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Learn the real story about Balaam’s life and times in this Bible Study guide…Balaam is one of the most interesting and controversial people in the Bible. Also, his prophecies would appear to be self-fulfilling. Whatever he saw in his visions of God, he told his employers (the Moabites) what he saw and God gave him Balak’s many messages that Balaam read just as his employer wanted them to be read.
Bible Study On Balaam
Balaam was a prophet and soothsayer, who lived on the east side of the Jordan River. Balaam was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel when they entered the land. But God would not allow him to do this, so he blessed Israel instead (Num. 22-24).
Balaam had a donkey that could speak, and it rebuked him for not following God’s instructions (Num. 22:21-34).
Balaam is mentioned several times in the New Testament (Matt. 2:16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14).
The Bible contains many examples of men and women who have been led astray by Satan. One of the most dramatic stories is that of Balaam, a pagan prophet hired to curse Israel by Balak, king of Moab.
Balaam’s story is found in Numbers 22-24. This article will briefly review these chapters and then study Balaam’s character and motives more closely.
Balaam’s Story
Balaam was a pagan prophet who lived in the ancient city of Pethor (2 Peter 2:15). Balak, king of Moab, wanted to know how he might defeat Israel so that he could possess their land (Numbers 22:1-6). He sent his elders to find out what they could from Balaam regarding this matter (Numbers 22:7-9). Balaam agreed to go with them but warned them that he had no power over Israel—only Yahweh could do that (Numbers 22:10-12). After they arrived at Pethor, however, Balaam became angry when Yahweh refused to allow him to curse Israel (Numbers 23:16-19; 24:1-4). Balak then sent more elders with more expensive gifts for
Balak, king of Moab, sent for Balaam to curse Israel, who had taken refuge in his country. Balaam was willing to go, but the Lord would not permit it. In answer to Balak’s messengers, he said: “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God (Num. 22:18). Again he said: “What hath God wrought? Behold, the people is risen up as an enemy (Deut. 33:29).
The Bible teaches us that God’s plan is for us to live in harmony with His Word. But sometimes we don’t see the truth, and we fall into error.
Balaam was a prophet who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He was hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites who were camped across the Jordan River from Moab. Balak offered to pay Balaam handsomely for his services, but Balaam refused the offer three times (Num 22:12–20).
Later, God sent an angel with instructions for Balaam: “Do not go with them; do not curse the people” (22:21). But when Balak sent more money and promised even greater rewards if Balaam would only curse Israel, he went along with their plan (23:1–2).
The story of Balaam has been used over the years as an example of someone who didn’t follow God’s will or obey Him even though he knew what was right. However, there are some things we need to consider before we judge him too harshly.
First, let’s look at some facts about this man. He was a prophet who had been given divine revelations through angels (Num 22:
The story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22-24 and 31. Balaam was a prophet who lived during the time of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, around 1450 BCE. In the story, Balaam is hired by Balak (king of Moab) to curse Israel.
Balaam had been told by God that he could not curse Israel, but he wanted to test God’s promise and see if it were true. He was allowed to go with Balak’s messengers to meet with them on their borders, but God put a hedge up so that he couldn’t see any further than that.
God then gave Balaam all the things he asked for: a donkey with a beautiful saddle; two servants; and permission to go wherever he wanted within Balak’s borders. Balaam rode on his donkey while his servants walked behind him carrying his provisions. At some point during this journey, one of his servants noticed an angel blocking their path as they approached an area called “the top of Pisgah.” The servant asked him what he should do about this angel who was blocking their way.
Balaam answered: Turn aside from following me;
What Does The Bible Say About Balaam
Balaam was a prophet who lived in the land of Moab, which was a neighboring nation to Israel. The Israelites had just come out of Egypt, and they were on their way to the Promised Land. The King of Moab wanted to stop them from entering his land and taking over his property, so he sent messengers to Balaam to ask him to curse Israel.
Balaam was not happy about this request. He didn’t want to curse God’s people; he wanted to bless them. But since it was against God’s law for him to say no, he said yes. The King offered him money and whatever else he wanted if he would only do as asked.
