1. Those whom God blesses are blessed (1-13)

Israel's thoroughgoing defeat of the Amorite kings struck terror in the hearts of the Moabites. So the Moabite king Balak hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel. Balaam was a compromising prophet with spiritual gifts but no truth in his heart. When Balaam prayed, God told him not to go with Balak's emissaries and not to curse Israel, for God had blessed them. So Balaam sent the Moabite emissaries away.

2. God grants Balaam's heart desire (14-20)

The king of Moab sent more emissaries and more money to Balaam. Balaam really wanted to go with them. His words of refusal were clear (18), but his actions were not clear. He invited them to spend the night, and then he asked God again. God lets people do what they really want to do. He wants us to be responsible for our choices. So God gave Balaam conditional permission to go.

Application: Lord, give me a wholehearted desire to please you. Keep me from asking again for what I know does not please you.
One Word: Don't have a compromising heart