Big Idea: God’s will is to bless his people.

Understanding the Text

Balak king of Moab hires the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22). Yahweh informs Balaam that Israel is blessed, not cursed (Num. 22:12), and that trying to curse Israel will place Balaam himself under God’s judgment (Num. 22:22–38). Nevertheless, God allows Balaam to go to Balak on condition that he say nothing other than what God will tell him (Num. 22:20, 35).

What follows are three oracles. Three times the angel of the Lord has threatened to kill Balaam riding on his donkey. Now three times Balaam blesses Israel (Num. 24:10).1 Each oracle follows a similar sequence (see table 1).

Historical and Cultural Background

Balaam instructs Balak to build seven altars and offer on each a bull and a ram (Num. 23:1–2). M…