). This truth couple with continued dependence on God's Spirit can fortify us to fight when the temptations come and to "abstain (present tense - only possible as Spirit enables! Note middle voice indicating we initiate [as Spirit gives us desire - Php 2:13NLT+] and participate in this act! E.g. we might also "Flee" as in 1 Cor 6:18+) from fleshly lusts (epithumia - strong desires to rebel against the word and will of God) which wage war (strateuomai in present tense = continually carry on a "military campaign" - not just one battle but continual battles!) against our soul (not just our mind but the very essence of our being!)." (1 Peter 2:11+). Anger (nose, nostril, wrath) (0639) aph from anaph = to breathe hard, to be angry) is a masculine noun meaning nose, nostril, snout (pigs - Pr 11:22), face (2Sa 25:23) and anger. Both senses are found in Proverbs 30:22 - "For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose (aph) brings forth blood; so the churning of anger (aph) produces strife." Uses in Numbers Num. 11:1; Num. 11:10; Num. 11:20; Num. 11:33; Num. 12:9; Num. 14:18; Num. 22:22; Num. 22:27; Num. 22:31; Num. 24:10; Num. 25:3; Num. 25:4; Num. 32:10; Num. 32:13; Num. 32:14 Pfeiffer - The use of a participle in the Hebrew suggests the translation, “God’s anger was kindled as he was going.” Though God had granted Balaam’s wish that he might go, His anger arose because the prophet’s heart was swayed by his love of “the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15). (Wycliffe Bible Commentary) Merrill - The Lord had already given Balaam permission to go (Nu 22:20) so this resistance was not against his going but against his unspoken motive or intention (he “loved the wages of wickedness,” 2 Peter 2:15), which was obviously contrary to God’s will (cf. Num. 22:32b, 34–35). (BKC) And the Angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him - This is not a created angel (who would have been powerful enough to do this if God so choose), but is the Angel of the LORD, a pre-incarnate Christophany. This is the Lord Jesus Christ (before His incarnation) impeding Balaam's progress forward. Not only was He in the way, but was specifically called an adversary against him. God stood as an "adversary" because no curse could undo the covenants and agreements already made with Israel. The Septuagint uses the verb endiaballo which means to stand in the way as an adversary, to divert from a purpose. Milgrom - Later the term satan is personified as Satan (see 1 Chron. 21:1). Here it is used attributively, as in 1 Samuel 29:4. Adversary (07854)(satan) means adversary, opponent, accuser. Most uses refer to Satan the adversary of God and thus related to relate to "the cosmic struggle in the unseen world between God and the opposing forces of darkness." In 1 Chronicles 21:1 "Then Satan (satan) stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel." Gibrant on satan - In the narrative portions of the OT, sātān generally refers to a person's adversary in military and political realms (1 Sam. 29:4; 1 Ki. 5:4; 11:14, 23, 25). For example, 1 Ki. 11:14 says, "The Lord stirred an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom." In Psalms, sātān takes on the legal sense of verbal accusation by adversaries (Ps. 109:6). Even the angel of the Lord was described as a sātān when he opposed Balaam (Num. 22:22, 32). Throughout history, Satan has been mankind's most noted opponent, called "that old serpent" (Rev. 12:9; cf. Gen. 3:1), in reference to Eve's deception in the Garden. Some of the evil one's other biblical identifications include "son of the morning" (Isa. 14:12), "covering cherub" (Ezek. 28:16), "Satan" (Zech. 3:1; Rom. 16:20), "prince of this world" (John 12:31), "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). The Bible records the progressive failure and ultimate doom of Satan and his demonic plans. God created the one now known as Satan to be a heavenly angel and adorned him with beauty. However, the wicked pride found in Satan caused him to instigate a rivalry of power and majesty with God (cf. the king of Babylon, Isa. 14:12-15; the king of Tyre, Ezek. 28:12-19; 1 Tim. 3:16). Subsequently, God cast him from heaven to earth in disgrace, thus fueling Satan's hatred against God and his beloved creation. Satan's first recorded interaction with mankind came in the Garden of Eden. Although the OT does not directly identify the serpent who deceived Adam and Eve as Satan, Paul makes the connection in the NT (Rom. 16:20). Satan incited David to take a census of Israel despite God's command not to do so (1 Chr. 21:1). The account of Satan's wager with God concerning the righteousness of Job reveals several things about the activities of Satan. First, Satan roams "to and fro in the earth" and travels "up and down in it" (Job 1:7; 2:2). Second, he often dwells in the company of angels (1:6; 2:1). And third, every remnant of power Satan possesses comes from God, Who literally must give his permission before Satan can act (1:12; 2:6). This certainly does not imply that God condones or authors evil, but that He merely allows Satan to function on earth for a time. In Zechariah's vision, the supernatural commander of evil, Satan himself, stands on the right hand of Joshua in order to accuse him of sin (Zech. 3:1), but the Accuser is rebuked by God, Who informs him that Joshua's sin has been taken away. In the NT, Jesus prophesied that after his crucifixion and ascension, Satan's defeat would be complete and he would no longer be able to accuse the brethren (John 12:31; Rev. 12:10). And following the Millennium, Satan will be bound and thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, along with the beast and false prophet. Together, they "will be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (20:10). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Satan - 27x in 23v- accuser(1), adversary(8), Satan(18).Num. 22:22; Num. 22:32; 1 Sam. 29:4; 2 Sam. 19:22; 1 Ki. 5:4; 1 Ki. 11:14; 1 Ki. 11:23; 1 Ki. 11:25; 1 Chr. 21:1; Job 1:6; Job 1:7; Job 1:8; Job 1:9; Job 1:12; Job 2:1; Job 2:2; Job 2:3; Job 2:4; Job 2:6; Job 2:7; Ps. 109:6; Zech. 3:1; Zech. 3:2 Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him - This gives us the background context for the Angel of the LORD taking His stand in the way. "Balaam was determined to go, you see. He was a covetous man." (McGee) Milgrom - Balak’s officials (v. 21) have disappeared. Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way. BGT Numbers 22:23 καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν ῥομφαίαν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἡ ὄνος ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύετο εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ τοῦ εὐθῦναι αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ NET Numbers 22:23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, so the donkey turned aside from the road and went into the field. But Balaam beat the donkey, to make her turn back to the road. NLT Numbers 22:23 Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. ESV Numbers 22:23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. NIV Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. KJV Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. YLT Numbers 22:23 and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and the ass turneth aside out of the way, and goeth into a field, and Balaam smiteth the ass to turn it aside into the way. LXE Numbers 22:23 And when the ass saw the angel of God standing opposite in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, then the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and Balaam smote the ass with his staff to direct her in the way. ASV Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. CSB Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing on the path with a drawn sword in His hand, she turned off the path and went into the field. So Balaam hit her to return her to the path. NKJ Numbers 22:23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. NRS Numbers 22:23 The donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand; so the donkey turned off the road, and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. NAB Numbers 22:23 When the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing on the road with sword drawn, she turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam had to beat her to bring her back on the road. NJB Numbers 22:23 Now the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, and she turned off the road into the open country. Balaam then struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. GWN Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the Messenger of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn, the donkey turned off the road into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to get it back on the road. the ass saw: 2Ki 6:17 1Ch 21:16 Da 10:7 Ac 22:9 1Co 1:27-29 2Pe 2:16 Jude 1:11 the ass turned: Jer 8:7 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AN ANIMAL WITH SPIRITUAL VISION When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand - Clearly God was angry with Balaam going to Balak. This same motif is seen in other OT scenes Genesis 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life. Joshua 5:13-15 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” 14 He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The captain of the LORD’S host (aka Angel of the LORD) said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. 