When Balaam arrived at a particular place where Israel had camped, God told him not to go with the messengers or say anything against Israel because they were blessed by Him (Numbers 22:7). But Balaam went anyway because he wanted more money than what the King had already given him (verse 15). When they arrived at the camp of Israel, Balaam began talking in parables so that only God could understand what he was saying (verse 18). He then told them that they would be destroyed by their enemies because they had
Balaam was a prophet from the city of Pethor in Babylon. His name means “illustrious” or “distinguished.” He was called to prophesy by God, and he always did his best to obey God’s commands.
Balaam was asked by King Balak to curse the Israelites, but he refused, because that’s not what prophets do. Instead, he told them God’s message: they were blessed, and they should keep doing what they were doing.
When Balaam saw that God had given him power over all these animals and people, he fell down on his face and declared, “It is too much for me! I can’t go up there!” (Numbers 22:5). He knew this wasn’t something he could do on his own—it had taken God’s help for him to do it at all!
The story of Balaam is a fascinating one. It’s one of those stories that you read and think “Wow, I’ve never heard this before!”
Balaam was a prophet who lived in the land of Moab. He was hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel because they were so strong and defeating their enemies. But God wouldn’t let Balaam do this, so he had to try to find another way to curse Israel. So instead he told them what would happen if they kept going on the path they were on—but it didn’t work either!
There are lots of lessons in this story: don’t try to curse people; don’t lie; be honest with yourself about who God really is; and seek out wisdom from those who know more than you do.
The book of Numbers tells the story of Balaam and his donkey. In this chapter, Balak, the king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse the Israelites as they pass through his land. God forbids Balaam to curse Israel so he tries to trick God by blessing them instead.
Balaam’s story shows us how difficult it is to do good when you don’t want to. It also shows us how God can use even the most unlikely people for his purposes.
Balaam, a prophet of God, was given the ability to speak in the language of animals. He was traveling with Balak, king of Moab, when he had his first encounter with God.
Balak was afraid of Israel because they had defeated other nations in battle and were moving through their territory toward Canaan. He asked Balaam to curse Israel so they would not be able to enter into his land. Balaam refused to do this but agreed to go with Balak’s messengers and give them advice on how they could defeat Israel.
Balaam rode on his donkey as he traveled into Israel’s camp where he saw the angel of the Lord blocking his path (Numbers 22:22). This was an unusual occurrence because no one could see God or his angels except for Moses (Exodus 33:20). But Balaam wanted to see what it would look like before anyone else, so he asked God if he could pass by him (Numbers 22:23). The Lord allowed it but told Balaam that if he did not heed His voice, then He would kill him (Numbers 22:24).
As soon as Balaam entered the camp, he started speaking about how great God must be since
Important Reminders From The Story Of Balaam And His Talking Donkey
The Bible records a plethora of inconceivable, but true, accounts. And the story of a talking donkey is in good company—along with a burning bush (Exodus 3:2) or gentle breeze (1 Kings 19:12)—as proof of the miraculous mouthpieces God can choose. In the story of Balaam, we find a man who professed obedience to the Lord, but grappled with a greedy heart. Let’s unpack the Bible story of Balaam and see what we can learn.
Who Was Balaam in the Bible?
The Bible tells us that Balaam was the son of Beor (Numbers 22:5), living in Pethor near the Euphrates River. Balaam was highly regarded by the Moabites and Midianites as a soothsayer (Joshua 13:22) and prophet (Numbers 24:2-9) who could bless or curse with his words. His brother, Bela, was a king of Edom.
Although Balaam lived among idolaters, he professed great knowledge of God. So, when the Israelites encroached on the plains of Moab, the king of the Moabites, Balak, summoned Balaam. He feared the Israelites would attack, and he wanted Balaam to put a curse on them.
Balaam is known as a powerful diviner, so Balak asks him:
“A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed”(Numbers 22:5-6).
Where Does Balaam Appear in the Bible?
You can read the portion of Balaam’s story that involves his donkey, in context, in Numbers 22. The saga, and Balaam’s ultimate demise, is recorded in the chapters that follow. But here in Numbers 22:12-20 we read that God tells Balaam not to put a curse on the Israelites because they are blessed.
