1 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.
5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.
6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?
13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.
14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
15 And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.
16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?
27 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.
29 And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.
30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
The book of Numbers, also known as the fourth book of Moses, is the fourth book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It primarily focuses on the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and their experiences along the way. Chapter 23 of Numbers continues the story of the Israelites as they camp in the plains of Moab, preparing to enter the land of Canaan. In this chapter, the prophet Balaam is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. However, God intervenes and uses Balaam to bless the Israelites instead. This chapter also highlights the themes of God's faithfulness, the power of prayer, and the importance of obedience.
The chapter begins with Balak, the king of Moab, becoming afraid of the Israelites' large numbers and their recent victories over other nations. He seeks the help of Balaam, a renowned prophet, to curse the Israelites and prevent them from taking over his land. Balak sends messengers to Balaam with a generous offer, but God warns Balaam not to go with them and not to curse the Israelites because they are blessed by Him.
Despite God's warning, Balaam agrees to go with Balak's messengers, hoping to receive a larger reward. However, God is angry with him for disobeying His command and sends an angel to block his path. Balaam's donkey sees the angel and refuses to move, causing Balaam to become frustrated and beat the animal. Eventually, God opens the donkey's mouth, and it speaks to Balaam, revealing the angel's presence. Balaam realizes his mistake and repents, and the angel allows him to continue on his journey.
When Balaam arrives in Moab, Balak takes him to a high place to see a portion of the Israelite camp. Balaam builds seven altars and offers sacrifices to God. He then tells Balak that he can only speak the words that God puts in his mouth. Instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blesses them three times. Each time, Balak becomes more frustrated, and he asks Balaam to curse the Israelites. However, Balaam insists on speaking only what God has commanded him.
Through these blessings, Balaam prophesies about the greatness of Israel and how God will protect and bless them. He also mentions the future coming of a king from the Israelites who will conquer their enemies and rule over them with righteousness. These blessings not only reassure the Israelites of God's faithfulness and protection but also serve as a warning to their enemies that they cannot be cursed or defeated by anyone.
One of the main themes of this chapter is the power of prayer and obedience. Balaam, despite his initial desire for wealth and fame, ultimately listens to God and obeys His command. He also relies on prayer to seek God's guidance and only speaks the words that God puts in his mouth. Through his example, we see the importance of obedience to God's will and the power of prayer in our lives.
Furthermore, the blessings that Balaam speaks over the Israelites serve as a reminder that God's plans and promises for us are unchangeable. Despite Balak's attempts to curse the Israelites, God's blessings and protection prevail. This chapter shows us that when we trust and obey God, He will always fulfill His promises and protect us from our enemies.
Chapter 23 of Numbers is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and protection over His people. It also highlights the importance of prayer and obedience in our relationship with God. Through Balaam's story, we see that even when we may have selfish motives or desires, God can still use us for His purposes if we are willing to listen and obey Him.
This chapter also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised King from the Israelites. Balaam's prophecy about a future king who will conquer their enemies and rule with righteousness is a clear reference to Jesus, who came to save us from our sins and defeat the ultimate enemy, death. It serves as a reminder that God's plans and promises will always come to fruition, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Overall, chapter 23 of Numbers teaches us the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and following His will for our lives. It reminds us that despite the challenges and enemies we may face, God is always with us and will never forsake us. Through prayer and obedience, we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and protection, just as the Israelites did in this chapter.
In conclusion, chapter 23 of Numbers is a significant part of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, as it highlights God's faithfulness and protection over them. It also serves as a reminder for us to trust in God, pray, and obey His will for our lives. This chapter holds a powerful message of hope and reassurance that no matter what challenges we may face, God is always with us, and His promises will always come to pass.
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