Until now, the Torah related adventures that befell the Hebrews as they trekked along desert highways,
dramatic thrillers that occupied the encampment before they reached civilization. If we were to chart a
geographic reference line, we would have the start point as the great wilderness and the end point
corresponding to where Moses passes away. But now in chapter 22, the Torah’s emphasis changes,
focusing on those sensational events that occurred in proximity to the spot where the prophet dies. This
leg of the journey features Balak and Balaam.
“And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel did to the Amorites.”
What do these final narratives impart? Abravanel delves deeply into this chapter, but let us concentrate
and better understand King Balak’s of Moab predicament. Put differently, why did Balak turn to Balaam
at this juncture? What led the monarch to turn to the occult, to soothsayers, and other crystal ball
professionals, trades that Balaam practiced with a high degree of proficiency? To be sure, we must also
acknowledge that Balak slunk away from conventional war and martial arts, traditional practices of
chivalrous men bearing arms.
The reason behind the king’s choice is manifest. “And Moab greatly feared the nation.” His army shook
in its boots, sagging esprit de corps on life support. In an extreme defeatist environment, what is a king
commanding sniveling troops meant to do?
“And Balak the son of Zippor saw.” The king saw much. He was apprised of things that we shall now
discuss. He heard about the Hebrews mauling the Amorites. That is, they manhandled Sihon and Og,
both generals of superior might when compared to Moab. Indeed, the Hebrews’ victories had been
convincing and decisive. When the dust settled, the Amorites had lost broad swaths of their territory.
The Moabite king also saw and gauged the fighting men under his command. And it was a sorry sight.
Uncontrollably, they convulsed in the face of the Jews. Palpable fright. Part of their despair stemmed
from the sheer size of the Jewish army. “For they are many.” Another part had to do with the reputation
the Jews had earned; they utterly brutalized all adversaries. “And Moab despaired on account of the
Children of Israel.” The Hebrews were respected as a deeply pious people, descendants of a Heaven-
blessed lineage.
We can get a glimpse of just how hard-pressed Moab was when we see to what extent they begged
Midian for assistance. “And Moab said to the elders of Midian, now the congregation is poised to
completely wipe out our region as a bull consumes a vegetable patch.” In so many words, Moab’s king
told Midian that without regional cooperation, they were all doomed. In military jargon, the strategy
currently employed by the Jews can be neatly summed up as divide and conquer. “As a bull consumes a
vegetable patch.” Moab stressed in no uncertain terms that in any one-on-one fight, the Hebrews would
easily trounce the local powers.
In the king of Moab’s eyes, this too he had perceived with perfect perspicacity. He well comprehended
the Jews’ might. The Amorite campaigns taught as much. Balak’s army’s (lack of) readiness clarified
more for him. The monarch’s assessment: no single nation could slow let alone stop the Hebrews’
momentum. Cooperation between Moab and Midian became an expedient, the last hope.
Herein was Balak’s predicament. In a word, his army was outclassed. As such Balak clutched at straws.
Balaam, the master magician, was Moab’s only hope. Hence Balak called on Balaam. Perhaps the
sorcerer’s bag of tricks would turn the tide and hand the Jews their first defeat.
