Numbers 23: What Am I Paying You For?

With the seer Balaam having finally arrived, Balak, king of Moab, is ready to have him do what he was hired to do: Curse Israel!

Unfortunately for Balak, things do not go quite according to plan.

Balaam instructs Balak to prepare seven altars and sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams upon them.  Then Balaam goes off by himself to look over a section of the nation of Israel and see if the Lord has a word for him.  Boy, does He ever!

When Balaam returns, he shares an oracle with Balak concerning Israel.  But instead of cursing the nation, Balaam blesses them!  He heaps praises upon them for their numbers and expresses his desire to be like one of them (vs. 10).

Balak is pretty disgusted by this development.  He tries to argue with Balaam, but Balaam reminds him that the seer can only say what God puts into his mouth.

Balak decides to give it another try.  He takes Balaam to a second spot where he can see another part of the nation of Israel.  After sacrificing like before, Balaam again goes off by himself.  When he returns, the news for Balak isn't any better.

Balaam's second oracle again exults the God of Jacob.  Israel, Balaam reveals, has God their King with them in their midst.  God is their deliverer, and Israel is unstoppable and impervious to any curse.  He likens them to a strong, victorious lion.

Balak is perturbed, but decides that the third time must be the charm.  He takes Balaam to yet another spot and again offers seven bulls and rams.  What will happen now?  Will God change His mind?  Will Balaam be able to curse Israel?  To be continued...