Joshua 24:10
but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights that God's intent was not merely to prevent Balaam's curse, but to actively bless Israel. This wasn't a passive defense, but a divine choice to override the sorcerer's intentions and declare favor upon His people.
In this pivotal moment, Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to the Israelites as they stand on the cusp of inheriting the land. He reminds them of a past instance where the king of Moab hired the prophet Balaam to curse them, a malicious plot God thwarted. This verse highlights God’s direct intervention, turning Balaam’s intended curse into a blessing and ultimately protecting His people from harm.
Have you ever felt like someone was trying to curse you or bring you down, but somehow, things just didn't work out for them? This verse reveals a powerful truth about God's sovereignty.
Joshua recounts God's faithfulness, highlighting a pivotal moment with the prophet Balaam. Balak, king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse Israel, but God intervened.
A Prophet Under Constraint
Balaam was known for his ability to curse or bless. Balak saw him as a powerful tool to defeat Israel. He sent messengers with payment, expecting Balaam to curse God's people (Numbers 22:5-6). However, God spoke to Balaam, forbidding him to curse Israel (Numbers 22:12).
God's Unwavering Plan
Despite God's command, Balaam was still motivated by the promised reward. God allowed Balaam to go with Balak's messengers, but with a strict warning: 'only do the thing that I shall say to you' (Numbers 22:20). When Balaam met Balak, he stated clearly that he could only speak what God put in his mouth (Numbers 22:38).
Blessing Instead of Curse
Three times, Balaam prepared to curse Israel, but each time, God turned his words into blessings (Numbers 23:11-12, 23:25-26, 24:10-11). This wasn't Balaam's choice; it was God's sovereign will. Joshua emphasizes this: 'I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still.' God's purpose for Israel could not be thwarted by Balaam's wicked intent or Balak's power.
When faced with opposition, we often think of fighting back with our own strength. But God's deliverance can come in surprising ways, even through those who initially intended harm.
Joshua's recounting of the Balaam incident isn't just about God's power; it's about God's method of deliverance.
From Threat to Blessing
Balak's goal was clear: curse Israel to weaken them for battle. Balaam, though a prophet, was willing to use his gift for destructive purposes, driven by greed. However, God subverted this plan entirely. Instead of a curse, Israel received spoken blessings that affirmed God's favor and power over them.
Understand the original words
barak · Hebrew Verb
To bestow favor, prosperity, or divine privilege upon someone. A blessing from God signifies His enabling power, multiplication, and favor upon His people, overriding human attempts to harm them.
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To set free, rescue, or provide safety from danger. Biblically, God is the ultimate Deliverer who intervenes to save His people from enemies and oppression.
The verse highlights God's supernatural intervention to protect Israel from a spiritual attack orchestrated by the king of Moab and the prophet Balaam, showing His sovereignty even over prophetic curses.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, performing mighty acts to break Pharaoh's power.
c. 1446 BC
Journey through the Wilderness
After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Israel, now led by Joshua, begins to conquer the land of Canaan, displacing its inhabitants.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
War with Moab and Balaam's Oracle
Balak, king of Moab, hires the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, but God intervenes, turning the curses into blessings and protecting His people from harm.
c. 1405 BC
This passage directly recounts Balaam's first attempt to curse Israel, highlighting his inability to curse whom God had not cursed, directly supporting Joshua's statement about God's intervention.
Numbers 24:10This verse from the Balaam narrative shows Balak's anger that Balaam blessed Israel, emphasizing Balaam's statement that God had forbidden him to curse them, aligning with Joshua's account.
Deuteronomy 23:3-6This passage explains the historical reason why no Ammonite or Moabite could ever enter the assembly of the LORD, directly referencing the incident with Balaam and the Moabites, reinforcing the significance of God's protection.
Psalm 106:28-31This psalm recalls Israel's involvement with the Moabites and Balaam, noting how God turned the intended curse into a blessing, mirroring Joshua's narrative of divine deliverance.
calvinJoshua 24:1-14: "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Congregavit itaque [194] Josue omnes tribus Israel in Sichem, vocavi…
gillJoshua 24:10: "But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand."
But I would not hearken unto Balaam,.... Who was very solicitous to get leave of the Lord to curse Israel, which he knew he could not do without; he had a goodwill to it but could not accomplish it: therefore he blessed you still; went on blessing Israel to the last, when Balak hoped every time he would have cursed them; and Balaam himself was very desirous of doing it; but c…
The text highlights that God's intent was not merely to prevent Balaam's curse, but to actively bless Israel. This wasn't a passive defense, but a divine choice to override the sorcerer's intentions and declare favor upon His people.
In this pivotal moment, Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to the Israelites as they stand on the cusp of inheriting the land. He reminds them of a past instance where the king of Moab hired the prophet Balaam to curse them, a malicious plot God thwarted. This verse highlights God’s direct intervention, turning Balaam’s intended curse into a blessing and ultimately protecting His people from harm.
In this pivotal moment, Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to the Israelites as they stand on the cusp of inheriting the land. He reminds them of a past instance where the king of Moab hired the prophet Balaam to curse them, a malicious plot God thwarted. This verse highlights God’s direct intervention, turning Balaam’s intended curse into a blessing and ultimately protecting His people from harm.
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God's Hand in the Outcome
The verse concludes, 'So I delivered you out of his hand.' This 'hand' refers not only to Balaam's potential to curse but also to Balak's broader scheme to harm Israel through supernatural means. God's intervention meant that the very person hired to destroy them became an instrument of affirmation. This demonstrates that God's deliverance doesn't always mean removing the threat, but often means neutralizing its power and even turning it to His purposes.
Completion of Canaan Conquest
After years of conflict and division of the land, the conquest of Canaan is largely completed under Joshua's leadership.
c. 1405 BC
Joshua's Farewell Address
At Shechem, Joshua, nearing the end of his life, gathers Israel to recount God's faithfulness and challenge them to commit to serving Him alone.
"but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand." — The text highlights that God's intent was not merely to prevent Balaam's curse, but to actively bless Israel. This wasn't a passive defense, but a divine choice to override the sorcerer's intention…
