Study Desk

But the Israelites slaughtered them with their swords and occupied their land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. They went only as far as the Ammonite border because the boundary of the Ammonites was fortified.

Then they turned and marched up the road to Bashan, but King Og of Bashan and all his people attacked them at Edrei.

But God told Balaam, "Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!"

But Balaam responded to Balak's messengers, "Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God.

But stay here one more night, and I will see if the Lord has anything else to say to me."

That night God came to Balaam and told him, "Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do."

But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along,

Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road.

"But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?" "No," Balaam admitted.

But the angel of the Lord told Balaam, "Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say." So Balaam went on with Balak's officials.

Balaam replied, "Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth."

But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned?

But Balaam replied, "I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth."

Then King Balak told him, "Come with me to another place. There you will see another part of the nation of Israel, but not all of them. Curse at least that many!"

Then Balak said to Balaam, "Fine, but if you won't curse them, at least don't bless them!"

But Balaam replied to Balak, "Didn't I tell you that I can do only what the Lord tells me?"

Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you from your reward."

Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future."

I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab's people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.

Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: "Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!"