1 Chronicles 21:16 Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the Angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. The donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way - Balaam's word (surely he was shouting at the donkey) were as ineffectual on the donkey as they would be on Israel. Envision this incredible scene. Milgrom writes "as a Mesopotamian diviner, Balaam should have recognized that his animal’s bizarre actions may have held a divine portent." His donkey had never done that before! God was trying to get Balaam's attention with the donkey going into the field. Who do you think made the donkey go into the field? It was Yahweh behind the scenes, in full control of the scenes He is behind! And yet Balaam did not have spiritual eyes to see it, because his eyes had been blinded by the "bucks." Any spiritual vision he had possessed was replaced with visions of "dollar signs" so to speak. If you are chasing money, God may let you succeed, but you will lose your soul. Jesus warned "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mk 8:34-38+) Balaam needed to hear the words of Jesus to Saul that "it is hard to kick against the goads." (Acts 26:14+) The goads in Balaam's case were the repeated attempts of a "dumb" donkey to lead him in the way of righteousness! The Unseen World The Angel of the Lord [was] standing in the way. — Numbers 22:23 Today's Scripture: Numbers 22:21-31 Did you know that the microbes on just one of your hands outnumber all of the people on the earth? Or that millions of microbes could fit into the eye of a needle? These one-celled, living organisms are too small for us to see without a microscope, yet they live in the air, soil, water, and even in our bodies. We constantly interact with them, even though their world is completely beyond our senses. The realities of the spiritual world are also often not visible to us humans, as the prophet Balaam discovered. He was trudging along the road with his two servants when his donkey “saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand” (Num. 22:23). To avoid the angel, the animal walked into a field, crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall, and lay down with Balaam still on her back. Balaam was angry and struck the donkey. He didn’t realize something supernatural was going on—until God opened his eyes (v.31). Heavenly Father, help us to be strong in You and in the power of Your might. Open our eyes so that we may see the spiritual realities You have for us. All that is seen and unseen is under God’s sovereign power. Numbers 22:24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. BGT Numbers 22:24 καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς αὔλαξιν τῶν ἀμπέλων φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν NET Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a path among the vineyards, where there was a wall on either side. NLT Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. ESV Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. NIV Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. KJV Numbers 22:24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. YLT Numbers 22:24 And the messenger of Jehovah standeth in a narrow path of the vineyards -- a wall on this side and a wall on that -- LXE Numbers 22:24 And the angel of the Lord stood in the avenues of the vines, a fence being on this side and a fence on that. ASV Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. CSB Numbers 22:24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between the vineyards, with a stone wall on either side. NKJ Numbers 22:24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. NRS Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. NAB Numbers 22:24 Then the angel of the LORD took his stand in a narrow lane between vineyards with a stone wall on each side. NJB Numbers 22:24 The angel of Yahweh then went and stood on a narrow path among the vineyards, with a wall to the right and a wall to the left. GWN Numbers 22:24 Where the road went through the vineyards, it was narrow, with stone walls on both sides. Now the Messenger of the LORD stood there. Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE ANGEL TIGHTENS THE PATHWAY Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side - This is a narrow path that Jesus did not want him on in contrast to the narrow way He desires all men to travel in Mt 7:14+. Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again. BGT Numbers 22:25 καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ προσέθλιψεν ἑαυτὴν πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον καὶ ἀπέθλιψεν τὸν πόδα Βαλααμ καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι μαστίξαι αὐτήν NET Numbers 22:25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself into the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he beat her again. NLT Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. ESV Numbers 22:25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. NIV Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again. KJV Numbers 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. YLT Numbers 22:25 and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and is pressed unto the wall, and presseth Balaam's foot unto the wall, and he addeth to smite her; LXE Numbers 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of God, she thrust herself against the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall, and he smote her again. ASV Numbers 22:25 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. CSB Numbers 22:25 The donkey saw the Angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, squeezing Balaam's foot against it. So he hit her once again. NKJ Numbers 22:25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again. NRS Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it scraped against the wall, and scraped Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck it again. NAB Numbers 22:25 When the ass saw the angel of the LORD there, she shrank against the wall; and since she squeezed Balaam's leg against it, he beat her again. NJB Numbers 22:25 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and scraped against the wall, scraping Balaam's foot against it, so he struck her again. GWN Numbers 22:25 When the donkey saw the Messenger of the LORD, it moved over and pinned Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam hit the donkey again. crushed Balaam's: Job 5:13-15 Isa 47:12 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DONKEY'S REPEAT VISION AND SECOND BEATING When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD - Once again the donkey sees what Balaam cannot see. she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall - The donkey was seeking to save Balaam. THOUGHT - Sometimes God allows painful circumstances in our lives to keep us from traversing a road He knows will lead to destruction and heartache. so he struck her again - "The first time was for a purpose—to get the donkey back on the road. The lack of purpose here serves to indicate that Balaam struck his donkey in sheer anger." (Milgrom) Numbers 22:26 The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left. BGT Numbers 22:26 καὶ προσέθετο ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὑπέστη ἐν τόπῳ στενῷ εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἦν ἐκκλῖναι δεξιὰν οὐδὲ ἀριστεράν NET Numbers 22:26 Then the angel of the LORD went farther, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. NLT Numbers 22:26 Then the angel of the LORD moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. ESV Numbers 22:26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. NIV Numbers 22:26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. KJV Numbers 22:26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. YLT Numbers 22:26 and the messenger of Jehovah addeth to pass over, and standeth in a strait place where there is no way to turn aside -- right or left -- LXE Numbers 22:26 And the angel of the Lord went farther, and came and stood in a narrow place where it was impossible to turn to the right or the left. ASV Numbers 22:26 And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. CSB Numbers 22:26 The Angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left. NKJ Numbers 22:26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. NRS Numbers 22:26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. NAB Numbers 22:26 The angel of the LORD then went ahead, and stopped next in a passage so narrow that there was no room to move either to the right or to the left. NJB Numbers 22:26 The angel of Yahweh then moved and stood in a place so narrow that there was no room to pass either to right or left. GWN Numbers 22:26 Then the Messenger of the LORD moved ahead and stood in a narrower place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left. where was no way: Isa 26:11 Ho 2:6 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD NARROWS THE PATHWAY The Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left - Now Balaam's way is completely blocked. Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. BGT Numbers 22:27 καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ συνεκάθισεν ὑποκάτω Βαλααμ καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλααμ καὶ ἔτυπτεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ NET Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. Then Balaam was angry, and he beat his donkey with a staff. NLT Numbers 22:27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. ESV Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. NIV Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. KJV Numbers 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. YLT Numbers 22:27 and the ass seeth the messenger of Jehovah, and croucheth under Balaam, and the anger of Balaam burneth, and he smiteth the ass with a staff. LXE Numbers 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of God, she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was angry, and struck the ass with his staff. ASV Numbers 22:27 And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. CSB Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she crouched down under Balaam. So he became furious and beat the donkey with his stick. NKJ Numbers 22:27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. NRS Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. NAB Numbers 22:27 When the ass saw the angel of the LORD there, she cowered under Balaam. So, in anger, he again beat the ass with his stick. NJB Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, she lay down under Balaam. Balaam flew into a rage and struck the donkey with his stick. GWN Numbers 22:27 When the donkey saw the Messenger of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam. Balaam became so angry he hit the donkey with his stick. and Balaam's anger: Pr 14:16 27:3,4 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DONKEY'S THIRD SIGHTING AND BEATING When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam - Again the donkey proves herself smarter than her rider and more in tune with the will of God! Balaam's spiritual blindness persists. So Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick - Balaam's third striking of the poor donkey. Balaam is more of a brute than his beast! -- Milgrom Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" BGT Numbers 22:28 καὶ ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου καὶ λέγει τῷ Βαλααμ τί ἐποίησά σοι ὅτι πέπαικάς με τοῦτο τρίτον NET Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?" NLT Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD gave the donkey the ability to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?" it asked Balaam. ESV Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" NIV Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" KJV Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? YLT Numbers 22:28 And Jehovah openeth the mouth of the ass, and she saith to Balaam, 'What have I done to thee that thou hast smitten me these three times?' LXE Numbers 22:28 And God opened the mouth of the ass, and she says to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me this third time? ASV Numbers 22:28 And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? CSB Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she asked Balaam, "What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?" NKJ Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" NRS Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" NAB Numbers 22:28 But now the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she asked Balaam, "What have I done to you that you should beat me these three times?" NJB Numbers 22:28 Yahweh then gave the donkey the power to talk, and she said to Balaam, 'What harm have I done you, for you to strike me three times like this?' GWN Numbers 22:28 Then the LORD made the donkey speak, and it asked Balaam, "What have I done to make you hit me three times?" the Lord opened: And where is the wonder of all this? If the ass had opened her own mouth, and reproved the rash prophet, we might well be astonished; but when God opens the mouth, an ass can speak as well as a man. It is to no purpose to speak of the construction of the ass's mouth, of the formation of the tongue and jaws being unfit for speaking; for an adequate cause is assigned for this wonderful effect, "The Lord opened the mouth of the ass"; and no one who believes in a God, can doubt of his power to do this and much more. Ex 4:11 Lu 1:37 1Co 1:19 2Pe 2:16 What have I: Ro 8:22 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE DONKEY PROVES SMARTER THAN BALAAM And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey - Just as He did with His prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 3:27; Ezek 33:22). Is anything too difficult for the LORD? (Jer 32:17, 27+) Of course not and here we have a talking donkey. Three times the LORD had tried to get the message through to Balaam that going with Balak's messengers was a bad idea, so now He invokes a miracle to convey the message, but still chooses to use the medium of a "dumb" donkey. Clearly, the one who was "dumb" was not the donkey but the rider! Wenham makes a great point - This parallelism between Balaam and his (donkey) suggests that the ability to declare God’s word is not necessarily a sign of Balaam’s holiness, only that God can use anyone to be his spokesman. Throughout the Bible, prophecy and other ecstatic spiritual gifts are regarded as signs of inspiration, but not necessarily of holiness or of a right standing with God. False prophets may accurately foretell the future (Deut. 13:1–5). Though condemned to lose his throne, Saul still prophesied (1 Sa 19:23–24). Caiaphas prophesied the death of Christ (John 11:51–52). Jewish exorcists cast out demons in Jesus’ name without believing in him (Mark 9:38–39; Acts 9:13–16). The Corinthian church was long on ecstatic spiritual experience but short on love, holiness and sound doctrine (1 Cor. 1–15). Our Lord warned that on the last day neither prophecy, exorcism nor miracles would guarantee entry to the kingdom of heaven, only ‘he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven’ (Matt. 7:21–23).(TOTC-Nu) Recall that Adam and Eve were confronted and confounded by the talking serpent who was the incarnation of Satan (Ge 3:1). Peter gives us a commentary on this strange event likenking the false teachers of 2 Peter 2:1-3ff to Balaam declaring of the false teachers that they were... forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he 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 Peter 2:15-16+) Comment - So here the Donkey is seen as God's agent of rebuke restraining the madness of the prophet (note Balaam the diviner is called a prophet, but see Dt 13:1-5). What was the "madness" in context? His love for wages of unrighteousness. This is why the Angel of the LORD was angry. And in fact Balaam proved to be a teacher as Jesus declared in Revelation 2:14 (see comments on this passage) Milgrom - He gave the ass the power of speech (see Ezekiel 3:27 and 33:22). These words are a satiric play on Balaam’s reputed prophetic gifts, for the Lord also uses Balaam’s mouth as the vehicle for His message (Nu 22:38 = " The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”; Nu 23:5 = "Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth", Nu 23:12, 16).(Ibid) And she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" - Imagine Balaam's mouth open at the LORD opening the mouth of the donkey! I wonder if Balaam's talking donkey was the inspiration for the popular show Francis the Talking Mule? Question: Did Balaam’s donkey really talk to him? Answer: The story of Balaam and his talking donkey is found in Numbers 22. Balaam was a pagan prophet who practiced divination and other magic arts, led Israel into apostasy, and was identified as a greedy, unscrupulous man by Peter and Jude (2 Peter 2:15 –16; Jude 1:11). Fearing the encroaching Israelites, King Balak of Moab sent for Balaam and enlisted his aid in repelling the Israelites by cursing them. The Lord spoke to Balaam and told him to refuse to go to Balak, although the Lord relented under the condition that Balaam would speak only His words. So Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab back to Balak. But knowing Balaam’s heart, the Lord’s anger burned against Balaam for what He knew was Balaam’s rebelliousness, and He sent an angel with a drawn sword to bar his way. Although Balaam couldn’t see the angel, his donkey could, and she tried to discontinue the journey by going off the path, crushing Balaam’s foot against the wall and lying down on the path. Angered by her behavior, Balaam used his staff to beat the donkey three times. Then in Numbers 22:28, we learn that “the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’” Then Balaam and the donkey proceeded to have a conversation about the situation, with Balaam angrily berating the donkey, after which the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel and understand why his journey was stopped. There is no doubt that Balaam’s donkey spoke to him. The question that arises is whether the donkey was suddenly given the power of speech, which would also mean she was given the power to reason because she answered Balaam’s questions, asked some of her own, and carried on a rational conversation. While it is certainly possible that God granted human powers to the donkey, it’s more likely that He opened her mouth and spoke through her. The angel that barred his way is identified as the angel of the Lord, likely a manifestation of the presence of God Himself (Genesis 16:9-16; Exodus 3:1-6). After the donkey “spoke” to Balaam, and Balaam’s eyes were opened, the angel proceeded to ask the identical