Study Desk

The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were approaching on the road through Atharim. So he attacked the Israelites and took some of them as prisoners.

So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died.

Then the people came to Moses and cried out, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes." So Moses prayed for the people.

So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!

So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them, including the city of Heshbon and its surrounding villages.

So the people of Israel occupied the territory of the Amorites.

The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This mob will devour everything in sight, like an ox devours grass in the field!" So Balak, king of Moab,

"Stay here overnight," Balaam said. "In the morning I will tell you whatever the Lord directs me to say." So the officials from Moab stayed there with Balaam.

So the Moabite officials returned to King Balak and reported, "Balaam refused to come with us."

So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials.

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,

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord , it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again.

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.

Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the Lord will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me." So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill,

So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab.

So Balak took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak. He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.

So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab. "What did the Lord say?" Balak asked eagerly.

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

So Balak did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.