Numbers 23:29

Numbers 23:29 records Balak's persistent attempt to have Balaam curse the Israelites, despite two previous failures. After Balaam's second oracle unexpectedly resulted in a blessing for Israel, Balak, the king of Moab, instructs Balaam to try again from a different location.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in Numbers chapters 22-24, detailing the account of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet or diviner, hired by Balak, the king of Moab. Balak feared the vast numbers of the Israelite encampment as they journeyed through the wilderness and sought to have them cursed. In Numbers 23:1-2, Balaam had already instructed Balak to build seven altars and offer seven bullocks and seven rams, which resulted in a blessing. After the second attempt in Numbers 23:14-15, where Balak moved Balaam to a different vantage point, the outcome was still a blessing for Israel (Numbers 23:20). Frustrated but undeterred, Balak insists on a third attempt, which leads to this instruction from Balaam.

Key Themes

• Persistent Opposition: Balak's repeated efforts highlight human persistence in opposing God's will, even after clear signs of divine intervention. His refusal to accept God's protective hand over Israel is a central theme.
• Pagan Rituals and Superstition: The instruction to build "seven altars" and offer "seven bullocks and seven rams" reflects common pagan practices of the ancient Near East, where specific numbers and elaborate sacrifices were believed to manipulate divine forces. This stands in stark contrast to the singular, unchangeable word of God.
• Futility of Resisting God: Despite the elaborate preparations and multiple attempts, the narrative consistently demonstrates the ultimate futility of human schemes when they stand against the sovereign plan of God. No amount of ritual or divination could alter God's blessing upon His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of the number "seven" (Hebrew: sheba) is significant. In biblical numerology, seven often symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Here, however, it is employed by a pagan diviner in an attempt to achieve a magical or spiritual outcome, highlighting the misuse of a number often associated with God's work (e.g., seven days of creation, seven-branched menorah). The "altars" (Hebrew: mizbeah) were places of sacrifice, common in both Israelite and pagan worship, but the intent and recipient of the sacrifice differed drastically.

Practical Application

Numbers 23:29 serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans and purposes cannot be thwarted by human manipulation or opposition. It encourages believers to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness and protection, even when facing formidable adversaries or persistent attempts to undermine His work. Just as God turned Balaam's curses into blessings for Israel, He remains sovereign over all circumstances. This passage also cautions against relying on superstitious practices or elaborate rituals to achieve spiritual ends, emphasizing instead the importance of a genuine relationship with God and obedience to His revealed will, as seen in Balaam's own declaration that God is not a man that He should lie.