Because of this, Balaam tells Balak’s officials that the Lord will not allow him to go with them. So Balak sweetens the offer, tempting Balaam with, “Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me” (Numbers 22:16-17).
Then Balaam, in what I believe is the revealing moment, goes back to God. He sees Balaam’s heart. It’s possible that God knew Balaam wanted the prize money more than God.
But God allows him to go, giving Balaam a second chance, but warning him to “do only what I tell you” (Numbers 2:20).
What Did Balaam Do?
Balaam rode his donkey along with the Moabites to go curse the Israelites. We don’t know why God was “angry when he went” (Number 20:22) but we can imagine God knows Balaam’s ways. To end Balaam’s willfulness, God sends an angel to block the path. But Balaam, intent on his assignment, doesn’t notice the angel. But the donkey does. Three times.
The first time, it causes the donkey to swerve away. And in an unsettling reveal of Balaam’s true nature, Balaam beats the frightened donkey back onto the path. The second time, the angel stands in a narrow path with walls on both sides. Again…Balaam exacts his frustration by beating the poor donkey. Finally, on the third account, the angel stands where “there is no room to turn, either to the right or the left” (Numbers 20:26).
The donkey is so frightened, it lays down, with Balaam still riding him. And how does Balaam behave? You guessed it. He beats the terrified animal who is already as low as he can get.
At this point, Scripture tells us the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and the donkey asks “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” Outraged Balaam cries, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand I would kill you right now” (Numbers 20:29).
It’s a display of pride and wickedness that twists your stomach. The donkey reasons, asking Balaam “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
Then God opens Balaam’s eyes, and he sees the angel in the road, sword drawn. Only now does Balaam fall on his face in reverence.
The angel admonishes Balaam, asking why he beat his donkey heartlessly instead of realizing that his path was reckless. Now Balaam, a man who claims such devotion to God he can speak his very words, admits that he has sinned. He responds with “I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back” (Numbers 20:34).
Balaam does go back and stands by his conviction that he can only do what the Lord tells him to. And as it turns out in the ensuing chapters, the Lord will not allow Balaam to curse the Israelites.
In the eventual battle between Israel and the Midianites Balaam is killed while fighting on the side of Balak (Numbers 31:8).
Did Balaam’s Donkey Really Talk?
The word of God is true, and the account of Balaam and the Moabites is historical record. Obviously we weren’t there to witness, but we know from Scripture that God can use anything he wants, to speak to us.
In this account, the voice of God comes through a donkey to convict Balaam of how his desire for prize money was blinding him, and separating him from the work God had called him toward.
Just as we believe the angel spoke to Mary about her immaculate conception, because Jesus was real in the flesh and rose from the dead, we can believe that Balaam’s donkey actually spoke.
3 Lessons from Balaam’s Story
1. God sees your heart, so heed his call.
This wayward bent of Balaam’s heart that continued in wickedness, is a telling tale of the inability to hide our hearts from God. Even in the New Testament, we still see the true character of Balaam recalled:
“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness” (2 Peter 2:15-1).
What we learn is to lean into Psalm 139’s example. Be in the healthy habit of asking God to search our hearts, see if there are any offensive ways, and lead us in the way everlasting.
2. Enticing others to sin will be the death of something.
Causing others to sin can sever relationships, especially with God. It’s true that Jesus gives us a way to repent and reconcile, but at the end of the story in Revelation, it’s clear what matters dearly to God about Balaam’s ongoing choices, even beyond his painful encounter with his donkey.
“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality” (Rev. 2:14).
And ultimately, when the Midianites and the Israelites went to battle, Balaam was slain while fighting on Balak’s side (Numbers 31:8).
3. God is in charge.
Let’s look at what is declared in Deuteronomy, after God holds his blessing on the Israelites firm…despite the desires of Balak and Balaam.
“No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, not even in the tenth generation. For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. However, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you” (Deuteronomy 23:3-5).
God is love. And that love is fierce, almighty, all-knowing, and all good. Where he calls you, he will guide.
More like the gentle donkey, and less like Balaam, let’s seek God’s voice and follow it. When others tempt you to curse or harm others, even if great reward is offered, consider the reward you already have in Jesus. Run your thoughts through his teachings, and make your choices based on the voice that is trustworthy.