Reflections on Numbers 24

Numbers 24 (Contemporary English Version)

1. Balaam was sure that the LORD would tell him to bless Israel again. So he did not use any magic to find out what the LORD wanted him to do, as he had the first two times. Instead, he looked out toward the desert
   
2. and saw the tribes of Israel camped below. Just then, God's Spirit took control of him,
   
3. and Balaam said: "I am the son of Beor, and my words are true, so listen to my message!
   
4. It comes from the LORD, the God All-Powerful. I bowed down to him and saw a vision of Israel.
   
5. "People of Israel, your camp is lovely.
   
6. It's like a grove of palm trees or a garden beside a river. You are like tall aloe trees that the LORD has planted, or like cedars growing near water.
   
7. You and your descendants will prosper like an orchard beside a stream. Your king will rule with power and be a greater king than Agag the Amalekite.
   
8. With the strength of a wild ox, God led you out of Egypt. You will defeat your enemies, shooting them with arrows and crushing their bones.
   
9. Like a lion you lie down, resting after an attack. Who would dare disturb you? "Anyone who blesses you will be blessed, anyone who curses you will be cursed."
   
10. When Balak heard this, he was so furious that he pounded his fist against his hand and said, "I called you here to place a curse on my enemies, and you've blessed them three times.
    
11. Leave now and go home! I told you I would pay you well, but since the LORD didn't let you do what I asked, you won't be paid."
    
12. Balaam answered, "I told your messengers
    
13. that even if you offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I would still obey the LORD. And I explained that I would say only what he told me.
    
14. So I'm going back home, but I'm leaving you with a warning about what the Israelites will someday do to your nation."
    
15. Balaam said: "I am the son of Beor, and my words are true, so listen to my message!
    
16. My knowledge comes from God Most High, the LORD All-Powerful. I bowed down to him and saw a vision of Israel.
    
17. "What I saw in my vision hasn't happened yet. But someday, a king of Israel will appear like a star. He will wipe out you Moabites and destroy those tribes who live in the desert.
    
18. Israel will conquer Edom and capture the land of that enemy nation.
    
19. The king of Israel will rule and destroy the survivors of every town there.
    
20. "And I saw this vision about the Amalekites: Their nation is now great, but it will someday disappear forever.
    
21. "And this is what I saw about the Kenites: They think they're safe, living among the rocks,
    
22. but they will be wiped out when Assyria conquers them.
    
23. "No one can survive if God plans destruction.
    
24. Ships will come from Cyprus, bringing people who will invade the lands of Assyria and Eber. But finally, Cyprus itself will be ruined."
    
25. After Balaam finished, he started home, and Balak also left.
    
    

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    The account of Balaam's prophecies concerning Israel continues through chapter 24. Though summoned by king Balak to prounounce a curse on the Israelites, Balaam used a combination of rituals to seek omens and of seeking the God of Israel to acquire the curse Balak sought. But he found that Israel's God put the words in his mouth he should speak to Balak and they were blessings rather than curses.  After twice conjuring the omens and seeking the word of the Lord, and both times the Lord putting a blessing in his mouth to speak, on his third attempt scripture says, "Since Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions." (24:1)
    
    Though there appear to be similarities between pagan and Christian practices in seeking God's favor, there is a significant difference in motive. At least with Christianity properly understood and practiced. In pagan practice, the religious rituals are used to manipulate the favor of the gods on behalf of the worshiper to gain the desire of the worshiper. Too often, this, too, is the practice of those who call themselves Christian. But a true disciple of Christ is concerned first that God's purposes are accomplished. Christ's prayer just prior to His crucifixtion is a perfect example. Wishing to escape the pain of the cross Jesus prayed that God might take this ordeal from Him, but His prayer was this, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me--nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) Though Jesus preferred not to endure the cross, His ultimate desire was that God's will be done. The disciple of Christ who desires God's will over his own will find that God blesses him in ways he had not considered. Ways that are far better than what he had in mind when he came to God to pray.
    
    Through his encounters with God, Balaam had his eyes opened to understand, somewhat, the nature of God and His relationship with Israel. Following his third message from God to king Balak, which was another blessing, Balak, in anger, sent Balaam away. But before he left, Balaam spoke a future prophecy concerning Moab and surrounding nations. It stated that Israel would triumph, but Edom and other surrounding nations would be destroyed. It was an amazingly accurate propchecy of what actually took place historically. We might be inclined to think of him as a follower of God, but scripture does not bear this out. Although he came to know God and even to obey Him in the speaking of God's messages to Balak, his understanding of God was corrupted by his heathen perceptions. He still had the mindset of manipulating God for his own purposes.