Numbers 23:3
And Balaam said vnto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offring, and I wil goe: peraduenture the Lord will come to meete mee; and whatsoeuer he sheweth me, I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. Numbers 23:3 (KJV)
The book of Numbers recounts the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. During this time, they faced various challenges and encountered different nations. In Numbers 22, we learn that the Israelites had camped in the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan River from Jericho. Balak, the king of Moab, feared the Israelites’ presence and sought to curse them. He sent messengers to a diviner named Balaam, asking him to come and curse the Israelites.
This statement reflects Balaam’s willingness to approach the Lord, though the exact wording is not found verbatim in the Masoretic Text; a closely related passage occurs in Numbers 22:20‑21, where Balaam tells Balak that he will go to a prepared place and the LORD may meet him.
Balaam’s Response: In Numbers 23:3, we find Balaam’s response to Balak’s request. After Balak had prepared the burnt offering as instructed in Numbers 23:1, Balaam told Balak to stand by it while he went to seek the Lord. He stated that whatever the Lord revealed to him, he would convey to Balak. In Numbers 22:20‑21, Balaam replies to Balak’s request. He asks Balak to prepare a burnt offering and stand by it, expressing that the LORD might meet him there. Balaam says that whatever the LORD reveals, he will convey to Balak.
The High Place: Balaam then proceeded to go to a high place. In ancient times, high places were often elevated locations, such as hills or mountains, where people would go to seek spiritual encounters or make sacrifices. Balaam sought a place where he could meet with God and receive a divine message.
The overall significance of this passage lies in Balaam’s desire to seek God’s will and follow His instructions. Balaam recognized the possibility of encountering the Lord and being given a message, which he intended to faithfully relay to Balak. It demonstrates Balaam’s acknowledgment of the sovereignty and authority of God.
However, it is important to note that Balaam’s motives and actions are further explored in subsequent verses. Despite his initial intention to obey God’s instructions, Balaam later succumbs to greed and attempts to curse the Israelites for personal gain. This leads to his eventual confrontation with a talking donkey and his encounter with the angel of the Lord (Numbers 22-24). Although Balaam initially intends to obey God’s instructions, later narratives show that he is tempted by the prospect of reward. Nevertheless, the biblical account records that Balaam never curses Israel; instead, God repeatedly causes him to pronounce blessings over the people, preventing any attempt to utter a curse.
Overall, Numbers 23:3 emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance, waiting for His direction, and being open to His revelation. It also serves as a cautionary example of how even individuals with good intentions can be swayed by personal desires if they do not remain steadfast in their devotion to God.
