Brian Maloy

Last week, we were in Chapter 20, confronted with the distrust of the Hebrews, and the exasperation of Moses. We can certainly, and sadly relate to both of those sinful paths. Nevertheless, as we pick up this week in Numbers 22, it’s helpful as always to consider what context happened between. 

Context

We left Chapter 20 with Moses providing water for the people, but learning he would not enter the Promised Land because of his angry response. 

In Num. 20:14-22, despite trying to pass through Edom correctly, imploring them to help, they are denied passage — aggressively. 

Then in Num. 20:23-29, Aaron is stripped of his priestly garments, and they are placed on his son Eleazar. Then all of Aaron’s people are gathered to him, and Aaron dies on top of Mt. Hor — with the house of Israel in mourning for 30 days.

Num. 21, we start to see some destruction Canaanite cities!

1. Victory Over the Canaanites (vv. 1–3)

• The king of Arad attacks Israel and takes captives.
• Israel vows to God: if He grants victory, they’ll devote the cities to destruction.
• God honors the vow, and Israel defeats Arad, naming the place Hormah (“devoted to destruction”).

2. The Bronze Serpent (vv. 4–9)

• The people grow impatient and complain about the wilderness, food, and water.
• God sends fiery serpents (venomous snakes) as judgment; many die.
• The people repent and ask Moses to intercede.
• God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole—anyone bitten who looks at it will live.
• This moment becomes a powerful symbol of healing through faith, later referenced by Jesus in John 3:14–15.

3. Journey Through the Wilderness (vv. 10–20)

• Israel travels through several locations: Oboth, Iye Abarim, Zered Valley, Arnon River.
• At Beer, God provides water, and the people sing “Spring up, O well!” — a rare moment of joyful worship.

4. Conquest of Sihon, King of the Amorites (vv. 21–30)

• Israel requests peaceful passage through Amorite territory.
• Sihon refuses and attacks.
• Israel defeats him, takes his land, and settles in his cities.
• A poetic victory song celebrates the conquest.

5. Defeat of Og, King of Bashan (vv. 31–35)

• Og confronts Israel at Edrei.
• God assures Moses of victory.
• Israel defeats Og and his people—“until he had no survivors left.”

Key Themes:

• Repentance leads to healing: The bronze serpent is a vivid image of grace after judgment.
• God’s provision is constant, even amid complaints and rebellion.
• Victory comes through obedience and trust, not military might alone.
• Foreshadowing of Christ: The bronze serpent lifted up parallels Jesus being lifted on the cross for healing and salvation.

Narrative of Numbers 22

There is much that happens before our lesson opens in Num. 22:22, so I would implore you to go read ALL of 22, before looking at my notes, because rather than overdoing it on recap (which I certainly lean toward already), it’s best to just go read. I’ll place a link below.

Go READ Numbers 22

God Speaking (Numbers 22:22)

Balaam clearly is hearing from Yahweh as we read in Numbers 22, which is such an interesting thing on many levels. But regardless of that, have you ever heard the voice of God? I haven’t, not audibly anyway — to my knowledge. But have you felt certain He was speaking to you? I have. I am confident. I am confident because He reminded me in moments of doubt, in conversation, of Biblical truths I know, but needed to be reminded of. 

That said, I think it’s wise to be cautious when someone claims to “speak for God” — doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, of course not! But I think this is the danger of some Christians, believing they have a “special word from God” that is not validated by Scripture. God certainly gifts people in the ability to speak His Word to others, connecting the dots, bringing wisdom and truth — but it is either directly God’s Word, or supported clearly by the Word, not rogue. 

Likewise, there are other ways God speaks to us.

• Obviously… Bible reading, the most concentrated way God speaks to us.
• Spirit-led conviction, applying Scripture to our lives, helping us to discern.
• Faithful preaching & teaching — expository teaching is enormously important, allowing God’s Word to speak for itself, but being rightly spoken and divided. 
• Wise counsel and community — God often uses loving friends and family to speak truth into our lives, and thank the Lord for that!

In all of this, we know the importance of Sola Scriptura: 

• The Bible is the final, sufficient, and authoritative revelation of God’s will.
• Hebrews 1:1–2 affirms that while God spoke in various ways in the past, “in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”
• Jesus Himself consistently pointed people to Scripture—even post-resurrection (Luke 24:27).

The Difficulty of Obeying and Walking in Faith

In Num 22:22-27 we really see some hard obstacles arise. Of course everyone can relate to that. Regardless of the size of the obstacle, rarely are we thrilled when they come our way. Some of us are better at handling setbacks than others — but I only know a few people who “enjoy” them. 

