Balak, the son of Zippor, was the king of Moab during the time of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. His account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24. Balak's reign is marked by his fear and subsequent actions against the Israelites, who had encamped on the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan River, opposite Jericho.

Historical Context

Balak's fear of the Israelites was not unfounded. The Israelites had recently defeated the Amorites and other neighboring peoples, and their numbers were vast. As the king of Moab, Balak was concerned about the potential threat they posed to his kingdom. The Moabites, descendants of Lot, were historically related to the Israelites, yet this did not prevent Balak from seeking to oppose them.

The Summoning of Balaam

In an attempt to counter the perceived threat, Balak sent messengers to Balaam, a well-known prophet or diviner residing in Pethor, near the Euphrates River. Balak's intent was to have Balaam curse the Israelites, believing that a curse would weaken them and allow Moab to defeat them. Numbers 22:6 records Balak's plea: "Please come now and curse this people for me, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

Balaam's Response

Initially, God instructed Balaam not to go with Balak's messengers and not to curse the Israelites, for they were blessed (Numbers 22:12). However, after Balak persisted and sent more distinguished officials with promises of great reward, God permitted Balaam to go, but only to speak what He commanded (Numbers 22:20).

The Oracles of Balaam

Despite Balak's repeated attempts to have Balaam curse Israel, each of Balaam's oracles pronounced blessings instead. In Numbers 23:8 , Balaam declared, "How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?" Balaam's prophecies affirmed the divine favor upon Israel and foretold their future victories and prosperity.

Balak's Frustration

Balak's frustration grew with each oracle, as Balaam continued to bless rather than curse Israel. In Numbers 24:10-11 , Balak's anger is evident: "Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. Now go home! I said I would reward you richly, but the LORD has denied you any reward.'"

Legacy and Lessons

Balak's account serves as a testament to the futility of opposing God's will. Despite his efforts to manipulate spiritual forces against Israel, God's sovereign plan prevailed. Balak's reliance on human schemes and his failure to recognize the divine blessing upon Israel highlight the importance of aligning with God's purposes. His narrative is a reminder of the power of God's promises and the protection He affords His people.1111. Balaq -- "devastator," a Moabite king
... 1110, 1111. Balaq. 1112 . "devastator," a Moabite king. Transliteration: Balaq
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-lawk') Short Definition: Balak. ... Balak. ...
/hebrew/1111.htm - 6k

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... SERMON XVIII. Balak's inquiries relative to the service of God, and Balaam's
answer, briefly considered. Micah vi.6, 7, 8. "Wherewith ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Balaam
... 'Remember,' says the prophet Micah, 'O my people, what Balak, king of Moab, consulted,
and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiv balaam.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... a further word is in place. Balak the Moabite sent for this heathen prophet
to "curse" Israel. A handsome reward was offered for ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... As Balaam's discourse formed the answer to Balak's message""Come, curse me this
people; peradventure we shall prevail to smite them and drive them out of the ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. ...
And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Sermons on Various Important Subjects
... God willing that all Men should be saved. SERMON XVIII. Balak's inquiries relative
to the service of God, and Balaam's answer, briefly considered. SERMON XIX. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lee/sermons on various important subjects/

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain." This conclusion
of Balaam's second prophecy, which at once demolishes Balak's vain hopes ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Balak's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Balak's (3 Occurrences). Numbers 22:7 And the
elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the ...
/b/balak's.htm - 7k

Balak (42 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BALAK. ba'-ak ... Israelites. See BALAAM.
Multi-Version Concordance Balak (42 Occurrences). Revelation ...
/b/balak.htm - 20k

Kindled (83 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands
together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and ...
/k/kindled.htm - 34k

Persisted (8 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Numbers 24:10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his
hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and ...
/p/persisted.htm - 9k

Balamon

/b/balamon.htm - 6k

Altogether (56 Occurrences)
... die: shall we then expire altogether? (DBY). Numbers 23:11 Balak said to
Balaam, "What have you done to me? I took you to curse my ...
/a/altogether.htm - 25k

Balaam (62 Occurrences)
... When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan,
by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from Aram, out of the mountains of the east ...
/b/balaam.htm - 38k

Summoned (103 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands
together; and Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and ...
/s/summoned.htm - 35k

Smote (281 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands
together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies ...
/s/smote.htm - 39k

Who was Balak in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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