1
Then the Israelites set out and camped in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, near Jericho.
2
Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3
So Moab was greatly afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
4
Then Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will surely devour everything around us, as an ox devours the green plants of the field.” Now at that time Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab.
5
This king sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor by the Euphrates River, in the land of his own people, to summon him, with this message: “Look, a people has come out of Egypt; indeed, they cover the face of the earth, and they are camping opposite me.
6
So now, come and curse this people for me, for they are stronger than I am; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know: whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”
7
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian set out, carrying the fee for divination in their hands; and when they came to Balaam, they delivered Balak’s message to him.
8
Then Balaam said to them, “Stay here tonight, and I will give you an answer according to whatever the LORD speaks to me.” So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9
Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10
And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying:
11
‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth; now come, put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’”
12
Then God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13
So Balaam rose in the morning and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your land, for the LORD will not permit me to go with you.”
14
So the leaders of Moab departed, and when they came to Balak, they said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15
Then Balak sent again leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the first.
16
When they came to Balaam, they said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: Do not let anything hinder you from coming to me,
17
for I will give you very great reward, and whatever you ask of me I will grant. Come now, and curse this people for me.”
18
But Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God.
19
So now, please stay here tonight also, that I may know what else the LORD will speak to me.”
20
God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall do.”
21
So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his female donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
22
But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the Angel of the LORD stood in the way as his adversary. Balaam was riding on his female donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23
When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way, with His sword drawn in His hand, the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. Then Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
24
Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side.
25
When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pressed herself against the wall, and Balaam’s foot was crushed against the wall. So he struck her again.
26
Then the Angel of the LORD went on and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn aside to the right or to the left.
27
When the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. Then Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
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?”
29
Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you now.”
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 done this to you?” And he said, “No.”
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; and he bowed down and fell on his face.
32
Then the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as your adversary, because this way is, in My sight, leading to destruction.
33
When the donkey saw Me, she turned aside from before Me these three times; if she had not turned aside from before Me, surely now I would have killed you and let her live.”
34
Then Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, because I did not know that You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in Your sight, I will go back.”
35
But the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36
When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him as far as the City of Moab, on the border by the Arnon River, at the edge of the border.
37
And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I truly unable to reward you?”
38
But Balaam said to Balak, “See, I have now come to you; but can I say anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”
39
Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40
Balak offered some oxen and sheep, and sent portions to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
41
The next day Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high place of Baal. From there he saw the farthest part of the people of Israel.
🐴🗣️👑 Summary of Numbers 22 – Balaam and the Speaking Donkey
Numbers 22 introduces a unique and well-known story: Balaam, a prophet called by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel. But God turned evil intent into blessing, and even used a donkey to speak!
📌 1. Balak’s Fear of Israel (verses 1–6)
- After Israel defeated Sihon and Og, Balak, king of Moab, was greatly afraid.
- He sent messengers to Pethor to call Balaam, a well-known prophet or diviner.
- His purpose:
“Curse this people, for they are stronger than I.”
🎯 Enemies often seek to destroy us not by direct attack, but through curses and spiritual deceit.
📌 2. The Lord Forbids Balaam to Go (verses 7–14)
- Balaam asked for the Lord’s guidance, and the Lord answered:
“Do not go with them. Do not curse that people, for they are blessed.”
- Balaam refused the invitation and delivered God’s message to Balak’s messengers.
📖 Balaam seemed obedient… yet the motive of his heart was beginning to show.
📌 3. Balak Sends Messengers Again with a Great Reward (verses 15–21)
- Balak sent more honorable messengers and offered a great reward.
- Balaam asked the Lord again (even though he had already been forbidden).
- The Lord said:
“Go with them, but do only what I tell you.”
🎯 Sometimes God allows us to walk according to the desire of our hearts — but we must be ready to face the consequences.
📌 4. The Lord Is Angry and Balaam’s Donkey Speaks (verses 22–35)
- The Lord was angry because Balaam went with them (though permitted), because the motive of his heart was wrong.
- On the journey, the angel of the Lord stood in Balaam’s way, but only his donkey could see him.
- The donkey stopped, turned aside, and even struck a wall, until Balaam beat it three times.
- The Lord opened the donkey’s mouth:
“Have I ever been accustomed to do this to you?”
- Balaam finally saw the angel of the Lord, who declared:
“Your way leads to destruction… speak only what I command.”
🎯 God can use anyone — even a donkey — to warn us and correct us.
📌 5. Balaam Meets Balak (verses 36–41)
- Balaam finally arrived and was welcomed by Balak.
- He affirmed:
“I am not able to say anything at all. What God puts in my mouth, that is what I will speak.”
📖 Main Lessons
- The Lord blesses His people, and human curses cannot change it.
- The motives of the heart are very important, even more than outward actions.
- The Lord can speak through unusual channels — even animals.
- The enemy’s fear of God’s plan leads them to seek false spiritual ways.
- A true prophet is one who speaks only God’s message, even when paid dearly to say otherwise.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
- Balaam is a picture of a false prophet who loves money, mentioned in 2 Peter 2:15–16 and Jude 1:11:
“They have followed the way of Balaam… who loved the wages of wrongdoing.”
- The speaking donkey becomes a symbol that God can use anyone, even those considered foolish, to convey the truth.
- We must be careful of spiritual compromise and not sell integrity for popularity or material gain.
