How did the Israelites join themselves to Baal-Peor? With all of Jehovah’s warnings and Moses leadership, what or who tempted them to disobey? Let us discover together how this all came about.
Numbers 22:1 Then the sons of Israel journeyed, and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho. 22:2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 22:3 So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel.
Why was Balak so fearful?
Numbers 21:3 The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Thus the name of the place was called Hormah.
21:23 But Sihon would not permit Israel to pass through his border. So Sihon gathered all his people and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. Numbers 21:24 Then Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the sons of Ammon; for the border of the sons of Ammon was Jazer. 21:25 Israel took all these cities and Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all her villages.
Numbers 21:33 Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan, and Og the king of Bashan went out with all his people, for battle at Edrei. 21:34 But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." 21:35 So they killed him and his sons and all his people, until there was no remnant left him; and they possessed his land.
Balak had heard and seen the military success and might of the Israelites. He felt he would be next and believed that he would suffer the same fate.
22:4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
22:5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. 22:6 "Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
Interestingly, Balak knew alot about Balaam. He knew where he lived. He knew what he had done. He believed in his power to curse and contain Israel. He also knew what the fees should have been.
22:7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him.
22:8 He said to them, "Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the LORD may speak to me." And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam.
Balak sent a dignified group with the fees for divination. Let us not dismiss this power of divination. Satan does have enormous power to produce signs and wonders. There is a real spiritual danger in this witchcraft and Jehovah detests it and forbids it.
Deuteronomy 18:9 "When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
18:10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 18:11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
18:12 "For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. 18:13 "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
18:14 "For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.
Clearly the nations around them did indeed practice such detestable things. Also, it is equally clear that Jehovah condemns them.
22:9 Then God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men with you?" 22:10 Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, 22:11 'Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.'"
This is a very confusing and disturbing passage. Here we read that Jehovah did indeed talk with Balaam, an evil, false prophet and diviner of spirits. Balaam knew enough about Jehovah to petition Him. He may have once believed in Him as the one and only GOD. But, clearly as we see though out this story, Balaam only truly considered Jehovah one of many gods.
22:12 God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." 22:13 So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."
Jehovah spoke to Balaam and he did exactly as he was told. He obeyed, at least for the moment.
22:14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."
So the entourage returned to king Balak and told him the bad news. Kings are not accustomed to being refused.
More next Saturday.