Scripture 101: Numbers

Part 5: The Errors of Balaam (Numbers 22-24)
June 29, 2025, Pastor Scott Simon, Family Sunday

1. Situational Background.

a. Yahweh was leading Israel toward the Promised Land after forty years of wandering.

b. Israel’s journey brought the nomadic nations to the plains near Moab.

c. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew and close relatives of Israel.

d. However, Balak, king of Moab, was filled with fear and dread at the sight of Israel’s presence.

e. Balak was unaware that God had commanded Israel to remain at peace with Moab.

f. Instead of seeking peace, Balak sought to hire Balaam, a diviner and prophet, to curse Israel.

2. Background on Balaam.

a. Balaam profited from speaking prophecies about which he claimed to have divine authority.

b. Balaam also engaged in polytheism and divination.

c. Balaam was not an Israelite but claimed to have the gift of prophesying for Yahweh.

d. Balaam had a donkey that served him faithfully for quite some time before Balak hired him.

3. Balaam’s true character.

a. Greed (Jude 11).

b. Loved the wages of unrighteousness; went astray from a relationship with God (2 Pet. 2:15-16).
c. Accepted and proclaimed false doctrine (idolatry and sexual immorality, Rev. 2:14).

4. God’s message was communicated through Balaam’s donkey.

a. Balaam was in direct, bilateral communication with Yahweh, but his heart was not surrendered.

b. Balaam hoped God would change His mind or that he could profit from Moab after God said no.

c. God judged Balaam’s rebellious heart by sending him to Moab to be rebuked by the Lord.

d. The Angel of the Lord blocked Balaam’s way three times while he rode on his donkey.

i. Balaam’s donkey could see the angel and responded appropriately in fear of the angel.

ii. Balaam, who claimed to represent God to others, was unable to see or fear Him.

iii. Balaam was angry with his donkey and beat her for fearing the Lord more than him.

e. Then the Angel of the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey to speak to Balaam.

f. This true account reveals several key points.

i. Balaam had a heart of rebellion and was not discerning of God’s will.

ii. Animals have remarkable intelligence, but most naturally lack the ability to speak.

iii. God performs miracles at will. Nothing, including a talking donkey, is impossible for Him.

iv. God can communicate through rebels, pagans, and animals if He wills.

5. Application for believers.

a. True obedience to God requires conforming our hearts, minds, and flesh to His will.

b. God knows the heart, and He may take extreme measures to expose what only He can see in us.

c. Don’t be impressed by the words of men but rather seek to know God by His word alone.

d. Be open to the miraculous work of God and never make excuses for biblical miracles.

e. Accept the Lord’s correction and make meaningful changes in response to His rebukes.