Review & Intro: As we continue the account of Balaam and Balak, we have the king of Moab asking the well-known sorcerer, Balaam, to come and curse the people of Israel, for they are numerous and he fears they will take his land from him. Balaam was told by God not to go for Israel is blessed. Yet, Balaam was sent more money and temptation to try to get God to change His mind. God allowed him to go, but he will make sure that he only says what God wants to say through him. In this chapter, we see the sovereignty of God in showing Israel that no pagan king and no pagan prophet could lay a finger on the people of God apart from the will of God. There are times when God judges His people that He will use a pagan king, but it is in His timing and under His watchful care. His plans for His people cannot be thwarted. Amen. 
7 altars are set up for sacrifices on them. This was a pagan ritual; as we know the Lord's sacrifices were made by the priests and in the tent of meeting.
Numbers Chapter 23 - Observation Questions
1. What did Balaam ask Balak to do for him? vs. 1
2. What did Balak & Balaam offer up on each of these altars? vs. 2
3. Balaam had Balak to stand beside his burnt offering while he went to a bare hill to see if the Lord would come to meet with him to give him words to say. (vs.3) ... God did meet with him, and he told God about the 7 altars with the bull and ram on each altar. (vs.4) ... The Lord did put a word in Balaam's mouth, so Balaam returned to Balak where he stood beside his burnt offeirng with the leaders of Moab. (vs.5,6) ... The discourse follows in verses 7 - 10.
4. Balaam's first oracle (vs.7-10) ... Balak has brought Balaam from Aram, instructing him to curse Israel (vs. 7).... It is impossible for Balaam to grant his request because, as a prophet, he can only echo what God has declared. God has not denounced Israel, so neither can Balaam denounce them (vs.8) .... This is a nation that stands apart from all other nations (vs.9), ... and they will become even greater in number and strength (vs.10a).... Balaam cannot curse them; he even indicates that he wishes he could enter into their blessings, which include a hope that extends beyond the grave (10b).
5. How did Balak respond to Balaam's first oracle? vs. 11
6. How did Balaam respond back to him? vs. 12
7. Balak suggested they try it from another place, so he took Balaam to the field of Zophim, to the top of Mt. Pisgah. (vs.13,14) ..... What did he build there and offer again? vs. 14
Note: Balaam left Balak beside his burnt offering (again) while he went to meet with the Lord. (vs.15) ... The Lord gave the 2nd oracle to Balaam to deliver to Balak. .. (vs.16)
8. Where was Balak standing and who was with him when Balaam returned to him? vs. 17
9. Balaam's second oracle (vs.18-21). ...Balak may be used to giving orders to men, and even to his “gods,” but the God of Israel is different. He is not a man. He does not lie, and He certainly does not break His promises. He does not take orders from men. If God has committed Himself to bless Israel, that is the way it will be (vs.19). Since God has commanded Balaam to bless Israel, he surely cannot reverse it (vs. 20). ... The Lord does not see "misfortune" in Jacob or "trouble" in Israel; the Lord is "with him" and the "shout of a king" is among them. (vs. 21) .... Balak should remember that God defended Israel against her enemies, so that they were invincible. There was no "omen" against Jacob or "divination" against Israel ..... There was no way that Balaam could reverse this to bring about Israel’s downfall. To oppose Israel is to oppose Israel’s God (verses 22-23). In verse 24, there is a future prophecy of how Israel's enemies will be defeated.
10. How did Balak respond to the 2nd oracle given? vs. 25
11. How did Balaam reply back to Balak? vs. 26
12. Balak wants to change locations one more time to find out if Balaam can get God to agree with him to curse Israel. (vs.27) Where did Balak take Balaam this time? vs. 28
13. Once again, what did Balaam have Balak do here? vs. 29-30
Application:
14. Balaam was a false prophet, as clearly seen from the passages in 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation. Yet, the Lord used him to speak forth His blessings upon Israel. Can a person speak for God when they themselves are not truly believers? Yes, they can even cast out demons and perform miracles according to what Jesus told His disciples. Comment on the following verse:
- Matthew 7:15-23 -
15. Did you receive comfort from the words Balaam spoke on behalf of God - that He is one to lie or change? His people are secure in His hands and His purposes cannot be thwarted. Commment on the following verses:
- Hebrews 13:8 -
- Malachi 3:6 -
- Job 42:2 -
- Daniel 4:35 -
- Hebrews 6:7 -
- Romans 8:28 -
16. In conclusion, Balak wants to try one more time at the peak of Peor. We will see this is another high place dedicated to the pagan god - Baal. Once again, God will bless through Balaam and not allow His people to be cursed. We are not under a curse because Jesus has taken our curse. Comment on the following verses:
- Galatians 3:13,14 -
17. Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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