Balaam must have been some fellow. They traveled 800 miles—twice—to acquire his services!
From the beginning of Numbers 22 to the end of the book, “the children of Israel…camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho” (Num 22:1). Enter “Balak the son of Zippor…king of the Moabites” (v 4). He had observed “all that Israel had done to the Amorites” (v 2), and his people were “sick with dread because of the children of Israel” (v 3). Remember that the Moabites were kin to the Israelites, being the people that descended from the offspring of Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his firstborn daughter. Likely Moses had no intention of leading Israel into battle against Moab. They seemed poised to cross over into Canaan. Obviously, they were encamped there for some time, because Balak had time to effectuate his plan. He sent some dignitaries on a 400-mile journey to far-off Pethor on the banks of the Euphrates River. They pled with the famous wise man, Balaam, “Please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed” (22:6). But it wasn’t that simple. As Balaam considered the offer overnight, he was visited by the God of Israel. “You shall not go with them,” the Lord said. “You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (v 12). When Balaam relayed the message to the Moabites, they headed back to Balak with the refusal. But Balak wouldn’t accept this and sent another entourage of “princes, more numerous and more honorable than they” (v 15). This time, the Lord said Balaam could go, but only to say what the Lord told him. Remarkable, isn’t it? Fear not! Even the world’s dark forces are subject to our God!