Numbers 23: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 23 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Balaam instructed Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for offerings (vv. 1-2). After the preparations, Balaam went to a bare height to meet God, who put a word in his mouth (vv.

Key verse

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?”
Numbers 23:19 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 23:1–2 Balaam's Preparation for Cursing
Numbers 23:3–6 God's Meeting with Balaam
Numbers 23:7–12 First Oracle: Blessing instead of Cursing
Numbers 23:13–19 Balak's Frustration and Balaam's Response
Numbers 23:20–24 Second Oracle: Israel's Strength
Numbers 23:25–30 Balak's Continued Requests

Discussion questions

In v2, what did Balak offer on every altar?
In v20, what does Balaam say about God's blessing?
Balaam's repeated compliance, vv. 26-27: what does this suggest about his understanding of God's will?
Balak asking Balaam to curse Israel in v13: what does this tell us about his strategy?
When have you found yourself caught between your intentions and what God seems to want as Balaam does in v12?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 23: Matthew 24, Malachi 3, Numbers 22.

Before next time: read Numbers 24.