Balak was King of Moab, he saw “the people that came up out of Egypt” camped at his door step and became fearful. He sent to Mesopotamia for the seer called Baalam offering riches and prestige if he would come and curse these people for him. having been cursed by Baalam perviously he thought this would be the answer to his problems.
Baalam who was related to Abraham and Laban was, in fact, able to communicate with the God of Israel, and was told by YHVH not to go or curse the people. King balak did not take no for an answer and sent other more important people to convince Baalam to come to his aid. Baalam does finally agree to come, but with the understanding he could only say what God instructed him to say.
Baalam has an interesting encounter with an angel on the way, his donkey gives him advice and he responds to the donkey, and finds himself now ordered to go to King Balak, and only repeat the words from God. These words turned out to be two blessings and a clear prophecy of the end times.
Baalam, still hoping for riches, agrees to place a stumbling block in the path of the children of Israel, and not only looses his fame and riches, but later his life but not before Pinchas, a grandson of Aaron, shows up to “stay the plague” created by Baalam.
An action packed section of Scripture with lots to tell us about living, and how not to live, a spirt filled life.
