“When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. Balak said to Balaam, ‘Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?'”-Numbers 22:36-37
We continue on with our study of Balaam and how King Balak of Moab was doing everything he possibly could to ensure that this famous Mesopotamian magician would curse Israel.
In fact, Balak was so excited to have Balaam curse Israel, we’re told he rode out to the northern border of Moab to welcome Balaam to his country.
Let’s pay close attention to many of the details in this story because they reflect the way ancient Middle Easterners thought at the time.
When Balak meets Balaam, he asks why it took so long for him to consider his offer and if he was maybe worried whether he would actually get paid or not.
Balaam responds by saying ““Well, I have come to you now, but I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”
Not one to be deterred, King Balak pulls out all the stops and holds a huge banquet for Balaam.
At this point in the story, it should be quite apparent that Balak really wanted Balaam to curse Israel.
There’s something we shouldn’t overlook here.
The people of this ancient era really believed that if a sorcerer agreed to curse someone and he did it, there was no doubt that the curse would achieve its intended effect.
Both the one doing the cursing and the one being cursed really believed this.
This was SERIOUS BUSINESS.
Balak had no doubt that if Balaam cursed Israel, the Hebrew nation would be doomed.
The only thing Balak was worried about was whether Balaam would agree to do it or not.
Typical of the Middle Eastern mind at the time, he figured Balaam’s reluctance up to this point was just a negotiation ploy to attempt to get as much money as he could.
After the regal protocol of wining and dining his new guest, Balak next took Balaam up to a high hill overlooking the whole Israel encampment.
The high place they arrived at was called BAMOTH-BA’AL.
This would literally translate to mean “the altar of Baal” or “the high place of Baal“.
This is another important detail that reflects the belief system of the people in those times.
In order for a curse to be effective, it was believed that the person or object being cursed had to be in full view of the one doing the cursing or the curse would NOT be effective.
That’s why Balaam had to travel all the way up to Moab in the first place.
He couldn’t just perform a curse from his hometown.
Otherwise, Balak’s men would have simply loaded up their animals with a bunch of gold and silver, travelled up Balaam’s home in Carchemish, pay him and be done with it.
NEXT TIME WE BEGIN NUMBERS CHAPTER 23
Thank you for giving the context to this passage. Balaam’s story is an interesting story and understanding the piece about the high place helps bring a better understanding.
Thanks for reading! Be blessed and shalom!
Why was God giving importance to Balams curse ? Would it really have affect on the Israelites ;had he cursed them? I do not think so ,cause no mans curse can overshadow the covenant of God with His people ;but only my doubt is why was God even concerned about Balaam a simple sorcerer?