Nbalak and balaam commentary on the books of the bible

Now balak, the son of zippor, was king of the moabites at this time. Apr 19, 2011 the story of the prophet balaam in the book of numbers is one of the most fascinating that i have ever read. He took up his discourse and said, the oracle of balaam the son of beor, and the oracle of the man whose eye is opened. Bible verses about balaam 57 passages king james version. A son of beor and a prophet of pethor in mesopotamia. This is an outline of commentaries and commentators. Balak definition and verses of bible references on the topic of balak using naves topical bible concordance online. Today lets focus on a bible miracle from the book of numbers. Balaam did not transpose the blessing and the curse.

According to the lengthy account in the biblical book of numbers chapters 2224, which likely consists of two or more combined literary traditions, balak, the king of moab, is frightened by reports of the. The story of the prophet balaam in the book of numbers is one of the most fascinating that i have ever read. In this 5day devotional, learn lessons from balaam s life that will challenge you to be more sensitive to the voice of god in your life. Balaam tries to put her back on courseon his course. He considered himself a devotee of every god, believing that he could communicate, work, and curse for any god. Balaam was a wicked prophet in the bible and is noteworthy because, although he was a wicked prophet, he was not a false prophet. In judes brief exposition of ungodly people in the church, he evokes three old testament characters. These are the 3 lessons from a donkeyriding prophet that caution us to be more like the donkey than the prophet. God told balaam, in a vision, that he should not go with balaks emissaries. However, balaams heart was not right with god, and eventually he showed his true colors by. He sent messengers therefore unto balaam the son of beor to pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, behold, there is a people come out from egypt. When we read of balaam and the angel, we find that the donkey saw the angel long before balaam ever saw him. And he took up his parable, and said, balaam the son of beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said.

Bible verses about balak 40 passages king james version kjv. Then, when balaam goes to god, he leaves out some of what the princes said. Discussed are the salient points of jewish, patristic, medieval, and modern commentaries on the bible. Balak, king of moab, afraid of the invading israelites who vastly outnumbered moab, asked balaam to come and curse the people of israel. In the morning balaam saddled his donkey and went with the balaks officers. I found the three good commentaries that were not in my own library.

The doctrine of balaam is not only a serious problem, but a devious one. As they traveled, they encountered two kings who attacked them. Go to people in the bible or women in the bible balaam, son of beor, was a prophet from penthor, on the euphrates river, and balak, son of zippor, was a king of moab. Start being real with the people around you, and start being. The story of balaam in the book of numbers provides us with a case study of a. Aug 23, 2011 in judes brief exposition of ungodly people in the church, he evokes three old testament characters. As we think of balaam in the bible, let us think of the many, many ways in which god intercedes in our lives. His prophecies result from an attempt to curse israel in exchange for the money and honor of a frightened king of moab, balak son of zippor verses 27. Balaam son of beor is known to us not only from the hebrew bible but also from an inscription, found in 1967 in jordan, that can be dated to the eighth century b. If god can do miracles in the bible, he can do them in our childrens lives today. Create a 3d version of balaam s encounter with the angel. It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true god.

The way of balaam was a readiness to prostitute his high spiritual gifts and privileges for the wages of unrighteousness ii peter 2. He was killed by troops under the command of moses along with 5 kings of midian num. Balak, king of the moabites, sent messengers to balaam, the son of beor, saying, curse this people for me, since they are stronger than i. The israelites just completed successful campaigns against king sihon of the amorites in hesbon. Text exegesis the setting and background verses the first verse of numbers 22 is a concluding verse of events from the previous chapter. In numbers 22 and 23, the protagonist is not moses but balaam, a man residing near the path israel was slowly. Balaam also the son of beor, the soothsayer, did the children of israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. How can anyone take the bible seriously when it includes obvious fables like that. Tessa afshars daughter of rome, connilyn cossettes like flames in the night, brennan mcphersons babel 2019, but i read it this year and eden, and now balaams curse by c. The story of balaam, referred to by peter 2peter 2. The bible tells a story about a donkey talking to the prophet balaam.

All of these are references to the old testament character of balaam, who tried unsuccessfully to prophesy against the people of israel numbers 22. Following balaams advice balak made friends with israel and led them into temptation, corruption and ultimately to downfall. Balaam replied to the servants of balak, though balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, i could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the lord my god. Gods anger flares as balaam goes so an angel of god stands in the path to stop him. Much of the information is taken from the classic reference books including matthew george easton eastons bible dictionary and ashley s johnson condensed biblical cyclopedia. When the israelites had traveled around the land of edom, and encamped beside the river jordan, a little north of the dead sea, they did not sit down to rest, for moses knew that a great work was before them, to take the land of canaan. Commentary on numbers 2223 balak hires balaam the israelites have traveled around the borders of edom and have arrived in the land of moab, across the jordan river from the city of jericho.

After god gives his answer, balaam reports back to the princes, this time leaving out some of what god said. When the frontal assault failed, balaam took a backdoor approach. When balaam reached moab, balak offered animal sacrifices, and took balaam to multiple locations where balaam was able to see various portions of the israelite encampment. Jul 02, 2019 if god can do miracles in the bible, he can do them in our childrens lives today. Even though we are more familiar about balaam s donkey talking, did you know that balaam was fool as he even talked to the donkey. So gods concern is rightly for his oppressed creature. However, it is simplistic to see them merely as evil men, for they also had an air of godliness to them, seeking god or having a connection to him. Balaam did declare gods will neither more nor less without reservation and without stint. One of the most interesting characters youll ever find in the bible is a guy named balaam. He is not an israelite but apparently a syrian who lived in pethor, a town situated near the euphrates just south of carchemish numbers 22. The bull and ram are the prime animals to offer because of their value, and the number seven has a long history of being especially propitious. I was captivated by the tales humor, and also by the prophet being given the privilege to speak with god in his dreams. Balaam, son of beor was not of the tribes of israel.

Commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. The narrative relating to balaam is found in numbers 22xxiv. However, each time as recorded in numbers 23 and numbers 24, balaam instead pronounced a blessing on them. Balaam in numbers, name means glutton or foreigner, balaam reputation as diviner, balak wants to buy services, pronounce a curse on israelites, consults with god, balaam refuses to go, more money is offered, balaam talks with god, gives permission to go, angel tries to prevent, donkey sees angel, balaam beats donkey, donkey speaks, angel says donkey saved him, god will tell him what to.

The oracle of him who hears the words of god, who sees the vision of the almighty, falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, read more. Balaam in the bible devotional reflections from the bible. The diviner has balak build seven altars, on each of which he offers a bull and a ram numbers 23. Every ancient reference to balaam considers him a nonisraelite, a prophet, and the son of beor, though beor is not clearly identified. When balak realized how many israelites were camped east of the jordan river, and how they had conquered the amorites, he sent messengers to balaam to come and put a curse of the. While the israelite multitude was camped in moab listening to moses, the moabites and midianites were receiving oracles from god through balaam one of those many prophets whom god had dispersed.

Please check the reference to make sure it is correct. Balaam, of course, had no power, in himself, to curse israel, but, if god were willing to curse israel, balaam would be rewarded through balak. Balaam hits the donkey to get her back on the path. Sihon, king of the amorites, and og, king of bashan. Though some sources may only describe the positive blessings he. Balaam, in the seat of power over the donkey, beats her for obeying god. When god speaks through unexpected sources numbers 2224. The princes come to balaam and tell him what balak has asked. Balaam was apparently willing to do this but said he needed gods permission verse 8. His death was a part of the judgment upon moab and midian. In all honesty, ive had a hard time figuring this guy out. He was much like any multiculturalist we see todaywilling to dabble among all the different religions, tolerant of all, willing to take something from here and another thing from there and make a syncretistic mix. Balaam is a diviner in the torah old testament whose story begins in chapter 22 of the book.

They cover the face of the earth, and they are settling next to me. According to numbers 22, the moabite king balak had sent for balaam to come and place a curse on the israelites, who had escaped from egypt and were in the wilderness. What a wise man learned from an ass balaam and king balak bible story. Even though he knew balak was gods enemy, he tried to sell his prophetic gifts to help him. That is, balaam did hear from god, and god did give him some true prophecies to speak. Jude and 2 peter baker exegetical commentary on the new testament by gene green, baker academic.

If his donkey would not have refused to go on, balaam would have been killed. And balak the son of zippor saw all that israel had done to the amorites. Thus far this has been an incredible year for biblical fiction. Balaams female donkey sees the angel of god standing with a sword in his hand and turns the other way. Balaam states that he will utter only what his god yahweh inspires, but he is willing to accompany the moabite messengers to balak.

And according to balak, the king of moab whod really like to defeat and destroy the israelites, balaams work really does the tricki know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed 22. And moab said unto the elders of midian, now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. Cut out a road from brown construction paper and use green paper for grass. For the right fee, hell bless or curse whomever you want. Jan 02, 2020 balaams name is also invoked in 2 peter 2. What the bible says about balaams donkey from forerunner commentary numbers 22. Balaam was a pagan prophet for hire who was warned by god not to prophesy against the israelites num. Balaam the 1901 jewish encyclopedia bible encyclopedia.

At each location, balak asked balaam to curse the israelites. God told balaam, you must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed verse 12. Commentary on numbers 2223 balak hires balaam tough. We have selected balaam as one of the most important people and character from the bible and provided a biography and character outline of this famous person.

This strange intercourse between men so different in position and character has come to an end. And balaam beat the donkey, to turn her back to the road. At this first appearance of the angel of the lord, the donkey changes course good donkey. Balaam, son of beor, was a seer from aram, internationally famous for the effectiveness of his blessings and curses. Now please, you also stay here tonight, and i will find out what else the lord will speak to me. Balaam, a prophet from mesopotamia, was willing to use his godgiven talents for illicit purposes. Why we suffer, the story of balaam and the talking donkey. Balaam said unto balak, build me here seven altars balak, being a heathen, would naturally suppose these altars were erected in honor of baal, the patron deity of his country. Simply rightclick the image and save to your computer. This is known in the bible as the matter of baalpeor. God has certainly spoken to pagans in other biblical narratives, so perhaps balaam is a true believer.

Teaching children about bible miracles balaams donkey. The book is basically the sacred history of the israelites as they wandered in the. And balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place. David guzik commentary on numbers 22, where a god speaks through a donkey to the prophet balaam, who meets king balak with a surprising message. Fun for kids to print and test their knowledge of balaam and his donkey, king balak, and the twelve tribes of israel. Balaam in numbers, name means glutton or foreigner, balaam reputation as diviner, balak wants to buy services, pronounce a curse on israelites, consults with god, balaam refuses to go, more money is offered, balaam talks with god, gives permission to go, angel tries to prevent, donkey sees angel, balaam beats donkey, donkey speaks, angel says donkey saved him, god will tell. According to the lengthy account in the biblical book of numbers chapters 2224, which likely consists of two or more combined literary traditions, balak, the king of moab, is. The article includes discussion of the targums, mishna, and talmuds, which are not regarded as bible commentaries in the modern sense of the word, but which provide the foundation for later commentary. Balak has now nothing to complain of, but that balaam did not come sooner.