Numbers 22: God's Protection From Curses
Numbers 22: God's Protection From Curses
Collin Leong. March 24, 2026
(v1-21) Balak Summons Balaam
(v1-3) Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel has done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dead of the people, because they are many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel.
Balak WAS the king of Moab at that time. He saw what Israelites had done to the Amorites and became deeply fearful. The Amorites conquered the land from Moab north of of the Arnon river (Num 21:26-30; modern day Wadi Mujib in Jordan). If Israel can defeat Amorites, they can definitely defeat Moab.
(v4-5a) Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." So Balak, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw,
Exp: The Medianites are descendent of Abraham by Keturah (Gen 25:2). The elders of Midian are princes or chiefs, entrusted with diplomatic and religious negotiations. The Moabites collaborated with the Medianites to defend themselves against Israel. However, the Israelites would not have started a war with Moab, as God told them not to harass Moab (and Ammon), since their lands south of Arnon were preserved for them. (Deut 2:9,19)
Balaam was a gentile prophet/diviner from Pethor near the Euphrates River (in Mesopotamia), hundreds of kilometers away at the northeast of Moab. The “people of Amaw” is mostly translated to “the land of his people” or “the land of the children of Ammon,” referring to Balaam’s homeland region near the Euphrates.
(v5b-7) ... to call him, saying "Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." So the elders of Moab and elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message.
Exp: According to some calculation, the trip from Moab to Pethor would have taken 3-4 weeks. (Caravans average 20-30 km/day; Distance: 600-700 km)
(v8-12) And he said to them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me." So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. And God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?" And Balaam said to God that Balak has sent them to him, with a message that a large number of people had come out from Egypt and he wants him to curse them so that he can defeat them. God told him: "You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."
Exp: Balaam says he need to hear from the LORD before he decides. Balaam was a diviner/seer, why did he says the "LORD" and not other spirits? This is probably because he knows that Israel's God is the LORD. To curse them, he must deal with their God. Other gods or spirits would be powerless against their God. The text emphasizes that Yahweh takes the initiative: He comes to Balaam at night and speaks directly. The LORD is in control. Scripture consistently portrays Balaam negatively: Deut 23:4–5 - he is condemned for seeking to curse Israel. Rev 2:14 - Balaam is linked to idolatry and immorality.
(v13-14) So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go to you own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you." So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and told him that Balak refuses to come with them.
Exp: By the time the princes return to Balak, 6-8 weeks have passed from the original sending.
(v15-21) Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than before. And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak: 'Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me." But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do less or more. So, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me." And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you." So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princess of Moab.
Exp: In the ancient Near Eastern setting, seers often invoked the names of different deities depending on the context. Balaam may have been acknowledging Yahweh’s authority in this specific situation without being a faithful servant. He speaks correctly about God’s authority, but his later actions (seeking reward, advising Israel’s corruption through Moabite women) expose his hypocrisy. Right words don not equal right heart. The narrative warns against being impressed by spiritual language when the life behind it is compromised. God can use even corrupt people to declare His truth.
This time, God allows Balaam to go, but sets boundaries: Balaam can only say what God puts in his mouth. By the time Balaam reach Moab, it would have been 12-16 weeks after Balak first sent the original message.
(v22-41) Balaam's Donkey and the Angel
(v22-25) But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. He was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the donkey saw the angel, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again.
Exp: Why was God angry at Balaam, when he obeyed God's instruction to go with the princess? Because God can see the heart. He knows that Balaam is driven by greed and ambition, not obedience. His action may be right, but his motive is wrong. True obedience requires the right heart, not just the right words. The anger is a warning that Balaam’s path is perilous unless he fully submits.
(v26-30) Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 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?" And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, then I would kill you." And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said "No."
Exp: I don't know about you, but if an animal speaks to me, the first thing I'd do is run away! But Balaam doesn't seem surprised, and argued with his donkey! He said the donkey made him look like a fool, but he is a fool if he think this is normal! He should have known that God is the one who is controlling the donkey, and made her speak. The donkey even challenges him, whether she had ever disobeyed Balaam before? And Balaam said "no".
(v31-33) Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the LORD said to him "Why have you struck your donkey three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because you way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely I would have killed you and let her live."
