Numbers 23-24

CHAPTER 23:
           Verses 1-2: The seven altars and the fourteen burnt offerings are not an indication that Balaam is honoring or worshiping God. According to Biblical scholars and historians, seven was a sacred number in the ANE, and we know from Genesis that animal sacrifices have been an integral part of mankind’s culture and tradition when God made animal skins to clothe Adam and Eve after the Fall. And since it’s clear from the text that both Balaam and King Balak are heathen men, it’s also clear that these burnt offerings are not the same as the ones God described for the Israelites in Exodus and Leviticus. Balak is a superstitious man, and he’s doing what he thinks will bring him the most reward from his false gods.
 
            Verses 3-5: Balaam tells Balak to stand by while he goes “…to an high place…” to meet with God. (v.3) This could be reference to a nearby hilltop or another sacred site of Baal that is a short distance away. Balaam tells the LORD that he has prepared seven altars and done two burnt offerings on each one. (v.4) Given the pagan worship that is represented by those offerings, this is either incredible pride and arrogance on the part of Balaam or he is simply so naïve in his sin that he somehow thinks that God is pleased by those sacrifices just because God has chosen him to be His oracle. Nevertheless, God tells Balaam what he will speak, and Balaam returns to Balak.
 
            Verses 6-12: This is the first of four blessings/prophecies that Balaam gives regarding God’s chosen people. It’s not just King Balak that is listening, but he has all his princes with him. (v.6) Verse 7 describes Balaam’s words as a parable, meaning that what he’s about to speak is more than just an ordinary blessing. (Job 27:1, 29:1, Psalm 78:2) What God has given Balaam is a fundamental, divine truth, a revelation that can neither be given nor found anywhere else except from Yahweh, the one, true God, creator of heaven and earth. In other words, King Balak and his princes are about to get far more than they bargained for, and it’s definitely not what any of them want to hear. For us, however, who truly believe and worship JEHOVAH, the words of Balaam in this chapter and the next are a heavenly parable indeed!
            Balaam begins by stating who has summoned him and from where he has come. (v.7) King Balak and all of Moab desire to defy Israel. (1 Samuel 17:10) But Balaam says he cannot curse those whom God has not cursed, nor can he defy them that God has not defied. (v.8) The children of Israel stand apart from all other people of the earth, “…and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” (v.9) (Exodus 33:16, Deuteronomy 32:8, 33:28, Joshua 11:23, Ezra 9:2) The LORD, speaking through Balaam, is confirming His covenant with Abraham here. Israel has been called out, separated from all other nations and peoples of the earth, and no one shall come against them or defy them, for they belong solely to God.
           “Who can count the dust of Jacob…” (v.10) (Genesis 13:16, 22:17, 28:14, 2 Chronicles 1:9) Abraham’s seed numbers about two million, even with the recent deaths due to disobedience and rebellion. From their vantage point atop this peak, Balaam and Balak can see only a quarter of Israel’s encampment. (“…the number of the fourth part of Israel…”) Balaam ends his blessing with a confirmation of Israel’s righteous state before God. Note from my study Bible: “This episode is a test case for the Abrahamic covenant in its most elemental and fundamental level. Balaam was called by Balak to put God to the test.”
        Balak, of course, is not at all happy with this blessing, but Balaam reminds him that he can only “…speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth.” (v.11-12)
 
          Verses 13-17: Balak thinks a change of view will alter the outcome of Balaam’s prophecies, so he relocates everyone to “…the field of Zophim, to the top of Pigsah…”. (v.14) This site offers a different view of Israel’s encampment. (v.13) Another seven altars are built and another round of burnt offerings are completed. Balaam once again tells Balak to stand by “…while I meet the LORD yonder.” (v.15) Once again, God tells him what to say to Balak. (v.16)
 
