Numbers 24 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Numbers 24 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• These events occurred towards the end of the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Balak – Son of Zippor, he was the king of Moab.

• Balaam – Son of Beor, he was from Pethor of Mesopotamia (Deu 23:4) and a practitioner of divination (Jos 13:22):

WHERE:

• The Israelites were camped on the border of the Amorites and Moabites near Pisgah (21:20; 23:14).

OUTLINE:

• BALAAM’S THIRD DISCOURSE CONTINUED (24:1-13):

  • In chapter 23, Balak tried to get Balaam to curse Israel twice, but God gave Balaam a blessing rather than a curse.

  • Chapter 24 opens in the middle of Balak’s third attempt.

  • Balak built 7 altars and sacrificed 7 rams and 7 bulls (23:29-30).

  • When this was complete, the Spirit of God came on Balaam and he began his 3rd discourse, a 3rd consecutive blessing for the Israelites.

  • He said the kingdom of Israel would be exalted because God was on their side.

  • They would defeat their enemies and the Lord would bless those who blessed them.

  • Balak was very angry and told Balaam he would not reward him as he had promised. 

  • Once again, Balaam reminded the king he was only allowed to speak the words God put in his mouth.

• BALAAM’S FINAL PROPHETIC DISCOURSE (24:14-25):

  • Before leaving Balak, Balaam prophesied about the fate of the Midianites, Moabites, and Israelites.

  • He prophesied a star and a scepter would rise out of Israel and they would crush Moab.

  • He went on to announce future judgment on the sons of Sheth, the Edomites, the Amalekites, the Kenites, and the people of Eber.

  • After finishing his message from God, Balaam and Balak parted ways.

APPLICATION:

• God can use men with corrupt hearts to complete His will.

• This text can leave the reader with the impression that Balaam was a faithful man of God, but Balaam didn’t retain that reputation. In 2 Peter 2:15, the Apostle Peter tells us Balaam loved “gain from wrongdoing,” and Revelation 2:14 tells us Balaam taught Balak to put a stumbling block in front of the Israelites. It appears Balaam found another way to help king Balak even though God forbid him to curse Israel. In Numbers 31:16, Moses said Balaam advised Balak to get the Midianite women to seduce Israel into idolatry and worship of false Gods (Num 25). God punished Israel, the people of Midian, and Balaam for their immorality.

• Balaam played a role in God’s larger story, as did other wicked men like Pharaoh and Judas Iscariot.

• Wicked men don’t thwart God’s plans.

• We should ally with God and serve Him willingly, but if we refuse, He can still use us for His glory.

DIAGRAM OF THE CAMP OF ISRAEL:

DIAGRAM OF THE TABERNACLE: