Answers to March 6 Questions

Who was king of Moab? Balak

Whom did he hire to curse Israel? Balaam

What did he offer to pay? The usual diviner’s fee

What was Balaam’s answer? Stay the night, and he would tell them God’s answer

What did God tell Balaam? Do not go with them to curse them because Israel is blessed

What did the Moabites and Midianites do then? They sent more important dignitaries and promised to greatly honor (reward) Balaam

What was Balaam’s response this time? Even if Balak was to give his entire house full of silver and gold, he could not go beyond the word of the Lord.

That should have ended the discussion, but Balaam went on to say that he would ask God and see what God would say. It is evident that Balaam was not satisfied with God’s answer though he gave lip service to respecting God’s word. God had already expressed His will to Balaam concerning Israel that they are blessed and not to be cursed

What did God tell Balaam to do? If the men want him to go with them, then go ahead and go with them, but he would only be able to speak the words that God gives him

This does not mean that God changed His mind. It means that He uses Balaam’s obstinacy to bless Israel as the next two chapters explain

Who blocked Balaam’s way to fulfill his task? The Angel of the Lord

With whom did Balaam become upset three times? His donkey

What did she have to say about Balaam’s treatment of her? He should consider that fact that her behavior was not normal and change his behavior

How many altars and sacrifices did the Moabites have to offer? Seven altars and seven bulls and seven rams

What did Balaam say about cursing Israel when he “prophesied” about Israel? How can I curse those that God has not cursed

What was Balak’s reaction? He was angry that Balaam blessed them instead of curse them

What did they try next? Go to a different place overlooking the camp of the Israelites to offer sacrifices and curse Israel

What did Balaam say about God’s character in the second oracle? God doesn’t change His mind; sorcery can’t work against him (which is what Balaam was attempting)

What did Balak tell Balaam to do after the second oracle? Just to shut up and not say anything

What did they try next? Balak persists on trying the same thing somewhere else as though it might work; he obviously paid no attention to the first two oracles

What was different about this prophecy? He didn’t use sorcery but just looked to the wilderness; the Spirit came upon him

What is the significance of the last line of the third oracle? Balak is cursed because he was wanting Israel cursed

What did Balak tell Balaam after the third oracle? He reminded him that he could not say anything different than what God gave him, and he was going back home

What was the fourth oracle about? What would happen to their nations in the future, especially Israel over Moab

What would happen? Israel would have a king that would subdue Moab. The ultimate fulfillment is in Christ over the nations through His spiritual kingdom the church and His spiritual law the gospel.