1
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.”
2
Balak did as Balaam had said, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
3
After this Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, while I go away; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever word he shows me, I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
4
Then God met Balaam, and Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars, and I have offered a bull and a ram on each altar.”
5
Then the LORD put a word into Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak and speak thus.”
6
When he returned, Balak was still standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the leaders of Moab.
7
Then Balaam spoke his oracle, saying:
“Balak, king of Moab, has brought me from Aram,
from the mountains of the east:
‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me,
and come, denounce Israel.’
8
How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?
9
For from the top of the rocks I see them,
from the hills I behold them.
See, a people dwelling apart,
and not reckoned among the nations.
10
Who can count the dust of Jacob,
or number the fourth part of Israel?
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end be like theirs!”
11
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them.”
12
But he answered, “Must I not be careful to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
13
Then Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place, from which you may see them; you will see only the edge of them, and not see them all. Curse them for me from there.”
14
So he took him to the Field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah; and he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
15
Then he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD there.”
16
Then the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and speak thus.”
17
When he came to him, Balak was still standing beside his burnt offering, together with the princes of Moab. And Balak said to him, “What has the LORD spoken?”
18
Then he took up his parable, and said:
“Rise up, Balak, and hear;
listen to me, son of Zippor.
19
God is not a man, that he should lie,
neither the son of man, that he should repent.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?
20
Behold, I have received command to bless;
and when he has blessed, I cannot reverse it.
21
He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob,
neither has he seen trouble in Israel.
The LORD their God is with them,
and the shout of a king is among them.
22
God, who brought them out of Egypt,
is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
23
For there is no enchantment against Jacob,
neither is there any divination against Israel.
At the appointed time it shall be said of Jacob,
and of Israel, what God has done:
24
Behold, a people that rises up like a lioness,
and lifts itself up like a lion;
that does not lie down until it has devoured the prey,
and drunk the blood of the slain.”
25
Then Balak said to Balaam, “If you will not curse them at all, then do not bless them at all.”
26
But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, saying, All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?”
27
Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will bring you to another place; perhaps it will be right in the eyes of God that you may curse them for me from there.”
28
So Balak brought Balaam to the top of Peor, which looks toward the wilderness.
29
And Balaam said to Balak, “Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams.”
30
And Balak did as Balaam had said, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
🗣️✨🙌 Summary of Numbers 23 – Balaam Blesses Israel, Not Curses It
Numbers 23 continues the story of the prophet Balaam, who was hired by Balak to curse Israel. Yet, the Lord controlled Balaam’s mouth, and from it came blessing after blessing. This shows God’s power over words and human intentions, even those of an enemy.
📌 1. The Offering and the First Revelation (verses 1–12)
- Balaam asked Balak to set up seven altars and offer seven bulls and seven rams.
- After that, Balaam withdrew to seek a word from the Lord.
The Lord put words in Balaam’s mouth:
“How can I curse what God has not cursed?”
📖 The content of the first blessing:
- Israel is a nation that is holy and set apart from the other nations.
- They are too many to count.
- Balaam declared:
“Let me die the death of the righteous…”
🎯 Balaam acknowledged the specialness of God’s people who live righteously and are blessed.
📌 2. Balak Is Angry, Balaam Remains Obedient (verses 11–12)
- Balak was upset:
“Why have you blessed, when I told you to curse?”
- Balaam answered:
“Must I not speak whatever the Lord puts in my mouth?”
🎯 A true prophet submits to the word of the Lord, not to human pressure.
📌 3. The Second Revelation (verses 13–26)
- Balak tried again, this time from a different place, hoping God would change His mind.
- Balaam again arranged the same altar and offerings.
Once more the Lord put words in Balaam’s mouth:
“God is not a man, that He should lie… He has not blessed and then regretted it.”
📖 The content of the second blessing:
- God cannot be persuaded to turn His blessing into a curse.
- No divination can touch Israel.
- Israel will rise like a lion that cannot be restrained.
🎯 This prophetic word shows the power of divine protection over His people.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord’s blessing cannot be canceled by man — not even by a prophet or a king.
- God is not like man—he is not fickle, and cannot be bribed or pressured.
- The Lord’s people are protected from curses and sorcery because of His covenant.
- The Lord can use anyone, even an enemy, to declare His glory.
- Balak portrays a world that wants to silence God’s people, but fails.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations.
- No power of sorcery, curse, or evil plan can stand against us if we are under Christ’s protection.
- Like Israel, we are a people set apart and protected by grace.
