Numbers 22:9

“And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?”

Context: The book of Numbers is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah or the Books of Moses. It recounts the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land. In Numbers 22, the Israelites were camped in the plains of Moab, and Balak, the king of Moab, became fearful of the Israelites’ growing presence. Balak sought to hire Balaam, a diviner, to curse the Israelites.

Balaam and Balak: Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet who had a reputation for his divination skills. Balak, fearing the Israelites, wanted Balaam to curse them so that he could weaken their power. However, Balaam could only speak the words that God put in his mouth.

God’s Intervention: In verse 9, we see that God came to Balaam and asked him about the men who were with him. This intervention is significant because it demonstrates God’s involvement in the affairs of His people. God’s presence and inquiry serve as a reminder that Balaam’s actions would be subject to God’s will.

God’s Awareness: God’s question to Balaam about the men with him indicates His omniscience and knowledge of all things. Although God already knew the answer, He engaged Balaam in conversation to bring attention to the people he was associating with. This encounter foreshadows the subsequent events in the narrative.

Application: The passage invites us to consider the significance of God’s awareness of our surroundings and associations. As believers, we should be mindful of the company we keep and the influences in our lives. God knows our circumstances and desires to guide us in the right path. We should seek His wisdom and discernment to ensure that our relationships and associations align with His purposes.

Trusting God’s Guidance: Despite being a diviner, Balaam’s role in this story shows the limits of his powers. As we continue reading the narrative, we see that God directs Balaam not to curse the Israelites but to bless them instead. Balaam struggles with his own desires and the temptation of the king’s reward, but ultimately, he submits to God’s will. This emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s guidance and surrendering our own plans and ambitions to His greater purposes.

In conclusion, Numbers 22:9 highlights God’s intervention in Balaam’s life and His knowledge of the men accompanying him. It encourages us to be mindful of the people we associate with and reminds us to trust in God’s guidance and surrender our plans to His will.