And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
Israel moved forward and pitched camp in the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan near Jericho. The camp lay beside the river above its entrance into the Dead Sea, just opposite the plain of Jericho on the very border of Moab. It stood in the sheltered, fertile Vale of Shittim, a plain along the river where acacia trees grew.
The encampment followed the destruction of the Amorites and the taking possession of their land. It came after the victories in Bashan, as Israel returned to the Jordan. Their power as conquerors and their close position directly opposite Moab made them appear a powerful people to those watching.
The camp stood poised for the immediate invasion of Canaan, with only the Jordan between Israel and the land. They were on the borders of Canaan and eager to enter the promised land. Yet the guiding cloud had not moved, so the stay became a period of waiting while they were prepared for life in Canaan.
Although Israel had not molested Moab, their close proximity filled the Moabites with terror. Balak son of Zippor, then king of Moab, and all Moab were exceedingly terrified and troubled by their presence over against them. That fear arose from both their power and their position directly opposite Moab.
That terror led Moab to consult the elders of Midian. It led Balak to send for Balaam to curse Israel, introducing the Balaam episode. The setting thus opens the story in which Balaam worked contrary to God.
Balak conducted Balaam from one place to another in the vain hope of inducing him to turn Israel's blessing into a curse. The attempt failed completely. It shows that human applause and fear of man are powerless against one sustained by divine power to speak God's blessing. In that story, selfishness and covetousness lead people to leave God out of their hearts and plans and hinder His work.
Israel moved forward and pitched camp in the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan near Jericho. The camp lay beside the river above its entrance into the Dead Sea, just opposite the plain of Jericho on the very border of Moab. It stood in the sheltered, fertile Vale of Shittim, a plain along the river where acacia trees grew.
The encampment followed the destruction of the Amorites and the taking possession of their land. It came after the victories in Bashan, as Israel returned to the Jordan. Their power as conquerors and their close position directly opposite Moab made them appear a powerful people to those watching.
The camp stood poised for the immediate invasion of Canaan, with only the Jordan between Israel and the land. They were on the borders of Canaan and eager to enter the promised land. Yet the guiding cloud had not moved, so the stay became a period of waiting while they were prepared for life in Canaan.
Although Israel had not molested Moab, their close proximity filled the Moabites with terror. Balak son of Zippor, then king of Moab, and all Moab were exceedingly terrified and troubled by their presence over against them. That fear arose from both their power and their position directly opposite Moab.
That terror led Moab to consult the elders of Midian. It led Balak to send for Balaam to curse Israel, introducing the Balaam episode. The setting thus opens the story in which Balaam worked contrary to God.
Balak conducted Balaam from one place to another in the vain hope of inducing him to turn Israel's blessing into a curse. The attempt failed completely. It shows that human applause and fear of man are powerless against one sustained by divine power to speak God's blessing. In that story, selfishness and covetousness lead people to leave God out of their hearts and plans and hinder His work.