http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell Balaam and Balak Lesson Three Numbers 24:1-25
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 2 Text: Numbers 24:1-25, Balaam and Balak Lesson Three 1. And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4. He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6. As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. 10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 3 11. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. 12. And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13. If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? 14. And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 15. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16. He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17. I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18. And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 20. And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 21. And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23. And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24. And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 4 25. And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way. Introduction: I. In this chapter, Balaam s oracles number to five. This outline will correspond to that number. Commentary: Balaam s Third Oracle, Continued Numbers 24:1-14, And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 5 thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. I. The Third Oracle. 24:1-14 A. This time Balaam knew that the Lord was not going to do what Balak wanted done. 1. Rather than go up and seek the Lord s word, Balaam chose not to look for omens. a. However, the Lord s word found him! b. The word omen means to prognosticate via means not associated with God. i. Mostly, this was done by looking at birds and considering their flight or their chattering. ii. To the godly person this is most ridiculous; however, to one who knows no better, it is reality. c. In this context, it must be noted, the word omen is used in relation to the Lord. i. Thus, its general understanding is to apply, but the context in which it is used governs our understanding.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 6 2. In Numbers 24:2, teaches an important principle. a. If the Lord wants His will known, the person through whom He speaks does not have to be, necessarily, a godly person. 3. Israel is exalted by the Lord; comparisons are made to mighty trees. 4. Israel will have an abundance of prosperity (life) in their new land and, in time, Israel s king (nearly 400 years later) would be victorious over the Amalekites (cf. 1 Samuel 15). a. 1 Samuel 15:2-8, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 7 b. The name Agag is something similar to the words Pharaoh or Abimelech or President. c. A dynasty is probably in view. d. Numbers 24:8,9 amplifies the previous oracle of Numbers 23:24. i. Numbers 24:8, 9, God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. ii. Numbers 23:24, Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. 5. There is no stopping Israel. B. Balak was terribly angry with Balaam, but not so much that he sought to kill him. 1. Perhaps he had enough fear of Balaam to know that if God was going to speak through him, he was not to destroy the Lord s messenger. a. Jewish interpreters said that Balak wanted to humiliate Balaam and send him back as a complete
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 8 failure so he was to depart without escort (Chumash, p. 871). 2. Balaam reminded the king what he said to his delegates earlier (22:18; 24:13). Thus the king should not be upset. a. Numbers 22:18, And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. b. Numbers 24:13, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? i. Balaam, however, did not go without a final parting word (oracle) from the Lord. ii. Only this time Balaam related what Israel would do to King Balak s people in the latter days. Balaam s Fourth Oracle Numbers 24:15-19, And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 9 enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. I. The Fourth Oracle. 24:15-19. A. Balaam starts out with the authority of his word (24:15-16). B. He proclaims the Messianic last days (24:17-19). 1. There is some dispute over whether this is a Messianic prophecy. 2. The Chumash (p. 872-873) believes that it is, though they may not with precision identify the star with a scepter. 3. Some think it refers to David and others think it refers to the Messiah. a. These verses could apply to both (dual fulfillment). 4. This is a figure for a king (see also Isaiah 14:12) not only in the Bible but in the ancient Near Eastern literature as a whole. The immediate reference of the prophecy seems to be to David, but the eschatological theme goes beyond him. There is to be a connection made between this passage and the sighting of a star in its ascendancy by the magi, who then traveled to Bethlehem to see the one born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). The expression son of a star (Aram Bar Kochba) became a title for a later claimant to kingship, but he was doomed by the Romans in a.d. 135 (NET f/n; from www.bible.org).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 10 a. Isaiah 14:12, How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! b. Matthew 2:2, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Balaam s Fifth Oracle Numbers 24:20, And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. I. The Fifth Oracle. 24:20 A. Total destruction of Amalek. B. It is not certain if the first among nations refers to their military prowess, their arrogance, or that they were the first to stand against Israel. C. Exodus 17:8-16, Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 11 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Balaam s Sixth Oracle Numbers 24:21, 22, And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. I. The Sixth Oracle. 24:21, 11 A. The Kenites were descendents of Jethro, Moses father-in-law (Judges 1:16, 4:11). 1. Judges 1:16, And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. 2. Judges 4:11, Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. B. This oracle tells what will happen, not the why of it (perhaps in contrast to 24:20).
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 12 1. Numbers 24:20, And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 13 I. The Seventh Oracle. 24:23-25 Balaam s Seventh Oracle A. The meaning of Ships from Kittim is uncertain. 1. It has been suggested this could refer to Alexander the Great or even Rome in the fifth century B.C. B. Wenham (p. 182) thinks this refers to the Philistines; ultimately, their name was associated with the area and became known as Palestine. Conclusion: I. A final word: The last four oracles of Balaam were fulfilled, in part, during (by) the time of David. A. David was a great man in Israel s history. B. At this time David was an unknown, but as Israel looked back, they saw David in this. II. During the time of David, the prophet Nathan saw in these prophecies one even greater; thus, these oracles have come to be associated with the Messiah.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 14 Questions Numbers 24:1-25 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. Now when saw that it pleased the to bless, he did not resort to as at other times, but turned his face toward the. When looked out and saw encamped by, the of came upon him... 2. Can God be contacted by sorcery? Was Balaam a prophet of God or a sorcerer? Give reasons for your answer. 3. Did Balaam really see clearly, hear the words of God, see a vision from the Almighty and fall prostrate before God or was he just tooting his own horn? Give reasons for your answer. 4. How did Balaam describe Israel in verses 5-9?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 15 5. Who was Agag? Why was he mentioned in verse 7? 6. Balaam said of Israel, May those who you be and those who you be! 7. What was Balak s reaction to Balaam s blessing Israel in this manner? Why didn t Balak kill Balaam? 8. What was Balaam s reply, response to Balak? Was Balaam totally truthful in his reply? Did Balaam want to curse Israel? If so, why? 9. Was Balaam speaking the absolute truth in verses 15, 16? Explain your answer.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 16 10. Who was the star that would come out of Jacob, the scepter that would rise out of Israel? 11. When did he crush the foreheads of Moab? 12. Who were the sons of Sheth and when did the scepter out of Israel crush their skulls? 13. What was to happen to Edom? Who or what is Seir? 14. Who was the Israelite ruler who would destroy the survivors of what city?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 17 15. What prophesy did Balaam issue regarding Amalek? How could it be said that Amalek was first among the nations? When did Amalek come to ruin? 16. What oracle did Balaam issue in regard to the Kenites? Who were the Kenites? Who was Asshur?? When was this oracle fulfilled? 17. Locate the shores of Kittim. Who was Asshur? Who was Eber? What would happen to them? 18. Then got up and and went his. 19. Was Balaam s efforts to help Balak a total failure?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.com 18 20. Why did Balaam attempt to curse Israel? Whatever happened to Balaam anyway? (Numbers 31:7, 8; Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15).