          Verses 18-24: The immutability of God is stated clearly in verse 19. “…hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” What God wills will be done, and no man can change that or stand against it. The first part of this verse is referring to the fact that God cannot go back on the promise He made to Abraham. He gave His word to Abraham that his seed would number as the stars of the heaven, and that through him all nations of the earth would be blessed. God also specifically stated “…I will bless thee…” (Genesis 12:2) and “…I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curesth thee…” (12:3) Although Balak is asking Balaam to curse Israel, what he’s really seeking is that God – through Balaam – curses Israel. God – through Balaam – is making it clear to Balak that He can’t do that. He is not like men that He can lie and break His promises. “…He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it,” Balaam says to the king. (v.20)
            “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel…”. (v.21) (Psalm 32:2, Romans 4:7-8) These verses refer to Israel’s standing before God. He has found the nation righteous in the same way that believers today are seen as righteous before God because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of Israel’s faith and their keeping of the law, God sees them as upright and blameless before Him. This is also another way of saying that they are God’s chosen people, and the second half of the verse attests to Israel’s victories because the LORD is on their side. (Psalm 89:15)
        Balaam then gives examples of God’s might, power, and sovereignty. (v.22-24). The first example is, of course, His deliverance of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. God’s power is compared to that of a unicorn, a reference that is used frequently in the OT to refer to God’s supernatural might and providence. (v.22) (Numbers 24:8, Deuteronomy 33:17, Job 39:9-10, Psalm 22:21, 29:6, 92:10, Isaiah 34:7) The exact definition of this word as well as the animal to which it is referring is unknown to modern Biblical scholars. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Bible dictionary gives this definition: “Probably the great aurochs or wild bulls which are now extinct. The exact meaning is not known.” The KJV translators used the term “unicorn” because it was the closest that we have in English to whatever mighty and powerful animal was native to this region of the ANE at this time. Whatever the case, Balaam is making it clear to King Balak that God is far more powerful than man, and what He has wrought cannot be undone by any mere mortal.
            Balaam confirms what God has told him from the start: no one can come against the seed of Jacob with any form of divination or supernatural power except that God allows it. (v.23) Not even Satan with all of his power and demonic forces can attack Israel, for God is their strength and protection. By His power the nation shall rise up against her enemies as a mighty lion, young and full of fury. (v.24) Anyone that comes against her will be utterly destroyed. (Genesis 49:9, 27, Psalm 31:19, 44:1)
          Verses 25-30: Balak now tries a different tactic, telling Balaam to neither curse nor bless Israel at all. (v.25) But Balaam reminds the king that he can only speak what God tells him to say. There’s also an interesting point here in that not only is Balaam allowed to speak only what God gives to him, but neither can Balaam refrain from speaking at all! God’s will is that Balaam publicly blesses the children of Israel, and Balaam has no choice but to obey!
      Balak, however, refuses to accept Balaam’s reply, and he relocates everyone to yet another mountain peak overlooking the plains of Moab. (v.27) The king foolishly and stubbornly believes that just because he and Balaam change the venue that God will suddenly change His mind as well. The new site is the mountaintop of Peor, looking towards Jeshimon. (v.28) (Numbers 21:20) As before, Balak and his princes build seven altars upon which Balaam performs the usual burnt offerings.

CHAPTER 24:
            Verses 1-9: From the top of Mount Peor, Balaam and Balak can see all of the camp of Israel. (v.1-2) (Numbers 2:2, 34) This time Balaam has no need to depart a ways off in order to first consult with God before giving Balak a new parable. On the previous two occasions, God had spoken to Balaam through whatever method of divination and spiritual enchantment Balaam regularly practiced. Now, however, the spirit of God comes upon him directly. (v.2) (Numbers 11:25, 1 Samuel 10:10, 19:20, 23, 2 Chronicles 15:1) Verse 3 is the Lord speaking through Balaam about Balaam. He is “…the man whose eyes are open…”. Verse 4 gives further detail about Balaam’s appearance. He is clearly in a trance, seeing a “…vision of the Almighty…”.
            The seed of Jacob is compared to a bountiful garden full of rich, flourishing trees. (v.6) (Psalm 1:3, 104:16, Jeremiah 17:8) Cedar trees in the ANE always yielded strong, sturdy wood, and the forests of Lebanon at that time were ripe with these towering trees whose roots ran deep. Balaam prophesies that the nation of Israel will have seed as abundant as the waters of the earth, and their king will be exalted above all kings of the earth. (v.7) King Agag of the Amalekites is named specifically here, even though he is yet to be born. (1 Samuel 15:8-9) It’s also possible that Agag is a title rather than a proper name, like Pharaoh, and thus Balaam could be referring to the whole nation of the Amalekites rather than a specific man. The Amalekites were the first people to attack Israel after their exodus from Egypt, and that’s probably another reason that Balaam specifically mentions them here.
            There is a sudden change of pronouns starting in verse 8. Where Balaam referred to all of Israel in the two parables from chapter 23, he now shifts to a singular masculine pronoun. The simile of the unicorn is used again. (“God hath brought him forth out of Egypt…”) The rest of that verse continues the metaphor of the lion that was begun in the previous chapter. (Numbers 23:24, Psalm 2:9, 45:5, Jeremiah 50:17) None of His enemies shall be left standing when all is said and done. He will bask in His victories, as a lion that lays down in his den after devouring his prey. (v.9) Balaam closes this parable by repeating God’s promise to Abraham, even keeping the singular pronoun that God used in those proclamations. (Genesis 12:3, 27:29)
            There is a dual prophecy in verses 8-9. Balaam is speaking of the nation of Israel and her early victories that will come after entering the promised land. But he is also predicting the coming Messiah, the King of Kings and LORD of Lords, the One who will destroy all of Israel’s enemies in the last days of the Tribulation before establishing His millennial kingdom.
           
