Balaam acknowledges God’s power but is caught between serving a pagan king and honoring the God of Israel.
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (Numbers 23:4). In this verse, we see that Balaam, a diviner active during the mid-15th century BC, orchestrates an elaborate ritual, building seven altars and presenting offerings upon them. The location here is in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River and just north of the Dead Sea, a region known for its rugged terrain and for being where the Israelites camped before entering the Promised Land. This encounter demonstrates the unfolding drama in which Balak, the king of Moab (likely ruling during the same general time period), urges Balaam to pronounce a curse upon Israel. Instead of pronouncing a curse independently, Balaam seeks to invoke divine interaction—his words show a measure of reverence and a desire for God’s guidance, though his intentions are molded by external pressure.
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (v.4). The verse reveals that God chooses to meet Balaam despite Balaam’s background as a non-Israelite prophet and his uneasy alliance with King Balak. It underscores the sovereignty of the Lord, reminding us that He can use even those outside of His chosen covenant community to fulfill His purposes. These altars and sacrifices highlight a ritualistic approach to secure divine favor or prophecy, but they also indicate Balaam’s attempt to communicate with the Lord on Balak’s behalf. In this context, sacrifice was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, yet genuine devotion matters more than ritualistic formality (as emphasized by Jesus in references such as Matthew 15:8-9).
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (v.4) ultimately underscores that God’s plan for blessing His people will not be thwarted by human schemes. Although Balaam has prepared sacrifices at Balak’s request, the Lord’s message will remain true to His covenant with Israel. This divine encounter foreshadows how Balaam’s attempts at cursing will be turned into blessings (Numbers 23:8).
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Numbers 23:4 meaning
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (Numbers 23:4). In this verse, we see that Balaam, a diviner active during the mid-15th century BC, orchestrates an elaborate ritual, building seven altars and presenting offerings upon them. The location here is in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River and just north of the Dead Sea, a region known for its rugged terrain and for being where the Israelites camped before entering the Promised Land. This encounter demonstrates the unfolding drama in which Balak, the king of Moab (likely ruling during the same general time period), urges Balaam to pronounce a curse upon Israel. Instead of pronouncing a curse independently, Balaam seeks to invoke divine interaction—his words show a measure of reverence and a desire for God’s guidance, though his intentions are molded by external pressure.
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (v.4). The verse reveals that God chooses to meet Balaam despite Balaam’s background as a non-Israelite prophet and his uneasy alliance with King Balak. It underscores the sovereignty of the Lord, reminding us that He can use even those outside of His chosen covenant community to fulfill His purposes. These altars and sacrifices highlight a ritualistic approach to secure divine favor or prophecy, but they also indicate Balaam’s attempt to communicate with the Lord on Balak’s behalf. In this context, sacrifice was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, yet genuine devotion matters more than ritualistic formality (as emphasized by Jesus in references such as Matthew 15:8-9).
God met Balaam, and Balaam said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” (v.4) ultimately underscores that God’s plan for blessing His people will not be thwarted by human schemes. Although Balaam has prepared sacrifices at Balak’s request, the Lord’s message will remain true to His covenant with Israel. This divine encounter foreshadows how Balaam’s attempts at cursing will be turned into blessings (Numbers 23:8).