Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 22:4 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Numbers 22:4 is an important verse in the Old Testament that reveals the fear of the Moabites as they saw Israel growing in strength. This verse is part of the story of Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, the prophet. Balak saw how the Israelites defeated the Amorites and became afraid. Instead of seeking peace or trusting God, he looked for a way to stop Israel through supernatural means—by hiring Balaam to curse them.
Let’s explore the significance of this verse in detail.
The Context of Numbers 22:4 KJV
To fully understand Numbers 22:4, we must look at the background of the events leading up to it.
1. Israel’s Journey and Victory Over the Amorites
At this point in the Bible, the Israelites were nearing the Promised Land. They had spent almost 40 years in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. During their journey, they faced many enemies, but God continued to give them victory.
In Numbers 21, the Israelites defeated two powerful kings:
- King Sihon of the Amorites
- King Og of Bashan
These kings had strong armies and fortified cities, but Israel conquered them. This victory made surrounding nations afraid.
2. The Fear of the Moabites
Moab was a neighboring nation ruled by King Balak. The Moabites saw what Israel had done to the Amorites, and they became terrified.
They believed that Israel was too powerful to defeat in battle.
They feared that Israel would destroy their land and people.
Instead of seeking peace, they tried to stop Israel through spiritual warfare by hiring Balaam to curse them.
Numbers 22:4 shows the Moabites discussing their fear with the elders of Midian. This is important because it shows how panic led them to make foolish decisions.
Numbers 22:4 (KJV)
Here is Numbers 22:4 in the King James Version (KJV):
“And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.”
Let’s break down the meaning of this verse.
Numbers 22:4 Meaning
1. “And Moab said unto the elders of Midian”
The Moabites and Midianites were two different groups of people, but they were both afraid of Israel.
Instead of seeking God’s help, they turned to each other for advice.
This teaches us that seeking the wrong counsel can lead to bad decisions.
2. “Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us”
The “company” refers to the Israelites.
The Moabites saw how powerful Israel had become.
The phrase “lick up all that are round about us” is a metaphor. It compares Israel to an ox licking up grass.
This means they believed Israel would consume or destroy everything in their path.
3. “As the ox licketh up the grass of the field”
This comparison shows how fearful the Moabites were.
An ox eating grass is something quick and complete—this was how the Moabites imagined their fate.
Instead of trusting in God’s plan, they panicked.
4. “And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time”
This introduces Balak, the Moabite king.
Balak would later send messengers to Balaam to ask him to curse Israel (Numbers 22:5-6).
His fear caused him to make a desperate and foolish decision.
Numbers 22:4 Application in Life
Numbers 22:4 is not just a historical event—it teaches important lessons for our faith today.
1. Fear Can Lead to Bad Decisions
The Moabites feared Israel, but instead of turning to God, they turned to human solutions.
Fear can make us act without thinking.
Instead of making decisions based on fear, we should trust in God’s plan.
Bible Application:
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
This verse reminds us that we do not need to fear when God is with us.
2. Seeking the Wrong Advice Can Lead Us Astray
The Moabites sought advice from the Midianites instead of turning to God.
When we face problems, we must be careful about who we listen to.
Bad advice can lead to wrong choices.
Bible Application:
Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
This verse teaches us to seek godly advice rather than following worldly wisdom.
3. No One Can Stop God’s Plan
The Moabites wanted to stop Israel from succeeding.
But no one can stop what God has planned.
Later, Balaam could not curse Israel because God had already blessed them (Numbers 23:8).
This reminds us that God’s plans for us cannot be blocked by others.
Bible Application:
Romans 8:31 – “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
This verse reminds us that God’s protection is greater than any opposition.
4. Trust in God Instead of Fearing the Future
The Moabites feared that Israel would take their land and destroy them.
But fear of the future should never control our decisions.
Instead of worrying, we should trust that God is in control.
Bible Application:
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
This verse reminds us that God has good plans for our future.
Conclusion
Numbers 22:4 teaches us several key lessons:
- Fear can lead to bad decisions – The Moabites feared Israel instead of trusting God.
- Seeking the wrong advice can mislead us – They looked to the Midianites instead of seeking God’s guidance.
- No one can stop God’s plan – Balaam could not curse what God had blessed.
- Trust in God instead of fearing the future – Worry should never control our actions.
Instead of making decisions based on fear, we should trust in God’s wisdom and protection. The story of Balak and Balaam reminds us that God is in control, and no enemy can stand against Him.
By trusting in God, seeking His wisdom, and refusing to let fear control us, we can walk confidently in His plan for our lives.
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- Numbers 22:2 Meaning, Context & Commentary
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