            Verses 10-19: Balak’s anger, of course, now reaches a boiling point, indicated by the phrase “…he smote his hands together…”. (v.10) (Ezekiel 21:14, 17) Rather than be humbled and corrected by Balaam’s words, the king’s heart hardens even further, and he orders Balaam to return home. (v.11) His claim that “…the LORD hath kept thee back from honour…” shows the extent of Balak’s sinful pride, as if he is the one who is right and Balaam deserves to be punished for disobedience!
            Balaam, nonplussed by Balak’s outburst, reminds the king yet again that he warned Balak he couldn’t say anything except what God allowed him to speak. (v.12-13) No amount of the king’s wealth and bestowed honor could override God’s sovereignty. But Balaam doesn’t stop there. He has one more prophecy to deliver before he returns to his homeland. (v.14) This one concerns the actions of Israel in the latter days against all her enemies. (Genesis 49:1, Deuteronomy 4:30, Daniel 2:28) Verses 15-16 echo verses 3-4, indicating once more that the spirit of God has come upon him directly.
            Once again, Balaam references both a specific person as well as the whole nation of Israel. The Moody Bible Commentary has this to say of verse 17: “Balaam envisioned this individual as a Star and a Scepter. A star was often mentioned in conjunction with royal figures (Isaiah 14:12, Matthew 2:2), and the scepter designated power and authority (Genesis 49:10, Psalm 45:6). While King David foreshadowed many of the predictions here, these images were clearly fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 2:2, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16).” This whole chapter contains one of the clearest and strongest Messianic prophecies in all of the OT.
          (NOTE: the Moody Institute scholars are not using the KJV 1611 Bible as their source for the cross reference of Isaiah 14:12. There is actually no mention of a star in that verse except in the other corrupted English translations of the Bible. Isaiah spoke of Lucifer in those verses, not Christ, and nowhere in scripture does God compare anyone other than His only son to a morning star. This is another example of how all the other English translations of the Bible – which are based on the corrupted manuscripts that came out of Alexandria, Egypt – seek to rob Jesus Christ of His rightful deity. In the case of that specific verse in Isaiah 14, to refer to Lucifer as the “morning star”, “star of the morning”, or “day-star” – all of which are used by the ASV, CEB, CSB, ESV, LSB, NASB, NIV, NLT, and RSV – is outright blasphemy. The other cross references from Hebrews, 2 Peter, and Revelation prove this point.)
       The conquest of Edom is predicted in verse 18. (2 Samuel 8:14) Verse 19 is possibly a dual reference to King David as well as the Messiah since David is the one that will eventually subdue Edom and many of the other nations of the promised land during his reign. (Genesis 49:10, Amos 9:11-12)
 
       Verses 20-25: Balaam closes with three more prophecies regarding the Amalekites, the Kenites, Asshur, and Eber. In verse 20 he names the Amalekites, who are the descendants of Esau, as “…the first of the nations…”, referring to their might and power. They were also one of the first nations to attack Israel right after the exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 17) But, in the end, they will be utterly destroyed by the seed of Jacob. Verse 21 references the fact that the Kenites are well known for building strongholds in the sides of cliffs, yet they will eventually fall captive to the dominant empire of Assyria (Asshur). (v.22) But even Assyria, along with Eber (Genesis 11:14-17), will one day fall to another power whose mighty ships will come from Cyprus (Chittim), a possible reference to the world domination of Greece and Rome. (v.24) (Genesis 10:4, Ezekiel 27:6, Daniel 11:30) Both Asshur and Eber exist within the greater area of Mesopotamia at this time which will one day be conquered by both Greece and Rome as they build their respective empires.
         When this last parable is concluded, Balaam and Balak go their separate ways. (v.25) Balaam’s life comes to a tragic end not long after this when he is slain by the very people about whom he prophesied. (Numbers 31:8)
 
        The sovereignty of God is absolute. Every atom, molecule, and speck of everything in this universe, both living and non-living, sentient and non-sentient, is under His absolute and infinite control. There is nothing that occurs, or that a man says or thinks or does, that is not already known to God long before that event, or choice, or word, or thought is planned, made, spoken, or formed. When He so chooses, God may reach down from His throne in the highest heaven to turn the mortal, weak tongue of a single man to speak only the words that the Lord puts in his mouth. Our free will is like ashes in the mighty wind of God’s sovereignty, and the fact that we are free to make any choice in anything at all is only by His grace and mercy. God still allowed Balaam a free will after his meeting with King Balak, and we know this because of his tragic end seven chapters later. Balaam was indwelt by Almighty God, possessed by His spirit, and yet Balaam still chose of his own free will to reject God and suffer damnation accordingly. On the flip side of that coin, the Israelites continually turned back to God of their own free will following His divine punishment for disobedience.
       God had chosen the seed of Abraham and Jacob to be consecrated especially to Him, a sacred people through whom would come the salvation for all mankind. No mere man would be allowed to curse those people, and the Israelites stood righteous and pure before God always, even now in our present age. The time is coming soon when God will gather His chosen people from the ends of the earth, and He will have a final reckoning with them before giving them absolute dominion over all the earth. The Messiah about whom Balaam prophesied in this chapter will return to earth in all His might and glory to reign for a thousand years from His throne in Jerusalem, and the children of Israel will be the firstborn of all nations once and for all time.
           Praise be to Almighty God, hallelujah and amen!