questions that came from the mouth of the donkey, further evidence that God, not the donkey, was actually speaking both times. This is reiterated by Peter, who identifies the donkey as “a beast without speech” and who “spoke with a man’s voice” (2 Peter 2:16). Whatever the method, the donkey was able to speak by a miraculous working of God’s power. Why was Balaam not shocked into silence by the donkey speaking to him? Surely, it must have come as a surprise to him, and under normal circumstances, the obvious reaction would be for him to at least ask how she came to be speaking. The Bible doesn’t tell us why he didn’t find it odd to be addressed by a donkey, but we do know something about his state of mind. First, he was in rebellion against the Lord, going to Balak for his own purposes and not those of the Lord. Second, the donkey’s refusal to continue down the path enraged him so that he beat her out of anger because she had mocked him and made a fool of him. Anger has a way of curtailing rational thought, and perhaps he was so intent on exerting his dominance over the animal that he lost the ability to think clearly. It wasn’t until the angel opened Balaam’s eyes to see reality that he relented in his anger against the donkey, listened to the angel, and repented. Verse 38 tells us that Balaam went to Balak and told the king, “I must speak only what God puts in my mouth," which just goes to show that God can use anyone, even a donkey and a rebellious prophet, to do His will and speak His truth.GotQuestions.org Numbers 22:29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." BGT Numbers 22:29 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῇ ὄνῳ ὅτι ἐμπέπαιχάς μοι καὶ εἰ εἶχον μάχαιραν ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ἤδη ἂν ἐξεκέντησά σε NET Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "You have made me look stupid; I wish there were a sword in my hand, for I would kill you right now." NLT Numbers 22:29 "You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!" ESV Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you." NIV Numbers 22:29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." KJV Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. YLT Numbers 22:29 and Balaam saith to the ass, 'Because thou hast rolled thyself against me; oh that there were a sword in my hand, for now I had slain thee;' LXE Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said to the ass, Because thou hast mocked me; and if I had had a sword in my hand, I would now have killed thee. ASV Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee. CSB Numbers 22:29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You made me look like a fool. If I had a sword in my hand, I'd kill you now!" NKJ Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" NRS Numbers 22:29 Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!" NAB Numbers 22:29 "You have acted so willfully against me," said Balaam to the ass, "that if I but had a sword at hand, I would kill you here and now." NJB Numbers 22:29 Balaam answered the donkey, 'Because you have been making a fool of me! If I had been carrying a sword, I should have killed you by now.' GWN Numbers 22:29 Balaam answered, "You've made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I'd kill you right now." for now would: Pr 12:10,16 Ec 9:3 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and CommentariesB BALAAM'S RIDICULOUS RESPONSE TO A TALKING DONKEY Then - One would have expected Balaam to say "How can you speak?" But Balaam was so blinded by his lust for wealth that he wasn't even able to see that this was clearly a supernatural act of YAWHEH! When you are deceived, by definition you don't even know it! Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now - Aren't we all grateful to God that Balaam did not have a sword! Bell - Balaam is calling for a sword, w/o knowing that he was about to see one pointed at him. Milgrom quips that "The irony rests in the fact that the sword Balaam seeks is close at hand with the angel, whom he, the seer, cannot see." (Ibid) Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." BGT Numbers 22:30 καὶ λέγει ἡ ὄνος τῷ Βαλααμ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἡ ὄνος σου ἐφ᾽ ἧς ἐπέβαινες ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας μὴ ὑπεροράσει ὑπεριδοῦσα ἐποίησά σοι οὕτως ὁ δὲ εἶπεν οὐχί NET Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am not I your donkey that you have ridden ever since I was yours until this day? Have I ever attempted to treat you this way?" And he said, "No." NLT Numbers 22:30 "But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," Balaam admitted. ESV Numbers 22:30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No." NIV Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. KJV Numbers 22:30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. YLT Numbers 22:30 and the ass saith unto Balaam, 'Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden since I was thine unto this day? have I at all been accustomed to do to thee thus?' and he saith, 'No.' LXE Numbers 22:30 And the ass says to Balaam, Am not I thine ass on which thou hast ridden since thy youth till this day? did I ever do thus to thee, utterly disregarding thee? and he said, No. ASV Numbers 22:30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. CSB Numbers 22:30 But the donkey said, "Am I not the donkey you've ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?" "No," he replied. NKJ Numbers 22:30 So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No." NRS Numbers 22:30 But the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?" And he said, "No." NAB Numbers 22:30 But the ass said to Balaam, "Am I not your own beast, and have you not always ridden upon me until now? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way before?" "No," replied Balaam. NJB Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, 'Am I not your donkey, and have I not been your mount all your life? Have I ever behaved like this with you before?' 'No,' he replied. GWN Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "I'm your own donkey. You've always ridden me. Have I ever done this to you before?" "No," he answered. the ass said: 2Pe 2:16 upon which thou hast ridden: Heb. who hast ridden upon me, ever since I was thine. or, ever since thou wast, unto, etc. 1Co 1:27,28 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE DONKEY REASONS WITH BALAAM The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." - Balaam's acknowledgement that his own lifetime donkey had never acted this way should have been a clue that he was traveling in the wrong direction, away from the will of God which is good, acceptable and perfect (Ro 12:2b+). Milgrom - The burlesque continues. Balaam’s impetuous rage is answered by the measured and justifiable argument of the ass: “Here was this ass, the most stupid of all beasts, and there was the wisest of all wise men, yet as soon as she opened her mouth he could not stand his ground against her.” Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. BGT Numbers 22:31 ἀπεκάλυψεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς Βαλααμ καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄγγελον κυρίου ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ κύψας προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; so he bowed his head and threw himself down with his face to the ground. NLT Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. ESV Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. NIV Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. KJV Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. YLT Numbers 22:31 And Jehovah uncovereth the eyes of Balaam, and he seeth the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, and his drawn sword in his hand, and he boweth and doth obeisance, to his face; LXE Numbers 22:31 And God opened the eyes of Balaam, and he sees the angel of the Lord withstanding him in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, and he stooped down and worshipped on his face. ASV Numbers 22:31 Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. CSB Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the path with a drawn sword in His hand. Balaam knelt and bowed with his face to the ground. NKJ Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. NRS Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed down, falling on his face. NAB Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD removed the veil from Balaam's eyes, so that he too saw the angel of the LORD standing on the road with sword drawn; and he fell on his knees and bowed to the ground. NJB Numbers 22:31 Yahweh then opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head and threw himself on his face. GWN Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD let Balaam see the Messenger of the LORD who was standing in the road with his sword drawn. So Balaam knelt, bowing with his face touching the ground. opened: Nu 24:4 Nu 24:16 Ge 21:19 2Ki 6:17-20 1Ch 21:16 Lu 24:16,31 Ac 26:18 bowed down: Ex 34:8 Ps 9:20 Joh 18:6 fell flat on his face: or, bowed himself Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OPENING DONKEY'S MOUTH THEN OPENING EYES OF ONE ACTING LIKE A DONKEY Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand and he bowed all the way to the ground - Balaam's bowing was appropriate. It is fascinating that God is protecting a