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English language Bible study guide for the 3-year through-the-Bible reading program in use by Trinity International Baptist Church of Athens, Greece.

Meditation Points:

• Why would a believer want to marry an unbeliever? Does his love of the unbeliever supercede his love of God? What, then, can be said of his so-called love of God?
• An unbelieving spouse will, consciously or otherwise, attempt to dissuade the believer from his allegiance to the true God.
• Sexual satisfaction is all too often more important than saintliness and sanctification.
• Some people are so rebellious towards God that they will publicly display their disdain for His law. Such treason cannot be tolerated in a theocratic kingdom.
• The individual who stands up against the masses for the honor of God should be rewarded.

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English language Bible study notes prepared for Trinity International Baptist Church of Athens, Greece.

Balak, the Moabite king, wanted Balaam to curse the nation of Israel. Three times Balaam went to the Lord for a word of prophecy; and three times he returned to bless the nation of Israel-much to the obvious consternation of his would-be patron.

1. The first blessing (23:1-12)

2. The second blessing (23:13-24)

3. The third blessing (23:25-24:9)

4. A fourth prophecy, after which Balaam and Balak part ways (24:10-25)

Meditation Points:

• “peradventure the LORD will come to meet me” (Numbers 23:3)
• “And God met Balaam” (Numbers 23:4)
• “And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth” (Numbers 23:5)
• “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?” (Numbers 23:8)
• “Let me die the death of the righteous” (Numbers 23:10)
• “Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?” (Numbers 23:12)
• “God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)
• “All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do” (Numbers 23:26)
• “Blessed is he that blesseth thee; and cursed is he that curseth thee.” (Numbers 24:9)
• “The LORD hath kept thee back from honor” (Numbers 24:11)
• “Who shall live when God doeth this?” (Numbers 24:23)

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A city set on a hill cannot be hid; neither can a small nation moving through the wilderness.

1. When Canaanites take some Israelite prisoners, Israel asks God for help; and the Lord delivers the Canaanites into the hands of the Israelites for destruction (21:1-3).
2. Looking upon a brazen image of a serpent raised on a pole is the only remedy for serpent-cursed Israel (21:4-9).
3. As Israel moves closer to the promised land, various enemies rise against them, only to be quickly defeated (21:10-35).
4. Balak, king of the Moabites, seeks to enlist the services of the prophet Balaam to curse the approaching nation of Israel; but Balaam refuses. (22:1-14).
5. A second set of representatives appeals for Balaam’s help; and Balaam agrees (22:15-21).
6. Balaam learns a valuable lesson from an ass (22:22-35).
7. From the high places of Baal, Balak shows Balaam the people he should curse; and Balaam defines the rules of his services (22:36-41)

Meditation Points:

• See how Jesus uses the fiery serpent event as an illustration of His own forth-coming crucifixion in John 3:14-15.
• Though Balaam was not of the nation of Israel, he seems to have been known by the Lord.

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