Exp: When the angel said Balaam "is perverse before me", it doesn't necessarily mean is the pre-incarnate Christ. Angels have the authority to speak on God's behalf in as a first-person. They can also feel the sin of what we do, such as being perverse. To be perverse before the angel is to be perverse before God. It so happens that the donkey saved Balaam's life.
(v34-35) Then Balaam said to the angel, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back." The angel said, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
Exp: Again, the angel said to Balaam in first-person: "I tell you". So how do we know this is pre-incarnate Christ (Christophany) or not? One clue is when the "angel" accepts worship or claims divine rights, then He is likely the pre-incarnate Christ. For example, Genesis 17:7-13, Hagar said to the angel: "You are a God of seeing", when the angel promised her that he will multiply her offspring. In Exodus 3:2-6, and angel appeared in a flame of fire in the bush, but then it said "I am the God of you father...". In the case of Numbers 22, there were no indication of claiming divine rights.
(v36-38) When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. And Balak said: "Did I not call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" Balaam said: "Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.
Exp: Balak seems to be impatient that Balaam had refused the first time the princes went. By now, it has been 12-16 weeks, due to the 2 round trips the princes had to take. But Balaam warned him that he cannot curse or bless, until God tells him what to say. However, Balaam already know God wants him to bless, not curse. Perhaps this is to avoid any unpleasantry with Balak.
Exp: Kiriath-huzoth (means "city of broad ways"), near Mount Pisgah, is Balaam first stop with Balak. This is where Balak sacrifice an oxen and sheep, not for God, but to honor Balaam and the princes. The next morning, they went to Bamoth-baal (means "High places of Baal"). There was a shrine there on the Abarim range, near Mount Pisgah/Mount Nebo. It is linked with the stopping‑places of the Isralites in Numbers 21:19–20 (“to the top of Pisgah”). This place was later allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:17). From that high area, Balaam had to look northwest to see a part of Israel's people.
Key Messages
Numbers 22 introduces the account of Balaam and Balak, highlighting God’s sovereignty over pagan divination, the futility of opposing His covenant people, and the surprising ways He communicates His will. Themes include God’s protection of Israel, the danger of greed and compromise, and the necessity of obedience to God’s word.
1. Balak’s Fear and Summons (vv. 1–6)
Balak, king of Moab, fears Israel’s growing strength and seeks Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse Israel. He attempts to manipulate spiritual power against God’s people.
Application: Opposition to God’s people often arises from fear and insecurity. Believers are reminded that no human scheme can overturn God’s promises. Trust in God’s covenant protection is essential when facing hostility.
2. Balaam’s First Response (vv. 7–13)
Balaam consults God, who forbids him to curse Israel because they are blessed. Balaam initially refuses Balak’s request.
Application: God’s word is clear and authoritative. Believers must hold fast to God’s revealed truth, even when pressured by worldly offers or influence.
3. Renewed Temptation and God’s Permission (vv. 14–21)
Balak sends more distinguished messengers with greater rewards. Balaam wavers, entertaining the offer. God permits him to go but commands him to speak only His word.
Application: Temptation often returns with greater intensity. Believers must guard against greed and compromise, remembering that obedience to God’s word is non-negotiable.
4. The Angel of the Lord and the Donkey (vv. 22–35)
God’s anger burns against Balaam’s duplicity. The Angel of the Lord blocks his path, and Balaam’s donkey sees the angel and speaks, exposing Balaam’s blindness. Balaam confesses his sin and submits to God’s command.
Application: God may use unexpected means to confront disobedience. Believers should remain humble, recognizing that spiritual blindness can be corrected through God’s intervention. Obedience requires repentance and submission.
5. Balaam Meets Balak (vv. 36–41)
Balaam arrives and warns Balak that he can only speak the words God puts in his mouth. The stage is set for God’s sovereignty to be displayed in the coming oracles.
Application: Faithfulness means declaring God’s truth without alteration. Believers are called to integrity in speech, resisting the temptation to please others at the expense of God’s message.
Numbers 22 is a chapter of confrontation between human schemes and divine sovereignty. Balak seeks to curse Israel, Balaam wavers under temptation, but God asserts His authority, protecting His people and ensuring His word prevails. Believers are reminded that God’s blessing cannot be overturned, His word cannot be compromised, and His protection cannot be breached. The call is to trust, obey, and speak faithfully, even when pressured by fear, greed, or opposition.
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