diviner, a false prophet, but as we see He has purpose to use him as an instrument to bless His people Israel. God's ways are so much higher than our ways! Milgrom - The wording is deliberate, a sardonic contradiction of Balaam’s claim that his “eyes are opened” to God’s revelation (Nu 24:4, 16+ = "having his eyes uncovered"). Unstoppable The Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way. —Numbers 22:31 Today's Scripture: Numbers 22:10-34 Under it. Over it. Around it. Through it. Nothing will stop me from doing it.” I often hear people express this kind of attitude when they get an idea or see an opportunity that seems good or profitable. They devote all of their resources to getting it done. As evidence that this way of thinking may be flawed, I call as my witness a donkey—a donkey belonging to a man named Balaam. Balaam was offered a profitable assignment from a neighboring king, and he inquired of God for permission to accept it (Num. 22). When God said no, the king’s representatives made a better offer. Thinking God might change His mind, Balaam asked again. God granted permission for Balaam to go with them but with strict conditions. God knew Balaam’s heart and was not pleased with him, so He placed His Angel in the way. Balaam couldn’t see the Angel but his donkey could. When the donkey refused to continue, Balaam became angry with the animal for blocking his progress. Let Your wisdom guide me ever, For I dare not trust my own; Lead me, Lord, in tender mercy, Leave me not to walk alone. —Reed God is always protecting us— even when we don’t realize we need it. Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. BGT Numbers 22:32 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τί ἐπάταξας τὴν ὄνον σου τοῦτο τρίτον καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξῆλθον εἰς διαβολήν σου ὅτι οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου ἐναντίον μου NET Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing is perverse before me. NLT Numbers 22:32 "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the LORD demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. ESV Numbers 22:32 And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. NIV Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. KJV Numbers 22:32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: YLT Numbers 22:32 and the messenger of Jehovah saith unto him, 'Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? lo, I -- I have come out for an adversary, for thy way hath been perverse before me, LXE Numbers 22:32 And the angel of God said to him, Why hast thou smitten thine ass this third time? and, behold, I came out to withstand thee, for thy way was not seemly before me; and when the ass saw me, she turned away from me this third time. ASV Numbers 22:32 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me: CSB Numbers 22:32 The Angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you, because what you are doing is evil in My sight. NKJ Numbers 22:32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. NRS Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. NAB Numbers 22:32 But the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you beaten your ass these three times? It is I who have come armed to hinder you because this rash journey of yours is directly opposed to me. NJB Numbers 22:32 And the angel of Yahweh said to him, 'Why did you strike your donkey three times like that? I myself had come to bar your way; while I am here your road is blocked. GWN Numbers 22:32 The Messenger of the LORD asked him, "Why have you hit your donkey three times like this? I've come here to stop you because the trip you're taking is evil. Wherefore: Nu 22:28 De 25:4 Ps 36:6 145:9 147:9 Jon 4:11 withstand thee: Heb. be an adversary unto thee, Nu 22:22 thy way: De 23:4 Pr 28:6 Mic 6:5 Ac 13:10 2Pe 2:14,15 before me: Nu 22:20,22,35 Ex 3:2-6 Pr 14:2 28:18 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAAM'S DIVINE ADVERSARY The Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary (Heb - satan), because your way was contrary to me. - NLT = the angel of the LORD demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me." Note the words stubbornly resisting me. Who is Balaam resisting? Clearly Yahweh. This would support that the Angel is Yahweh, not just a created angel. Contrary (yarat - only here and Job 16:11) means perverse, reckless, impetuous all of which sum up Balaam's character. Numbers 22:33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live." BGT Numbers 22:33 καὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ τρίτον τοῦτο καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐξέκλινεν νῦν οὖν σὲ μὲν ἀπέκτεινα ἐκείνην δὲ περιεποιησάμην NET Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me and turned from me these three times. If she had not turned from me, I would have killed you but saved her alive." NLT Numbers 22:33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey." ESV Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live." NIV Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her." KJV Numbers 22:33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. YLT Numbers 22:33 and the ass seeth me, and turneth aside at my presence these three times; unless she had turned aside from my presence, surely now also, thee I had slain, and her kept alive.' LXE Numbers 22:33 And if she had not turned out of the way, surely now, I should have slain thee, and should have saved her alive. ASV Numbers 22:33 and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive. CSB Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If she had not turned away from Me, I would have killed you by now and let her live." NKJ Numbers 22:33 "The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live." NRS Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me, and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let it live." NAB Numbers 22:33 When the ass saw me, she turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I would have killed you; her I would have spared." NJB Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me and turned aside because of me three times. You are lucky she did turn aside, or I should have killed you by now, though I would have spared her.' GWN Numbers 22:33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you by now but spared the donkey." surely: Nu 14:37 16:33-35 1Ki 13:24-28 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WHEN A DONKEY SAVES A MAN But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live - We usually hear the saying that dogs are man's best friend, but in Balaam's case a donkey was his best friend! God was angry enough to kill Balaam, reminding us once again of Paul's words that the wages of sin are death (Ro 6:23+). Writing to Timothy, Paul instructed him that "those who want to get rich (LIKE BALAAM) fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction (THIS COULD EASILY BE BALAAM'S "LIFE VERSE!"). For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Ti 6:9-10+). Norman Geisler - NUMBERS 22:33—Why did the angel of the Lord try to kill Balaam, since God had given him permission to go to the plains of Moab? PROBLEM: In Numbers 22:20 God had told Balaam to go with the men to the plains of Moab. However, verse 22 says, “Then God’s anger aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him.” Also, in verse 33 the angel of the Lord says, “If she [the donkey] had not turned aside from Me, I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.” Why did the angel of the Lord try to kill Balaam when God had already given him permission to go with the men from Moab? SOLUTION: The account of Balaam’s activities demonstrates that Balaam was torn between obeying the command of God, and the greed in his heart for the riches that Balak had promised. Although God had flatly told Balaam not to go with the men to Balak (Num. 22:12), Balak’s offer of riches (v. 17) tempted Balaam, and he went to God a second time to seek permission to go to Balak. It was because of Balaam’s evil heart of greed that the Lord sent His angel to stand in the way as Balaam’s adversary. The intent was not to kill Balaam, evidenced by the fact that the angel of the Lord allowed Balaam’s donkey to see him and, by turning aside, to prevent Balaam’s death. Rather, the angel’s purpose was to present a forceful reminder that Balaam was to speak only what the Lord would tell him. Balaam’s greed is clearly demonstrated in the fact that, although he would not curse Israel because the Lord would only allow him to bless His people, Balaam counseled Balak to corrupt Israel by allowing his women to marry the men of Israel and to lead them into idolatry (2 Peter 2:15; Rev. 2:14). Balaam’s greed had devised a way to help Israel’s enemies while not directly disobeying the Lord’s command to speak only the words that He would give to him (Num. 31:16). (When Critics Ask) Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." BGT Numbers 22:34 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου ἡμάρτηκα οὐ γὰρ ἠπιστάμην ὅτι σύ μοι ἀνθέστηκας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἰς συνάντησιν καὶ νῦν εἰ μή σοι ἀρέσκει ἀποστραφήσομαι NET Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is evil in your sight, I will go back home." NLT Numbers 22:34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I didn't realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going." ESV