Joshua 24:9-10
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What's easy to miss is that "warred against Israel" didn't necessarily mean a direct military confrontation. Balak's "war" was fought through cunning schemes and spiritual attacks, like hiring Balaam to curse them, demonstrating that hostility can take many insidious forms.
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, but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Joshua recounts Israel's history before God, he highlights how Balak, the king of Moab, saw their advancing presence as a threat. Fearing open conflict, Balak resorted to spiritual warfare by hiring the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, hoping this would weaken them for battle. God, however, intervened, turning Balaam's intended curse into a blessing and ultimately delivering Israel from their malicious plots.
King Balak didn't just send armies; he sent a curse. How can enemies fight us with more than just physical force?
In Joshua 24:9, we see that warfare isn't always about clashing swords. King Balak of Moab, fearing Israel's growing power, didn't immediately launch a full-scale invasion. Instead, he employed a different kind of attack.
Crafty Counsel and Wicked Devices
Commentators point out that Balak's 'war' was often characterized by 'crafty counsel and warlike stratagems' rather than open battle. He sought to defeat Israel not through military might alone, but through spiritual and psychological means.
His primary strategy was to hire Balaam, a prophet, to curse Israel. This reveals a crucial understanding: battles can be fought on spiritual and emotional levels. Enemies might use words, lies, or even spiritual manipulation to try and weaken or defeat us, just as Balak tried to use Balaam's curses.
What happens when an enemy's curse backfires? Discover how God protected Israel and can protect you.
Joshua recounts how King Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel, hoping to gain victory. However, the narrative takes a pivotal turn.
The Unintended Blessing
Despite Balak's intentions and Balaam's efforts, God intervened. Joshua explicitly states, 'But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you still' (Joshua 24:10, though not in the provided verse, it's directly related). God's power was so evident that even the attempt to curse Israel resulted in a blessing.
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This shows God's sovereign protection over His people. Even when enemies employ insidious or spiritual tactics, God is able to thwart their plans and, in His wisdom, can even turn those attempts into something beneficial for His people. The failure of Balaam's curse demonstrates that no plan against God's chosen people can ultimately succeed if God is protecting them.
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.
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.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Amorite Kings
Israel defeats Sihon and Og, kings of the Amorites, taking their lands east of the Jordan River. This victory alarms the surrounding nations, including Moab.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Balak Hires Balaam to Curse Israel
King Balak of Moab, fearful of Israel's approach, hires the prophet Balaam to curse them. Balaam attempts to curse Israel but is divinely compelled to bless them instead.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Settle East of Jordan
After conquering the Amorite kings, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settle in the lands east of the Jordan River, bordering Moab.
This passage directly describes Balak's fear of Israel and his decision to hire Balaam to curse them, providing the immediate context for Joshua's recounting of this event.
Numbers 23:11-12This shows God's direct intervention, preventing Balaam from cursing Israel when Balak commanded him to, highlighting how God turned the intended curse into a blessing, as Joshua alludes to in chapter 24.
Deuteronomy 23:3-5This passage reveals the lasting consequence of Balak's actions, stating that an Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord, a direct result of their attempted hostility against Israel and their hiring of Balaam.
Micah 6:5This verse directly references the events at Shittim, mentioning Balak king of Moab and Balaam son of Beor, underscoring the significance and memorability of this attempted spiritual warfare against Israel.
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 is that "warred against Israel" didn't necessarily mean a direct military confrontation. Balak's "war" was fought through cunning schemes and spiritual attacks, like hiring Balaam to curse them, demonstrating that hostility can take many insidious forms.
As Joshua recounts Israel's history before God, he highlights how Balak, the king of Moab, saw their advancing presence as a threat. Fearing open conflict, Balak resorted to spiritual warfare by hiring the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, hoping this would weaken them for battle. God, however, intervened, turning Balaam's intended curse into a blessing and ultimately delivering Israel from their malicious plots.
As Joshua recounts Israel's history before God, he highlights how Balak, the king of Moab, saw their advancing presence as a threat. Fearing open conflict, Balak resorted to spiritual warfare by hiring the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, hoping this would weaken them for battle. God, however, intervened, turning Balaam's intended curse into a blessing and ultimately delivering Israel from their malicious plots.
"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, but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand." — What's easy to miss is that "warred against Israel" didn't necessarily mean a direct military confrontation. Balak's "war" was fought through cunning schemes and spiritual attacks, like hiring Balaam…
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Last reviewed October 2026
