Study Desk

They began complaining against God and Moses. The people said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? We will die here in the desert! There is no bread and no water! And we hate this terrible food!"

God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

Balaam said to God, "The king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, sent them to give me a message.

But God said to Balaam, "Don't go with them. You must not curse those people. They are my people."

Balaam gave Balak's officials his answer. He said, "I must obey the Lord my God. I cannot do anything, great or small, against his command. Even if King Balak gives me his beautiful home filled with silver and gold, I will not do anything against the Lord's command.

That night, God came to Balaam. God said, "These men have come again to ask you to go with them. So you can go with them. But do only what I tell you to do."

Balaam was riding on his donkey. Two of his servants were with him. While Balaam was traveling, God became angry. So the Lord 's angel stood in the road in front of Balaam to stop him.

Balaam answered, "Well, I am here now. I came, but I might not be able to do what you asked. I can only say the words God tells me to say."

God came to Balaam at that place, and Balaam said, "I have prepared seven altars. And I have killed a bull and a ram as a sacrifice on each altar."

But God is not against them, so I cannot speak against them either! The Lord has not asked for bad things to happen to these people. So I cannot do that either.

Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stay here by this altar while I go meet with God over there."

God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.

God saw no wrong in Jacob's people. He saw no sin in the Israelites. The Lord is their God, and he is with them. The Great King is with them!

God brought them out of Egypt. They are as strong as a wild ox.

There is no power that can defeat the people of Jacob. There is no magic that can stop the Israelites. People will say this about Jacob and the Israelites: ‘Look at the great things God did!'

Then Balak said to Balaam, "So come with me to another place. Maybe God will be pleased and will allow you to curse them from that place."

He looked out across the desert and saw all the Israelites. They were camped with the tribes in their different areas. Then the Spirit of God came on him,

These are the words I heard from God. I saw what God All-Powerful showed me. I humbly tell what I clearly see.

"God brought them out of Egypt. They are as strong as a wild ox. They will defeat all their enemies. They will break their bones and shatter their arrows.

I heard this message from God. I learned what God Most High taught me. I saw what God All-Powerful showed me. I humbly tell what I clearly see.