Numbers 22:34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back." NIV Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back." KJV Numbers 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. YLT Numbers 22:34 And Balaam saith unto the messenger of Jehovah, 'I have sinned, for I did not know that thou art standing to meet me in the way; and now, if evil in thine eyes -- I turn back by myself.' LXE Numbers 22:34 And Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know that thou wert standing opposite in the way to meet me; and now if it shall not be pleasing to thee for me to go on, I will return. ASV Numbers 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. CSB Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that You were standing in the path to confront me. And now, if it is evil in Your sight, I will go back." NKJ Numbers 22:34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back." NRS Numbers 22:34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now therefore, if it is displeasing to you, I will return home." NAB Numbers 22:34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. Yet I did not know that you stood against me to oppose my journey. Since it has displeased you, I will go back home." NJB Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, 'I have sinned. I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. But if what I am doing displeases you, I will go home again.' GWN Numbers 22:34 Balaam said to the Messenger of the LORD, "I've sinned. I didn't know you were standing there in the road to stop me. If you still think this trip is evil, I'll go back." I Have sinned: Ex 9:27 10:16,17 1Sa 15:24,30 24:17 26:21 2Sa 12:13 Job 34:31,32 Ps 78:34 Mt 27:4,5 if it displease thee: Heb. be evil in thine eyes, Nu 22:12 11:1 1Ch 21:7 Pr 24:18 *margins I will get: Job 34:31,32 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." - He confesses sin and is even willing to turn back. "Balaam therefore acknowledged his sin in opposing the LORD and not seeing divine direction in the donkey’s behavior." (Merrill) THOUGHT - There is a principle here. Do the will of God and you will know the God of the will. Balaam was deficient on both counts. Since he was clearly doing God's will (in his heart he was going with greed not with a desire to bless Israel) his eyes were blinded to God's hand at work. As Merrill says he was not able to see the "divine direction in the donkey’s behavior." Jesus declared “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself." (Jn 7:17). Are you willing to do His will? Then you will be able to discern His will in other situations. Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak. BGT Numbers 22:35 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς Βαλααμ συμπορεύθητι μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων πλὴν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν εἴπω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Βαλακ NET Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you may only speak the word that I will speak to you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. NLT Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD told Balaam, "Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say." So Balaam went on with Balak's officials. ESV Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak. NIV Numbers 22:35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. KJV Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. YLT Numbers 22:35 And the messenger of Jehovah saith unto Balaam, 'Go with the men; and only the word which I speak unto thee -- it thou dost speak;' and Balaam goeth with the princes of Balak. LXE Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, Go with the men: nevertheless the word which I shall speak to thee, that thou shalt take heed to speak. And Balaam went with the princes of Balac. ASV Numbers 22:35 And the angel of Jehovah said unto Balaam, Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. CSB Numbers 22:35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but you are to say only what I tell you." So Balaam went with Balak's officials. NKJ Numbers 22:35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. NRS Numbers 22:35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men; but speak only what I tell you to speak." So Balaam went on with the officials of Balak. NAB Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men; but you may say only what I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak. NJB Numbers 22:35 The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, 'Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.' So Balaam went on with the chiefs sent by Balak. GWN Numbers 22:35 The Messenger of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but say only what I tell you." So Balaam went with Balak's princes. Go: Nu 22:20 Ps 81:12 Isa 37:26-29 2Th 2:9-12 I shall speak: Nu 22:20,21 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men (BALACK'S MEN), but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." - The phrase speak only the word which I tell you indicates this is not just a created angel but the Creator Himself. Compare Nu 22:20 "God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.” WENHAM - The repeated statements that Balaam will declare only the word that God puts in his mouth may be intended to emphasize the inspiration of his oracles rather than the holiness of his character. (ED: WHAT DIFFERENCE IS THERE BETWEEN THE DONKEY AND BALAAM?) (TOTC-Nu) So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak - Where were the leaders while Balaam was being blocked, beating his donkey and then speaking with the Angel of the LORD? The text does not tell us but presumably since Balaam's eyes had to be spiritually opened to visualize what was really happening, it is likely that the eyes of the leaders of Balak were spiritually blinded (assuming they were present).. Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border. UBS When Balak heard that Balaam was on the way to him, he went out to meet him at the border town of Moab on the Arnon River, which was at the farthest [northern] border of his land. BGT Numbers 22:36 καὶ ἀκούσας Βαλακ ὅτι ἥκει Βαλααμ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ εἰς πόλιν Μωαβ ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τῶν ὁρίων Αρνων ὅ ἐστιν ἐκ μέρους τῶν ὁρίων NET Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at a city of Moab which was on the border of the Arnon at the boundary of his territory. NLT Numbers 22:36 When King Balak heard that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him at a Moabite town on the Arnon River at the farthest border of his land. ESV Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. NIV Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. KJV Numbers 22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. YLT Numbers 22:36 And Balak heareth that Balaam hath come, and goeth out to meet him, unto a city of Moab, which is on the border of Arnon, which is in the extremity of the border; LXE Numbers 22:36 And when Balac heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him, to a city of Moab, which is on the borders of Arnon, which is on the extreme part of the borders. ASV Numbers 22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. CSB Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border at the edge of his territory. NKJ Numbers 22:36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. NRS Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at Ir-moab, on the boundary formed by the Arnon, at the farthest point of the boundary. NAB Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the boundary city Ir-Moab on the Arnon at the end of the Moabite territory. NJB Numbers 22:36 Balak learned that Balaam was coming and went out to meet him, in the direction of Ar in Moab, at the Arnon frontier on the country's furthest boundary. GWN Numbers 22:36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at Ir Moab, in the region of the Arnon Valley, right on the border of Moab. went: Ge 14:17 18:2 46:29 Ex 18:7 1Sa 13:10 Ac 28:15 the border: Nu 21:13,14 De 2:24 3:8 Jud 11:18 Isa 16:2 Jer 48:20 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAK EAGER TO MEET BALAAM When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border (ESV = on the border formed by the Arnon), at the extreme end of the border (NET - at the boundary of his territory)- Arnon was Moab’s extreme northern border at the time of the Israelite incursion (cf Nu 21:26+) It is clear that Balak was very eager -- he went to Balaam rather than waiting for Balaam to come to him. "Normally, an honorable person would wait for his guest to arrive to receive him, but Balak was so anxious to curse Israel that he could not wait to get started, so he met Balaam at the northern boundary of his country." (UBS Handbook) Milgrom writes that "Balak paid Balaam the maximum respect by meeting him at the point at which Balaam crossed into Moabite territory (see Gen. 29:13; 46:29; Exod. 18:7)." Numbers 22:37 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?" BGT Numbers 22:37 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ οὐχὶ ἀπέστειλα πρὸς σὲ καλέσαι σε διὰ τί οὐκ ἤρχου πρός με ὄντως οὐ δυνήσομαι τιμῆσαί σε NET Numbers 22:37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send again and again to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" NLT