# Numbers 22-24: Balaam

### Introduction

- Satan sought a new way to fight against the people of God... not through armies and leaders, but by a curse

### Balak Sends for Balaam

- Seeing all the danger around him, instead of preparing for war and for battle, Balak king of Moab sent for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites.
- Who is Balaam? 
    - Does not belong to the people of God
    - He was a magician or diviner and God used him for His divine mission and purpose 
        - St Gregory of Nyssa believes that Balaam was using satanic power, but God was showing the inability of Satan to harm His children; that if Satan intends to curse, he is committed to bless.
        - Origen believes Balaam was a magician using Satan's power, but God intervened because of His love for Israel
    - Revelation 2:14 "who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication"
- God speaks to Balaam and commands him 
    - Balaam even replies "the Lord my God"

### Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel

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### Balaam's First Prophecy

- Speaks of the incarnation

### Balaam's Second Prophecy

- Speaks of the passions and Resurrection

### Balaam's Third Prophecy

- Speaks of the Day of Pentecost

### Balaam Foretells Israel's Happiness

### Balaam's Fourth Prophecy