Lesson 69

Numbers 22–36

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. One way you can prepare to be taught by the Holy Ghost is by showing reverence for God and the scriptures.

Begin your study with prayer.

Have you ever disregarded important counsel and later regretted it?

In the following video, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy tells of an experience he had as a young boy when he chose to disobey his parents. Pay attention to what he learned from his experience that can help you avoid making similar mistakes.

The Path Back to God

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are on a path that leads us back into the presence of God. What tactics does Satan use to entice us to get off that path?

As you study Numbers 22–36, look for some practices that can help you stay on the path back to God.

Balak and Balaam

In Numbers 22:1–11, we are introduced to Balak, the king of the Moabites, and Balaam, a prophet from Pethor. Balak and the people of Moab noticed the strength of the Israelites and were afraid. Balak sent messengers to offer Balaam rewards in exchange for cursing the Israelites. After hearing from the messengers, Balaam told them he would bring them the Lord’s answer.

Read Numbers 22:12–13, looking for what God told Balaam to not do.

According to verse 13, how did Balaam respond to the leaders Balak had sent?

Balak’s Methods

After Balaam refused to curse the Israelites, King Balak sent more messengers to try to convince him to curse them.

Read Numbers 22:15–17, looking for who King Balak sent to convince Balaam and what they offered him.

What truths can we learn from Balak’s methods about how the adversary entices us to sin?

The Adversary’s Methods

One truth we can identify from Numbers 22:15–17 is that the adversary sometimes uses promises of riches, popularity, and worldly status to entice us to commit sin.

1. How might the adversary use riches or popularity to distract us from the path God would have us follow?

Balaam’s Decision

Although Balaam had already received an answer from God, we learn in Numbers 22:18–19 that he wanted to ask again.

God’s response is recorded in verse 20. The Joseph Smith Translation changes the phrase “rise up, and go with them” in this verse to “rise up, if thou wilt go with them” (italics added). In other words, God was making Balaam responsible for his decision. He then told Balaam, “Yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do” (verse 20). (Note: This passage is in the complete Joseph Smith Translation and is not found in the selected Joseph Smith Translation passages included in the footnotes or the appendix of the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Bible.)

Read Numbers 22:21–22, looking for what Balaam decided to do and how God felt about this decision.

Balaam and His Donkey

Numbers 22:23–27 explains that Balaam was traveling on his donkey when an angel holding a sword appeared before them. Balaam did not see the angel, but his donkey did, and it tried to avoid the angel. Angered by the donkey’s behavior, Balaam hit the donkey.

Read Numbers 22:28–34, looking for how Balaam was made aware of the imminent danger.

Quiz 1

Answer the following questions:

1. According to verse 28, what did the donkey do?

   1. The donkey ran away.

   2. The donkey kicked Balaam.

   3. The donkey asked Balaam why he had hit her.

2. According to verse 31, how was Balaam made aware of the angel?

   1. Balaam heard the angel talking to him.

   2. Balaam’s eyes were opened by the Lord.

   3. Balaam never realized there was an angel holding a sword.

3. What can we learn from Balaam’s experience about what can happen to us when we ignore the Lord’s instructions and warnings?

   1. We can use our agency without worrying about the consequences.

   2. We put ourselves in danger.

   3. We will be happy.

The Lord’s Warnings

Although we do not know how the donkey was able to speak, we know that the message was delivered through the Spirit of the Lord (see Numbers 22:28). It is clear from the account in Numbers 22 that Balaam understood the message and that then, through the Lord’s power, Balaam was able to see the angel that stood in the donkey’s path.

One principle we can identify from Balaam’s experience is that we should not allow the enticements of the world to influence our devotion to the Lord.

2. Answer one of the following questions:

• In what ways might God instruct or warn us to help keep us free from danger?

• Why do you think the enticements of the world sometimes cause individuals to waver in their devotion to the Lord?

• What blessings have you experienced as you have resisted the enticements of the world and remained steadfast in your devotion to the Lord?

A Prophecy of Jesus Christ’s Coming

In Numbers 22:35–24:25 we learn that the angel told Balaam he could continue his journey to see Balak but was to speak only the words the Lord told him to speak. When Balaam arrived in Balak’s kingdom, the king reminded Balaam that he could reward him if he would curse the Israelites. Rather than cursing them, however, Balaam blessed them and prophesied of the coming of the Savior (see Numbers 24:17–19).

An Unexpected Ending

The account of Balaam and King Balak has an unexpected ending.

Read Numbers 25:1–3, looking for what happened when the children of Israel came to Moab, Balak’s kingdom.

“The Doctrine of Balaam”

One passage in the New Testament adds detail about Balaam’s interactions with King Balak.

Read Revelation 2:14–16, looking for an insight into why the events described in Numbers 25:1–3 happened.

According to these passages, what did Balaam teach Balak to do?

A Stumbling Block

Think about what you learned from Revelation 2:14–16. In what ways does sin keep us from coming to the Lord?

What can we learn from this account about how sin affects us?

The Effects of Sin

One truth we can learn from this passage is that sin stops us from progressing spiritually and causes us to lose God’s protection and power.

King Balak enticed the Israelites to commit sin because he knew that without the Lord’s power they would not be able to successfully conquer his kingdom. This tactic is similar to those that Satan uses to entice us to sin.

Consider whether there are any behaviors or attitudes that may be stumbling blocks in your life right now. What can you do to overcome these stumbling blocks and avoid losing God’s protection and power?

Joshua’s Calling

In Numbers 25:4–18 we learn that the Lord instructed Moses that the children of Israel who had turned to idol worship were to be slain.

Numbers 26–36 explains that the men of Israel who were at least 20 years old and could fight in battle were numbered again. The Lord commanded the Israelites to go to war against the Midianites. During the battle, none of the Israelite soldiers were lost, but the fallen prophet Balaam, who was now apparently living among the Midianites, was killed (see Numbers 31:8). We also learn that the Lord commanded the Israelites to drive all of the Canaanites out of the promised land and instructed the Israelites concerning their lands of inheritance.

Additionally, Moses was told that he would not enter the promised land (see Numbers 27:12–14). The Lord directed Moses to call Joshua and set him apart to lead Israel. You may want to mark Numbers 27:18–23, which describes how Moses set Joshua apart.

Decide to Avoid Sin

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• The adversary sometimes uses promises of riches, popularity, and worldly status to entice us to commit sin.

• We should not allow the enticements of the world to influence our devotion to the Lord.

• Sin stops us from progressing spiritually and causes us to lose God’s protection and power.

Reflect on these truths, and decide to avoid sin by following Jesus Christ. Determine to stay on the path leading back to God. If you have left the path and stumbled because of sin, you can repent and return to the path.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) c; (2) b; (3) b