Joshua 24:9
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that Balak's "war" against Israel wasn't fought with swords and spears, but with wicked schemes and attempts to curse them through Balaam. This highlights how spiritual warfare can be just as real and dangerous as physical combat.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, reminding them of past enemies like the Moabite king Balak. Balak, threatened by Israel's presence, not only prepared for war but also sought to curse them through the sorcerer Balaam, an attempt God ultimately thwarted by turning the curse into a blessing. This narrative highlights how even hostile external forces couldn't ultimately harm God's people when He chose to protect them.
When you think of war, you probably picture armies clashing. But sometimes, the most dangerous attacks come in less obvious forms.
Joshua reminds the Israelites that Balak, king of Moab, 'arose and warred against Israel.' But the text clarifies that this 'warfare' wasn't just with swords and shields. It involved 'crafty counsel,' 'wicked devices,' and attempts to use spiritual weapons against them.
Even when enemies attempt to curse God's people, history shows their plans often backfire spectacularly. How does God ensure His people's safety?
While Balak's intention was to curse Israel, Joshua's retelling emphasizes God's ultimate power and protection. The narrative highlights that God would not allow Balaam's curse to take effect.
Understand the original words
arar · Hebrew Verb
To invoke divine judgment or harm upon a person or group. Biblically, a curse is an expression of judgment or separation from blessing, which can be thwarted by God’s sovereign protection.
Joshua reminds Israel of Balak's attempts to destroy them not just through open warfare, but through spiritual means like hiring Balaam to curse them, highlighting that God's protection extended even to these insidious plots.
c. 1406 BC
Israel arrives at the borders of Moab
After conquering the Amorites, Israel camped on the plains of Moab, posing a significant threat to Balak's kingdom.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel
King Balak of Moab, terrified of Israel's growing power, hired the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, hoping to defeat them in battle.
c. 1406 BC
Balaam's curses turn into blessings
Despite Balaam's efforts and Balak's desire for a curse, God intervened, causing Balaam to bless Israel instead, thwarting Moab's spiritual attack.
c. 1406 BC
Midianite-Moabite alliance and idolatry
Moabite women, possibly influenced by Balaam's strategy, lured Israelite men into sin and idolatry, causing a plague among the people.
This passage directly details Balak's attempt to hire Balaam to curse Israel, providing the original account of the event mentioned in Joshua 24:9.
Numbers 24:10This verse shows Balak's anger at Balaam's inability to curse Israel, highlighting the failure of his 'warfare' against them through sorcery, which is alluded to in Joshua 24:9.
Deuteronomy 23:3-5These verses describe the lasting negative impact of Moab's (and Ammon's) actions against Israel, including hiring Balaam, showing the historical consequence of the hostility mentioned in Joshua 24:9.
Micah 6:5This prophetic passage directly references Balak and Balaam, asking rhetorical questions about their wicked counsel against Israel, reinforcing the significance of this event as a historical offense.
wesleyJoshua 24:9: "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:"
24:9 Balak warred - Balak warred, tho' not by open force, yet by crafty counsel and warlike stratagems, by wicked devices.
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…
What's easy to miss here is that Balak's "war" against Israel wasn't fought with swords and spears, but with wicked schemes and attempts to curse them through Balaam. This highlights how spiritual warfare can be just as real and dangerous as physical combat.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, reminding them of past enemies like the Moabite king Balak. Balak, threatened by Israel's presence, not only prepared for war but also sought to curse them through the sorcerer Balaam, an attempt God ultimately thwarted by turning the curse into a blessing. This narrative highlights how even hostile external forces couldn't ultimately harm God's people when He chose to protect them.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, reminding them of past enemies like the Moabite king Balak. Balak, threatened by Israel's presence, not only prepared for war but also sought to curse them through the sorcerer Balaam, an attempt God ultimately thwarted by turning the curse into a blessing. This narrative highlights how even hostile external forces couldn't ultimately harm God's people when He chose to protect them.
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c. 1406 BC
Israel defeats the Midianites
Following the plague and sin, God commanded Israel to strike the Midianites, who were allied with Moab, and the Israelites carried out this judgment.
"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you," — What's easy to miss here is that Balak's "war" against Israel wasn't fought with swords and spears, but with wicked schemes and attempts to curse them through Balaam. This highlights how spiritual wa…
