Balaam Blesses Israel

​Balaam Blesses Israel

When King Balak heard, that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him, at a Moabite town, on the Arnon River, at the farthest border, of his land. 

“Didn’t I send you an urgent invitation? 

Why didn’t you come right away?” Balak asked Balaam. 

“Didn’t you believe me, when I said, that I would reward you richly?” 

Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power, to say whatever I want. 

I will speak only the message, that God puts, in my mouth.” 

Then, Balaam accompanied Balak to Kiriath-huzoth, where the king sacrificed cattle and sheep. 

He sent portions, of the meat, to Balaam …and the officials, who were with him. 

The next morning, Balak took Balaam, up to Bamoth-baal. 

From there, he could see …some of the people, of Israel, spread out below him. 

Then, Balaam said to King Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven young bulls …and seven rams, for me to sacrifice.” 

Balak followed his instructions, and, the two of them, sacrificed a young bull and a ram,  on each altar. 

Then, Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the Lord will respond to me. 

Then, I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” 

So, Balaam went, alone, to the top of a bare hill, …and God met him there. Balaam said to the Adonai, “I have prepared seven altars and have sacrificed a young bull and a ram, on each altar.” 

The Lord gave Balaam a message for King Balak. 

He said, “Go back to Balak and give him my message.” 

So, Balaam returned …and found the king standing, beside his burnt offerings, with all the officials of Moab. 

This was the message Balaam delivered: 

“Balak summoned me, to come from Aram; the king of Moab brought me, from the eastern hills. 

‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me! 

Come and announce Israel’s doom.’ 

But, how can I curse those, whom God has not cursed? 

How can I condemn those, whom the Lord has not condemned? 

I see them from the cliff tops; 

I watch them from the hills.

I see a people, who live by themselves, set apart …from other nations. 

Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust? 

Who can count, even a fourth …of Israel’s people? 

Let me die ..like the righteous; let my life end …like theirs.” 

Then, King Balak demanded of Balaam…

“What have you done to me? 

I brought you here to curse my enemies. 

Instead, you have blessed them!” 

But, Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth.” 

Numbers 22:36–41; 23:1–12 (NLT)

Praise be to God!