Numbers 22:37 "Didn't I send you an urgent invitation? Why didn't you come right away?" Balak asked Balaam. "Didn't you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?" ESV Numbers 22:37 And Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" NIV Numbers 22:37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?" KJV Numbers 22:37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? YLT Numbers 22:37 and Balak saith unto Balaam, 'Did I not diligently sent unto thee to call for thee? why didst thou not come unto me? am I not truly able to honour thee?' LXE Numbers 22:37 And Balac said to Balaam, Did I not send to thee to call thee? why hast thou not come to me? shall I not indeed be able to honour thee? ASV Numbers 22:37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor? CSB Numbers 22:37 Balak asked Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?" NKJ Numbers 22:37 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" NRS Numbers 22:37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" NAB Numbers 22:37 And he said to Balaam, "I sent an urgent summons to you! Why did you not come to me? Did you think I could not reward you?" NJB Numbers 22:37 Balak said to Balaam, 'Did I not send messengers to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Did you think, perhaps, I could confer no honours on you?' GWN Numbers 22:37 Balak said to Balaam, "Why didn't you come when I summoned you? You knew I'd be able to reward you." I am not able, Nu 22:16,17 24:11 Ps 75:6 Mt 4:8,9 Lu 4:6 Joh 5:44 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BALAK UPBRAIDS BALAAM Upbraid means to reprove sharply. He immediately asked three questions. Balak makes no formal greeting but wants to get on with business! Then Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not urgently (shalakh) send (shalakh) to you to call you? - Rhetorical question. In Hebrew the verb for send is repeated for emphasis and so the NET renders it "Did I not send again and again to you to summon you?" "The emphatic construction is made of the infinitive absolute and the perfect tense from the verb שָׁלַח (shalakh, “to send”). The idea must be more intense than something like, “Did I not certainly send.” Balak is showing frustration with Balaam for refusing him." (NN) Why did you not come to me? - “Why then did you not come to me?” “Why did you not come before now?” (NBV) This question is asking for an answer from Balaam. Recall that Balaam did not specifically tell the envoy why the LORD refused. In other words he left out the command from God "You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." (Nu 22:12+). If he had said that, Balak may have looked for another diviner. It is as if Balaam had kept the door open for going to Balak. In the back of his mind were the diviner fees, because he loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Pe 2:15+). Am I really unable to honor you?" - An emphatic rhetorical question. NLT = "Didn't you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?" GNT = “Did you really think I wasn’t able to reward you enough?” Did Balaam not really believe a king would be able to pay him? "Balak again refers to his ability to “honor” the seer. This certainly meant payment for his service, usually gold ornaments, rings and jewelry, as well as some animals." (NN) "The king seems to think that Balaam is motivated by greed and does not sufficiently respect his capacity as king. " (UBS) Balak's rhetorical question indicates he interprets Balaam's refusal was because of the amount of the reward for divination. Numbers 22:38 So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak." BGT Numbers 22:38 καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ ἰδοὺ ἥκω πρὸς σέ νῦν δυνατὸς ἔσομαι λαλῆσαί τι τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν βάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου τοῦτο λαλήσω NET Numbers 22:38 Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you. Now, am I able to speak just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth." NLT Numbers 22:38 Balaam replied, "Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth." ESV Numbers 22:38 Balaam said to Balak, "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak." NIV Numbers 22:38 "Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But can I say just anything? I must speak only what God puts in my mouth." KJV Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. YLT Numbers 22:38 And Balaam saith unto Balak, 'Lo, I have come unto thee; now -- am I at all able to speak anything? the word which God setteth in my mouth -- it I do speak.' LXE Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said to Balac, Behold, I am now come to thee: shall I be able to say anything? the word which God shall put into my mouth, that I shall speak. ASV Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to speak anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. CSB Numbers 22:38 Balaam said to him, "Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth." NKJ Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak." NRS Numbers 22:38 Balaam said to Balak, "I have come to you now, but do I have power to say just anything? The word God puts in my mouth, that is what I must say." NAB Numbers 22:38 Balaam answered him, "Well, I have come to you after all. But what power have I to say anything? I can speak only what God puts in my mouth." NJB Numbers 22:38 Balaam said to Balak, 'I have come to you after all. I suppose you know I cannot say anything on my own? The words God puts into my mouth are what I shall say.' GWN Numbers 22:38 Balaam replied, "Well, I've come to you now. But I can't say whatever I want to. I can only say what God tells me to say." have I: Nu 22:18 Ps 33:10 76:10 Pr 19:21 Isa 44:25 46:10 47:12 the word: Nu 23:16,26 Nu 24:13 1Ki 22:14 2Ch 18:13 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Balaam said to Balak, "Behold (hinneh - to get Balak's attention on following declaration), I have come now to you! - Balaam dismisses the rebuke and questioning of Balak. Am I able to speak anything at all? - Literally = “Now to be able am I able to speak anything?” (Hebrew verb for able is yakol repeated for emphasis) Balaam is saying something like, "Can I really say anything?" (NN) This is rhetorical for Balaam knows he cannot say anything. Notice that he specifically fails to tell Balak Yahweh prohibited him from cursing Israel! "The whole question is rhetorical – he is saying that he will not be able to say anything God does not allow him to say." (NN) The implied answer to this rhetorical question is "Not at all." The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak." - Note the irony of Balaam's statement that God puts a word in the prophet's mouth! Compare to the word in the donkey's mouth. Note that here Balaam uses God or Elohim which Milgrom says is an "exception to the rule that Balaam refers to God only by the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)." Related Passages: Note the repeated emphasis - this is a key phrase in this story - It would be a good "tagline" for pastors as they ascend to their pulpits each week! Numbers 22:20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.” Numbers 22:35 But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak. Numbers 23:16; 26 Then the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” (23:26) But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘Whatever the LORD speaks, that I must do’?” Numbers 24:13 ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’? Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. BGT Numbers 22:39 καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ Βαλακ καὶ ἦλθον εἰς πόλεις ἐπαύλεων NET Numbers 22:39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. NLT Numbers 22:39 Then Balaam accompanied Balak to Kiriath-huzoth, ESV Numbers 22:39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. NIV Numbers 22:39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. KJV Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth. YLT Numbers 22:39 And Balaam goeth with Balak, and they come to Kirjath-Huzoth, LXE Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balac, and they came to the cities of streets. ASV Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriath-huzoth. CSB Numbers 22:39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. NKJ Numbers 22:39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. NRS Numbers 22:39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. NAB Numbers 22:39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. NJB Numbers 22:39 Balaam set out with Balak. They came to Kiriath-Huzoth. GWN Numbers 22:39 Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. Kirjathhuzoth: or, a city of streets, Probably Rabbath-Moab, now called Rabba, the capital of the Moabites; and being the royal city, distinguished by its streets. Nu 22:39 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CULTIC SITE FIRST DIVINATION RITUAL And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth - Unidentified; the site is probably close to Bamoth-baal ("the heights of Baal") (Nu 22:41).Kiriath-huzoth (Qiryath Chutsoth) where huzoth means streets thus the name "'city of streets," but site unknown. Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. BGT Numbers 22:40 καὶ ἔθυσεν Βαλακ πρόβατα καὶ μόσχους καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τῷ Βαλααμ καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσι τοῖς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 22:40 And Balak sacrificed bulls and sheep, and sent some to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him. NLT Numbers 22:40 where the king sacrificed cattle and sheep. He sent portions of the meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him. ESV Numbers 22:40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him. NIV Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the princes who were with him. KJV Numbers 22:40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. YLT Numbers 22:40 and Balak sacrificeth oxen and sheep, and sendeth to Balaam, and to the princes who are with him; LXE Numbers 22:40 And Balac offered sheep and calves, and sent to Balaam and to his princes who were with him. ASV Numbers 22:40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. CSB Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent for Balaam and the officials who were with him. NKJ Numbers 22:40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him. NRS Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent them to Balaam and to the officials who were with him. NAB Numbers 22:40 Here Balak slaughtered oxen and sheep, and sent portions to Balaam and to the princes who were with him. NJB Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and offered portions to Balaam and the chiefs who were with him. GWN Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed cattle, sheep, and goats, and sent some of the meat to Balaam and the princes who were with him. Nu 23:2,14,30 Ge 31:54 Pr 1:16 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Daniel 1:8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Diagram of Sheep's Liver Used in Divination DIVINATION COMMENCES Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him - Why these sacrifices? Ancient divination often involved a bizarre examination of animal entrails to discern signs, a divination practice known as hepatoscopy or haruspex. Believer's Study Bible suggests that "What Balak "sent" Balaam the diviner was probably the entrails (especially livers) of the animals for him to read." While this is possible, it is not an obvious interpretation. Ronald Allen - “The pieces given to Balaam presumably would have included the livers; for as a baru diviner, Balaam was a specialist in liver divination. Numbers 24:1 reports that Balaam subsequently gave up on his acts of sorcery as the power of the word of the Lord came on him. But at the beginning he starts his procedures as he always has. Yet never did he speak as he was about to speak.” (EBC) Milgrom has a different interpretation - Balak sacrificed a zevaḥ shelamim, a well-being offering, the meat of which is eaten by the worshiper and his guests, as is clear from Exodus 18:12 and 1 Samuel 9:23–24. Numbers 22:41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there a portion of the people. BGT Numbers 22:41 καὶ ἐγενήθη πρωὶ καὶ παραλαβὼν Βαλακ τὸν Βαλααμ ἀνεβίβασεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν στήλην τοῦ Βααλ καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ ἐκεῖθεν μέρος τι τοῦ λαοῦ NET Numbers 22:41 Then on the next morning Balak took Balaam, and brought him up to Bamoth Baal. From there he saw the extent of the nation. NLT Numbers 22:41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see some of the people of Israel spread out below him. ESV Numbers 22:41 And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people. NIV Numbers 22:41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he saw part of the people. KJV Numbers 22:41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. YLT Numbers 22:41 and it cometh to pass in the morning, that Balak taketh Balaam, and causeth him to go up the high places of Baal, and he seeth from thence the extremity of the people. LXE Numbers 22:41 And it was morning; and Balac took Balaam, and brought him up to the pillar of Baal, and shewed him thence a part of the people. ASV Numbers 22:41 And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from thence the utmost part of the people. CSB Numbers 22:41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him to Bamoth-baal. From there he saw the outskirts of the people's camp. NKJ Numbers 22:41 So it was the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people. NRS Numbers 22:41 On the next day Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal; and from there he could see part of the people of Israel. NAB Numbers 22:41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up on Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw some of the clans. NJB Numbers 22:41 Next morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-Baal, from where he could see the edge of the camp. GWN Numbers 22:41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the Israelites' camp. high places: {Bamoth baal,} "the high places of Baal," probably the same as Bamoth mentioned in Nu 21.19, 20; evidently not far from Baal-meon, in the mountains of Abarim: for the Israelites were now encamped in the plains of Moab, which these mountains overlook. Baal, which signifies a lord or governor, was a name common to many idols; and probably here was the same as Chemosh, the god of Moab. Nu 25:2,3 Dt 12:2 2 Chr 11:15 Jer 48:35 utmost: Nu 23:13 Numbers 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Looking at the Most High God from a high place! Clearly this is not a good chapter division as this verse goes with Numbers 24:1ff Then it came about in the morning (only indicator of time for all Balaam's discourses/oracles) that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal - The pagans had one thing correct, that there was a divine presence in the heavens, but their "divinity" was of course a counterfeit. Satan always seeks to counterfeit God and His ways. Balak made the same error the builders of the Tower of Babel made (Ge 11:4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven....”), thinking that the higher they got, the closer they were to their "god." This is the first specific allusion to Baal worship in the Scripture and sadly this deity would prove enticing and corrupting to the pure worship of Yahweh in Israel. NN on the high place of Baal - Bamoth Baal. Baal (proper noun)(01168) ba'al refers to the pagan god who was called by the name "Baal". Elijah contended with and exterminated the prophets of Baal (1 Ki 18:18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 40). One of the more incredible mentions of Baal is Jehu's eradication of them from the northern kingdom (see 2 Ki 10:18-28). Before God would use Gideon to deliver His people from the Moabites, He first had him tear down his father's backyard altar to Baal (Jdg 6:25, 28, 30-31-note). As a result Gideon was named Jerrubball ("Let Baal contend against him" - Jdg 6:32-note). Under Gideon Israel was set free from Moabite oppression, but apparently they people were not set free from the "seed" of Baal worship in their hearts for "Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again played the harlot (SPIRITUAL ADULTERY!) with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god" (Jdg 8:33-note)! Wow! Our hearts are more deceitful than all else and are desperately sick (Jer 17:9)! In 1 Sa 7:4 we see that "Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone" but they must have backslide because we see their cry in 1 Sam 12:10! Beware of idols. Related Resources: Gotquestions.org - Who is Baal? American Tract Society • Baal Bridgeway Bible Dictionary • Baal Baker Evangelical Dictionary • Baal CARM Theological Dictionary • Baal Easton's Bible Dictionary • Baal Fausset Bible Dictionary Baal (1) Baal (2) Holman Bible Dictionary • Baal Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible • Baal (1) • Baal Hastings' Dictionary of the NT • Baal Watson's Theological Dictionary • Baal UBS Handbook quips the use of a pagan site "highlights the ironic incongruity of the whole situation, as in the original text. From a pagan worship site, a foreign prophet was being commissioned by a fearful king to curse the people of the LORD." This is quite a scene - From a pagan worship site, a foreign prophet Balaam was being commissioned by a fearful king to curse the people of the LORD. And from there he saw the nearest of the people: The pronoun he refers to Balaam, which GNT makes Bush - Brought him up to the high places of Baal. Heb. bâmoth Baal, i.e., the consecrated high places of Baal. Gr. “The pillars (or monuments) of Baal.” Chald. “The high places of his Fear,” i. e., of the god of his fear. Targ. Jon. “The fear of Peor,” i.e., the object of the idolatrous fear. Baal, having the import of Lord, Master, or Patron, was the name given by many nations in that part of Asia to the idols worshipped on high places, hills, or mountains. Wherever employed it signified the sun, and with the Moabites was but another name for Chemosh, their presiding deity. Balak made choice of an elevated position, both because such places were chiefly used for the purpose of sacrificing to the gods, and from such a place Balaam could have a more distinct view of the camp of the Israelites, which was thought to be a matter of peculiar importance, as giving additional efficacy to the curse uttered. and he saw from there a portion of the people - This was thought that the curse would be more effective if you could see the ones being cursed.