WHATEVER HE SHOWS ME

“Bil’am said to Balak, ‘Stand by your burnt offering while I go off; maybe Adonai will come and meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you.’ He went off to a bare hill."
Numbers 23:3

At the request of Balak, Bil’am followed him to the high places of Ba’al where from which he could see a portion of the people of Isra’el. The request was made of Bil’am to prepare seven bulls and seven rams to be placed on the seven altars on the high place. Then the two split company as Bil’am went off to a bare hill. His final words repeated to Balak were that he would speak only as Adonai showed him. Away from Balak, Adonai spoke. I like how the Torah reads, “Then Adonai put a word in Bil’am’s mouth…” Adonai put a word in his mouth. Adonai gave him a pronouncement.
“’How am I to curse those whom God has not cursed? How am I to denounce those whom Adonai has not denounced?’” As Balak heard these words and more, he realized that Bil’am was blessing the same nation he had beckoned him to curse. But had not he said he would speak what Adonai showed him?
Balak then took Bil’am to another location, thinking that a different view would bring about a different result. So now, standing on the top of the Pisgah Range, they again built seven altars and offered another seven bulls and goats. Again they split ways and again Bil’am came back with a word from Adonai on his mouth. “’God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.” Praise Adonai who called Avraham and promised him both a land and a people. These people, Isra’el, were His promise and Adonai was not going back on his promise. Again Bil’am spoke what he was shown by Adonai.
Thinking still that location would change destiny, Balak took Bil’am to a third place to view the people of Isra’el. Now on top of P’or, overlooking the desert, seven more altars for bulls and goats were made. Seeing the people of Isra’el encamped tribe by tribe, Adonai placed another word on Bil’am’s mouth. “’God, who brought them out of Egypt, gives them the strength of a wild ox. They will devour the nations opposing them, break their bones, pierce them with their arrows.’” Balak was beyond angry, for three times instead of cursing them Bil’am had blessed them. And now, in his rage, Balak demanded Bil’am return home.
This last piece, though, is final say of Adonai in this matter. Knowing he was not getting paid for his blessing of Isra’el, Bil’am spoke the fate of Balak’s kingdom. “’I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not soon – a star will step forth from Ya’akov, a scepter will arise from Isra’el, to crush the corners of Mo’av and destroy all descendants of Shet.’” When he finished speaking the words of Adonai to Balak, and also to Amalek and Keini, he went home. Soon after, Isra’el began whoring with the women of Mo’av. They joined in with the worship of Ba’al, and Adonai’s anger festered. Moshe commanded the death of those who had joined themselves to Ba’al-P’or, and the curse was ended at 24,000 people dead when the spear of Pinchas struck the stomach of an Isra’elite and Midian couple.

Numbers 22:39 – 23:12
Numbers 23:13-26
Numbers 23:27 – 24:13
Numbers 24:14 – 25:9