NUMBERS CHAPTERS 22-25 “Israel must learn that the heathen nations were not only hostile political powers, opposing their progress, but that heathenism itself was in its nature antagonistic to the kingdom of God. The two were incompatible, and therefore no alliance could ever be formed with heathenism” 1 The same is true today, friendship with the world, loving the world, or conforming to the world, cannot be tolerated (1 John 2:15-16; Romans 12:1-2).
Chapter 22 22:1 “in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho”-“With the decisive victories over Sihon and over Og, all who could have barred access to the Land of Promise had been either left behind, or else scattered and defeated…Their tents were pitched in the rich meadow-land, watered by many streams, which rush down from the neighboring mountains…..it might have seemed as if the lion of Judah were couching ready for his spring on the prey” (Edersheim p. 12). 22:2 “Balak” (BAY lack), a name which means destroyer. “Zippor”-(ZIP or). He was the king of the Moabites. Balak had seen how Israel had destroyed the armies of both Sihon and Og. Military might had been tried against Israel and miserably failed! “The Amorites, who had been able to wrest from Moab all the land north of the Arnon, had boldly marched against Israel under the leadership of Sihon their king, and been not only defeated but almost exterminated” (Edersheim p. 13). 22:3 “Moab was in great fear”-But in reality Moab didn’t have anything to fear. God had made it clear to Israel, that Moab (the descendants of Lot and thus related to Israel) were to be left alone (Deut. 2:9). Let no man say that ignorance is bliss! Oh, how much pain and suffering could be avoided if Balak would have simply asked Moses what were the intentions of Israel! Note the irony, Balak was fearful of Israel, but not fearful enough to avoid trying to have them cursed. 1
Old Testament Bible History, Alfred Edersheim, p. 11 1