DBG - February 23 - Numbers 22-24

This chapThis chapter contains the story of the recruitment of Balaam.

vs. 1-4 – The Moabite king Balak (“spoiler”, as in one that is victorious in battle and spoils the enemy) sees the strength of Israel and consults with the Midianites about how to deal with them.  Remember that the Moabites are descendants of Lot and the Midianites are descendants of Abraham and Keturah. 

vs. 5-8 – Balaam (“lord of the people”), who lived at Pethor near the Euphrates River, is sought to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.  Some believe him to be a Midianite but it is not explicitly stated.  He appears to mix the true religion of Jehovah with pagan rites, all motivated by a lust for power and fortune.  He is one of the greatest enemies of Israel, and the three times his name are mentioned in the New Testament are worthy of deep study.

vs. 9-14 – God tells Balaam not to go and curse the Israelites.  He listens and sends away the messengers from Balak.

vs. 15-21 – Balak sends more messengers.  Balaam at first refuses, but God tell him to go with them if they called again.

vs. 22-35 – Balaam goes without being called, not obeying God’s command.  We have the practically comical scene that follows where Balaam’s donkey showed more sense than his master.  Balaam continues from his near-death experience with the command repeated to only speak the words God tells him to speak.

vs. 36-41 – Balaam is welcomed by Balak, who offers sacrifices to celebrate the arrival of Balaam and to attempt to sway his gods’ favor.ter r

In this chapter we see the first pronouncements of Balaam.

vs. 1-3 – Balaam and Balak offer more sacrifices and Balaam removes himself to an isolated place to hear from God.

vs. 4-12 – Balaam is obedient to God and repeats God’s message.  It is not a curse, but rather a blessing of Israel.  This is not what Balak had brought him to do!

vs. 13-15 – Balak and Balaam move to a new location on Mt. Pisgah, where they again offer sacrifices and Balaam removes himself to hear from God.

vs. 16-26 – Balaam again is obedient to God and repeats God’s message.  Again, it is not a curse, but a blessing.

vs. 27-30 – Balak and Balaam move to a third location on Mt. Peor and again offer sacrifices.

In this chapter Balaam gives his final pronouncements.

vs. 1-9 – Balaam does not remove himself this third time.  The Spirit gives him the message and he delivers it.  Once again, it is a blessing and not a curse.

vs. 10-14 – Balak is enraged and dismisses Balaam.  But Balaam has one more message.

vs. 15-19 – Balaam begins his fourth message by speaking about the future power of Israel.  We have in vs. 17 the mention of a star, which may be the reference the wise men saw that brought them to Bethlehem. 

vs. 20-22 – The second part of the message concerns the fate of the Amalekites and Kenites.  The Amalekites disappear from history and the Kenites are subjugated by the Asshur (Assyria).

vs. 23-24 – The third part of the message is more prophecy.  It is not very clear, but we will dissect it. Taken as a while, this verse feels like something from the Book of Daniel.    It talks about invaders from Chittim, which is the Jewish term for Cyprus.  It does not have to specifically be Cyprus and can speak of the regions beyond it.  In this case it is probably referring to Greece or even Rome.  These invaders will attack and defeat Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (see Genesis 10:21, this is a group of Semitic people that also dwell Mesopotamia).  Then we have the mysterious “he” that is doomed to fall.  I think there is a melding of various future events here.  Historically, Greece (especially Alexander the Great) and Rome were powerful in this area, so maybe this speaks of their conquests.  It may also point to a more future time.  The “he” seems to refer to this conquering power that sweeps through the region.  Could this be the Antichrist, the counter of the Messiah that was seen just a few verses prior?

We have read the most of the recorded history we have of Balaam.  God used this untrustworthy prophet to declare His message to the people watching Israel come to take the Promised Land.  If we ended here, you might leave thinking that Balaam is something of an antihero.  But we see his true character, which is highlighted many times in Scripture moving forward, in what he does behind the scenes after these chapters.  He is the mastermind behind the plan in chapter 25 to have lure the Israelites’ hearts from God by enticing them to sin with idolatry and religious prostitution.  He is killed among the Midianites in 31:8.  He is a warning to all believers to serve God with a pure heart and pure motives.    

Our hymn today is by John Newton and was published under the heading, “The Vanity of Balaam’s Wish”.  It is a good summation of Balaam and his character.

How blest the righteous are!
When they resign their breath!
No wonder Balaam wish'd to share
In such a happy death.

"Oh! let me die said he,
"The death the righteous do;
"When life is ended, let me be
"Found with the faithful few."

The force of truth how great!
When enemies confess,
None but the righteous, whom they hate,
A solid hope possess,

But Balaam's wish was vain,
His heart was insincere:
He thirsted for unrighteous gain,
And sought a portion here.

He seem'd the Lord to know,
And to offend him loth;
But Mammon prov'd his overthrow,
For none can serve them both.

May you my friends, and I
Warning form hence receive;
If like the righteous we would die,
To choose the life they live.