But in Balaam’s story we see God setting him on a path, allowing him to go to Balek, the king of the Moabites. BUT then sends His angel to stop him… This took me a minute to figure out (mercifully good commentaries help). Yahweh is angry with Balaam, and when we dig deeper, we see it is because outwardly Balaam is obeying God, but internally he is chasing reward and prestige. His internal and external congruence were off big time. So God set motions in action to halt him, get his attention. God’s permission wasn’t approval. It was a test of Balaam’s heart, which leaned toward self-interest. I hate to say, I can also relate to this.

Knowing the spiritual obstacles most likely to blind us to God’s plans is really important. But also, think about the times God lets us set out on a path, knowing He is going to change it along the way. 

God definitely allows movement in order to expose our motives. Not only can God use that to test our hearts — but in the end, I think it also helps us see where we are blind, revealing those blind spots.

We see this over and over (not just Num. 22), that God tests the heart through the journey, and it helps us understand what obedience truly means. God could have stopped Balaam outright, but instead He used the journey to teach, correct, and redirect.  In our lives too, detours often become the very places where God speaks most clearly. After all, spiritual blind spots are often revealed in motion.

Think of Abraham heading toward Moriah, or Jonah toward Tarshish, sometimes God uses the journey as part of the shaping. The journey is really important, we’ve all heard those adages, to enjoy the journey — it’s true! 

In the end though, God’s “yes” may be provisional, designed to expose a deeper “no” or a better “wait.” But we have to learn to see, we need the Spirit to expose our blindness — after all, it’s called blindness because we are indeed, blind to it.

So take some time – Balaam was enticed by reward and prestige (like we too can be), but pray about it, what else is likely to cause a spiritual blind spot for you?

Some Ideas (relatable for myself):

• Desire for Recognition or Prestige
• Impatience with God’s Timing
• Overconfidence in Personal Wisdom
• Fear of Discomfort or Loss
• People-Pleasing
• Idolatry of Productivity or Results
• Selective Listening to Scripture
• Intellectual Pride
• Unexamined Traditions or Assumptions
• Assuming Maturity Equals Immunity From Spiritual Disciplines

Listening and Seeing

Often unusual experiences (good and bad) lead us to seek God more purposefully. 

Sometimes it’s tragedy, sometimes it’s great relief, or good news in a long waited season, sometimes major life transitions, seasons of waiting, theological struggles, isolation, sudden opportunity, failure, conflict, or even seasons of spiritual apathy.

Regardless of what it is, those things tend to awaken a desire within us to seek the Lord differently, more fervently than we did before. 

But when we look at the story of Balaam and his sweet donkey, I think a natural “wonder” for me is: Gosh, how can I avoid falling into the same trap? How can I remain sensitive to the Lord’s leading? How can I better see what the Lord is doing around me? 

My Thoughts: (none ground-breaking, but maybe helpful)

1. Make sure the inside dialogue matches the outside actions.
   • The Lord weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2).
2. Invite the Spirit to search us.
   • Search me, O God (Psalm 139:23-24).
3. Stay rooted in the Word.
   • Your Word is a lame unto my feet (Psalm 119:105)
4. Slow down when you feel rushed.
   • Whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way (Pr. 19:2)
5. Surround yourself with truth-tellers.
   • Faithful are the wounds of a friend (Prov. 27:6)
6. Watch for divine interruptions.
   • Num. 22:22-27, Acts 16:6-7, Gen. 50:20

Practically Speaking:

• Surrender
• Listen more than speak
• Remember God’s faithfulness
• Respond to conviction
• Ask better questions
• Look for fruit 

Living in God’s Rhythms

In this story of Balaam, we are confronted with a pagan man God chooses to use, who very clearly is not living in the rhythms and plans God had for him. 

Obviously it is a cautionary tale, it shows us how not to obey, struggles of the internal and external life, even the way we own our faults, certainly to search out our blindspots — and learn to walk in God’s plans better. 

But look at the real benefit of a life lived in God’s plans, His rhythm, His order… We gain SO much, and even more beautifully, while it benefits us, it really benefits those around us, the church, and the Kingdom — what a miraculous blessing. 

1. Spiritual Growth/Maturity (Rom. 8:28)
2. Peace (Pr. 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:3)
3. Purpose (Eph. 2:10)
4. Fruitfulness (John 15, Gal. 5:22-23)
5. Wisdom/Discernment (Ps. 32:8, Jam. 1:5)
6. Living in the light (John 12:46)

We truly gain so much of what we all actually LONG for, perhaps because we were created for just that. 

So what is stopping you, where are your blind spots, keeping you from living in God’s order, walking in His paths? Are you willing to do the searching to figure it out?  Is the benefit worth the cost? I certainly think it is. 

And in trust, obedience, and surrender — we gain the life we long for, rooted firmly in the God who made us and knows us. What a gift.