Balak

Balak (Hebrew: בָּלָק Bālāq) was a king of Moab described in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible, where his dealings with the prophet and Midianite sorcerer Balaam are recounted. Balak tried to engage Balaam for the purpose of cursing the migrating Israelites. The story of Balak is detailed in Numbers 22–24, Judges 11:25, and Micah 6:5. According to Numbers 22:2, and Joshua 24:9, Balak was the son of Zippor. In the chapter of Numbers preceding the introduction of Balak, the Israelites, seeking the Promised Land following their Exodus from Egypt, had defeated the Canaanites at a place named Hormah, as well as the Amorites and the people of Bashan, and next approached Moab. The biblical narrative stresses the fears of the people of Moab, who were 'exceedingly afraid' and 'sick with dread' (NKJV) or 'terrified' (GNT). Their fears appear to relate to the size of the Israelite population and the consequent resource depletion which could be expected if they were permitted to occupy Moabite land. Balak initially conferred with his Midianite allies in order to block Israelite settlement, before sending his elders (and Midianite elders) to seek Balaam's curse on them. Balak sent messengers to Balaam to ask him to come curse the Israelites for them. But, when Balaam consulted God, God told him he musn't go for the people of Israel are a blessed people. Balak again sent messengers more distinguished and more numerous this time with promises of even more gold and silver then before. God tells Balaam he can go but to only do as He commands. As Balaam sets out to Moab God is angry and sends an angel to block his way. On his journey to meet the princes of Moab, the angel of the Lord blocks Balaam's path three times causing his...