◄ Numbers 23:5 ►
Then the LORD put a message in Balaam's mouth, saying, "Return to Balak and give him this message."
Study Bible
Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth
This phrase indicates divine inspiration and control over Balaam's words. In the biblical context, Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet, and this demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. The act of God putting words in someone's mouth is reminiscent of how God spoke through prophets like Moses (Exodus 4:12) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9). It underscores the belief that true prophecy comes directly from God, not from human invention or manipulation.

saying, “Return to Balak
Balak was the king of Moab, who sought to curse Israel through Balaam. This command to return to Balak highlights the ongoing narrative of conflict between Moab and Israel. Historically, Moab was located east of the Dead Sea, and its interactions with Israel were often marked by tension and hostility. The instruction to return signifies the continuation of God's plan and the unfolding of His will despite human intentions.

and give him this message.”
The directive to deliver a specific message emphasizes the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God. This reflects the biblical theme of obedience to God's commands, as seen in the lives of other prophets like Jonah, who was also sent with a message to a foreign nation (Jonah 1:2). The message Balaam is to deliver is not of his own making, reinforcing the idea that God's word is authoritative and unchangeable. This also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and prophecies, as seen in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who directly communicates His will and message to Balaam.

2. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet or diviner who is sought by Balak to curse Israel. Despite his questionable motives, God uses him to deliver His message.

3. Balak
The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam, hoping to weaken them.

4. Moab
The region ruled by Balak, representing opposition to Israel during their journey to the Promised Land.

5. Israel
The chosen people of God, whom Balak seeks to curse but whom God intends to bless.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Words
God has the ultimate authority over the words spoken by individuals, even those who may not fully align with His will. This reminds us of His control over all situations.

The Power of God's Blessing
No curse or ill intention can stand against God's blessing. Believers can trust in God's promises and protection over their lives.

Obedience to God's Message
Balaam, despite his initial intentions, obeys God's directive to speak only what God commands. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our words and actions with God's will.

God's Faithfulness to His People
The account underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, and by extension, His faithfulness to all who are in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the interaction between God and Balaam in Numbers 23:5 demonstrate God's control over human affairs?

2. In what ways does the account of Balaam and Balak reflect the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3?

3. How can we apply the principle of God's sovereignty over words in our daily communication and decision-making?

4. What does Balaam's obedience to God's message teach us about the importance of aligning our actions with God's will, even when it contradicts our personal desires?

5. How does the assurance of God's blessing and protection, as seen in this passage, encourage you in your current life circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:3
God's promise to Abraham that He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This foundational promise is echoed in God's dealings with Balaam and Balak.

Deuteronomy 23:5
This verse recounts how God turned Balaam's intended curse into a blessing for Israel, highlighting God's protective nature over His people.

Proverbs 21:1
Illustrates how God can direct the hearts and words of individuals, even those outside of His covenant people, to fulfill His purposes.
Sermons
An Appeal in Behalf of the Society for Promoting Christianity Among the JewsJ. W. Cunningham, M. A.Numbers 23:5-12
Balaam's Eulogy on IsraelHenry, MatthewNumbers 23:5-12
Balaam's First ParableW. Jones.Numbers 23:5-12
Balaam's Vision and PrayerW. V. Young.Numbers 23:5-12
Israel Dwelling AloneH. Hutton, M. A.Numbers 23:5-12
The Distinctive Character of God's PeopleJ. J. Eastmead.Numbers 23:5-12
The True Israel Dwelling AloneW. Taylor.Numbers 23:5-12
The Vision from the RocksH. Bonar, D. D.Numbers 23:5-12
People
Aram, Balaam, Balak, Jacob, Moses, Zippor
Places
Aram, Bamoth-baal, Egypt, Moab, Peor, Pisgah
Topics
Balaam, Balaam's, Balak, Message, Mouth, Putteth, Return, Speak, Thus, Turn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 23:5

     1443   revelation, OT

Numbers 23:3-8

     8129   guidance, examples

Numbers 23:3-12

     1421   oracles

Library
An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Philo of Alexandria, the Rabbis, and the Gospels - the Final Development of Hellenism in Its Relation to Rabbinism and the Gospel According to St. John.
It is strange how little we know of the personal history of the greatest of uninspired Jewish writers of old, though he occupied so prominent a position in his time. [173] Philo was born in Alexandria, about the year 20 before Christ. He was a descendant of Aaron, and belonged to one of the wealthiest and most influential families among the Jewish merchant-princes of Egypt. His brother was the political head of that community in Alexandria, and he himself on one occasion represented his co-religionists, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Balaam's Wish Num 23:10
 …
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Night of Miracles on the Lake of Gennesaret
THE last question of the Baptist, spoken in public, had been: Art Thou the Coming One, or look we for another?' It had, in part, been answered, as the murmur had passed through the ranks: This One is truly the Prophet, the Coming One!' So, then, they had no longer to wait, nor to look for another! And this Prophet' was Israel's long expected Messiah. What this would imply to the people, in the intensity and longing of the great hope which, for centuries, nay, far beyond the time of Ezra, had swayed …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of the Exceeding Mercy of God in Christ, to his Poor Servant, John Bunyan
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified before the sons of men. 2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a low and inconsiderable generation; my father's house being of that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Of the Decrees of God.
Eph. i. 11.--"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."--Job xxiii. 13. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." Having spoken something before of God, in his nature and being and properties, we come, in the next place, to consider his glorious majesty, as he stands in some nearer relation to his creatures, the work of his hands. For we must conceive the first rise of all things in the world to be in this self-being, the first conception …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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