Balak, whose name means Devastator, was the son of Zippor and king of Moab. Terrified of Israel, he and his people were sick with dread, though their fear was groundless, since God had told Israel to leave Moab alone. Acting on imagined threats, Balak allied with Midian's elders and, lacking a strong army, chose spiritual warfare. He hired Balaam, the most renowned curser of the day, from Pethor near the Euphrates, offering gold and honor. Balak had altars built and moved Balaam to Pisgah to view only part of Israel, but God would not be bribed, forced, or cajoled, and He turned the curse into blessing. Yet through Balaam's counsel, 24,000 Israelites died, snared by idolatry and sexual immorality. Also see sermons and articles about Balak.
Numbers 22:18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Numbers 22:5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!
Numbers 22:35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Numbers 22:38 And Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak."
Numbers 23:26 So Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you, saying, "All that the LORD speaks, that I must do"?"
Numbers 24:13 "If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak"?
Joshua 24:9-10 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. So I delivered you out of his hand.
