Numbers 22:4 meaning

The backdrop of this passage reveals the deep-seated fear that the Moabites had towards the Israelites, who had recently triumphed over powerful Amorite kings. Faced with the prospect of being overrun by this numerous nation, Balak, the king of Moab, strategizes to counteract his fear by seeking the aid of Balaam, a renowned diviner. This indicates that Balak recognized the Israelite's divine backing and felt that a curse from Balaam could turn the tides in his favor.

In the scripture referenced, Balak's anxieties manifest as a desperate plea to the elders of Midian, as he envisions the Israelites devouring surrounding nations like an ox consuming grass. The language highlights not only Balak's fear but also an underlying theme of theological significance: the futility of opposing God's chosen people. Despite misunderstandings of God's character, the unfolding events in this narrative showcase that divine protection over Israel supersedes human plots against them.