WHEN BALAK HEARD that Balaam was coming, he went to meet him at Ar, a city on the Arnon River at the border of Moab. Balak said to him, “Why didn’t you come when I sent for the first time? Did you think I wasn’t able to reward you enough?”
Balaam answered, “I came, didn’t I? But now, what power do I have? I can say only what God tells me to say.” So, Balaam went with Balak to the town of Huzoth, where Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep and gave some of the meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him.
The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, from there Balaam could see a prat of the people of Israel.
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here … while I go to see whether or not the LORD will meet me. I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.’ So, he went alone to the top of the hill, and God met him ….
The LORD told Balaam what to say and sent him back to Balak to give him his message. So, he went back and found Balak ….
Balaam uttered this prophecy:
“Balak king of Moab has brought me from Syria, from the eastern mountains.
‘Come speak for me,’ he said.
‘Put a curse on the people of Israel.’
How can I curse what God has not cursed,
Or speak of doom when the LORD has not?
From the high rocks I can see them;
I can watch them from the hills.
They are a nation that lives alone;
They know they are blessed more than other nations.
The descendants of Israel are like the dust—
There are too many of them to be counted.
Let me end my days like one of God’s people;
Let me die in peace like the righteous.”
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but all you have done is bless them”
He answered, “I can say only what the LORD tells me to say.”
Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me to another place from which you can see only some of the Israelites. Curse them for me from there.” He took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Mount Pisgah ….
Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here … and I will meet God over there.”
The LORD met Balaam, told him what to say, and sent him back to Balak to give him his message. So, he went back and found Balak … with the leaders of Moab. Balak asked what the LORD had said, and Balaam uttered this prophecy:
“Come, Balak son of Zippor,
And listen to what I have to say.
God is not like men, who like;
He is not a human who changes his mind.
Whatever he promises, he does;
He speaks, and it is done.
I have been instructed to bless,
And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.
I foresee that Israel’s future
Will bring her no misfortune or trouble.
The LORD their God is with them;
They proclaim that he is their king.
God has brought them out of Egypt;
He fights for them like a wild ox.
There is no magic charm, no witchcraft,
That can be used against the nation of Israel.
Now people will say about Israel,
‘Look what God has done!’
The nation of Israel is like a mighty lion ….
Then Balak said to Balaam, “You refuse to curse the people of Israel, but at least don’t bless them!”
Balaam answered, “Didn’t I tell you that I had to do everything that the LORD told me?