King James Version
The Book of Numbers
Chapter 22
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Commentary
Numbers 22
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
Moab didn't see it the way that it actually was, or maybe he is deceiving himself and the elders of Midian. He illistrated a multitude of multitudes of people refered to as "this comany". I see here both a deliberate lie and a deception. Moab refered to the People as "this company" in hope to cause Balak to believe that Moab was not so intimately aquanted with Israel.It seems to me that Moab was altogether deceiving Balak and deliberately.
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
Balaam, the son of Beor, was from Pethor in Mesopotamia (Deuteronomy 23:4). He was a very influential sorcerer who, although aware of the true God, made his services available on a freelance basis. Near the end of their Wilderness Journey, as the Israelites under Moses (Aaron had died shortly before, Numbers 20:22-29) were advancing north into Moab just prior to their turning west to cross The Jordan River, King Balak of Moab hired Balaam to perform the impossible task of stopping them (Numbers chapters 22-24).
With the Israelites approaching, King Balak sent messengers to Balaam to get him to put a curse on the Israelites (Numbers 22:5-7). The Lord however appeared to Balaam and warned him not to do it (Numbers 22:12).
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
Balaam's sorcery is apparently famous. Balak sent word that Balaam should curse the people and Balaak believed that Balaam can do it as spoken.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
Balaam began the aquantance of the messagers of Balak by representing the will of God, for he said that he will bring word again, as the LORD shall speak unto him.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
Whatever sorcery Balaam had exercised in the past is no longer any influence to him now. He did come in the Name of the LORD, and now he WILL comply with the Word of God. Even if he intended to use God's Name in vain, it is no longer a factor. God was addressed in this situation and He has chosen to be a part of this endeavor.
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
In verse 9, God came unto Balaam as Balaam did introduce the LORD in this matter. What is interesting here is that God asked Balaam, "what men are these with thee?" I notice a lot of time when God is dealing one-on-one with a person, He will begin with a question that we know quite well that He already has the answer to it. His purpose in this is the confession. God will begin an encounter with a man on a purpose. He will begin to require of the man a repentance, a reverence, a respect above any other. He will begin His talk with us today to have us give account of our motive in the situation.
We know well that each person has a specific role in any situation. Each person would benefit much to identify and understand his own role in the situation with an open mind; always considering the welfare and outcome in others' part.
1 Cor 10:24
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
(KJV)
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
Now the messagers want Balaam to believe that this is a very big problem and that it is important. They even brought rewards of divination. I'm sure it's only an advance in the balance; something to appeal to Balaam's lust for his own wealth.
You see, Balak knew the profile of Balaam that divination of glitze and bling would interest Balaam, and that it should be an easy enough thing to get Balaam interested. Balaam might have been interested in the job from the begining because he did sound like a big shot back there when he told the messagers that he would speak as the LORD shall speak.
These people all knew who each were dealing with. I'm sure they all knew the word that is out about the mysterious wonders that seem to randomly manifest in favor the the People. I'm equally sure that the nations all around knew that God did not always deliver the People a victory. By now, it is almost a certainty that all of the nations know that when the People sin against their God, they are somehow weak, and subject to defeat.
It's almost like taking a chance, a very real gamble for a nation to come against this People of God.
Unless the opposing nation is certain that the People are in sin, the chances of victory is undecided. The goal would seem logical to cause these people to sin, and then to attack them! We will get into that when we get there.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
God will not allow Balaam to go with them. Maybe Balaam thought about all that money that the messagers brought to him, as a security deposit. In any case, Balaam is not going to go in the Name of God. It seems to me that God will have His own plan. He told Balaam that He would not allow His Blessed to be cursed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
Balaam did tell the messagers that he was not at liberty to speak for God. This situation seems a little bit awkward for me. I mean, God will have in the past required that a person come to Him, but not in this case. God went to Balaam this time. Perhaps it was to intercept any intentions to use God's reputation as a leverage, or to "sweeten the pot". God knows how such things have a way of comming to an uncomely end. Balaam was all for the deception way, for he was a well known sorcerer, after all.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
Balak sweetens the pot, just as Balaam would like to have happen. Let's just see what angle he can work.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
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.
Now Balaam clearly exclaimed the will of God in this petition. Balaam did refuse, and without hesitation. However, Balak's messagers did come again to ask, and Balaam probably does like this honor. I mean, the messagers are not the common kind. They are princes this time. What will Balaam do? I'm sure you guessed by now that Balaam will make an appeal to God.
Think about this for a minute. I don't want to lose you here. Balaam is experiencing direct communication with God. It is a certainty that God will not allow His Blessed People be cursed. What's the point in asking God a second time. Really, now, Balaam knew the first time that God would not allow His People to be cursed. Balaam specifically pointed out that he was going to speak as God would speak. When that happened just as Balaam had said, he ought to have known right then and there that God was not going to allow His People to be cursed.
It could be played by a different angle. Balak could have discerned that the People are in good standing with their God evidenced by the simple fact that God is refusing the curse idea. I can almost see a plan formulating in the mind of Balak. Can you?
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
God decided to take an active role in the plan. Surely He will not allow the People to be cursed, so He must have something else in store. Now he tells Balaam that if the men call on him, go and do His will, say His words.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Balaam skipped a step just there. We do the same thing in very obvious ways everyday of our lives. When God tells us an exact way to do something, consider it more than a clue that He is requesting exact because He requires exact results. We fall short. We cut corners or whatever it takes to come the the destination "right now". God's anger was kindled that Balaam went with the princes. Balaam was specifically told to go ONLY IF the men called on him again. Maybe God would have put fear in the hearts of the princes. Maybe they would have left without Balaam as a result if this fear.
Balaam didn't wait for a call. Balaam presumed that God changed His mind. This Balaam character isn't turning out to be all that bright after all. Peter should have refered to Balaam as the "dumb ass". 2 Peter 2:16
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
We know well how God's anger can be. The angel was with sword in hand, ready to smite Balaam for going along, and not as the LORD had commanded him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
The "dumb ass" as Peter calls him, don't seem all that dumb in this verse. Somebody ought to smite Balaam on the head while the smiting is going on. In a time when God performs supernatural wonders, Balaam decides to manipulate any angle he can. He is either very stupid, or he is, well let's just leave that where it's at.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
Now where are you going to go, Balaam? The ass is seeing the angel. Balaam is not seeing the angel. Balaam cannot look upon the Glory of God, so Balaam "sees through a glass dimly". If Balaam were in good standing with God, perhaps he'd see the angel. Perhaps, he's not even be on this mission. We can't assume anything with this guy. He is sneaky.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
How many of us today have our own "dumb ass"? Don't act like you don't know what I mean. This donkey is doing the right thing here. Balaam is on death row here and the donkey is saving his life. Oh, don't thank the donkey. Hit him in the head for being stupid. This donkey is Balaam's animal. The two know each other well. Balaam hasn't been showing much evidence of being very intelligent so far, but I'd think he'd want to know what's wrong with his donkey instead of beating on him.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
The angel has Balaam trapped now. If He wanted to, he could have simply swooped over and killed Balaam. I notice that God will tarry sometimes, to give a person time to repent. God is definately being patient with Balaam right now. God is showing evidence that Balaam isn't very intelligent. He is angry, and will stop Balaam if Balaam don't stop on his own free will. God will not allow Balaam to go in His name to curse the People.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Balaam had a single purpose. He meant only to keep up with the princes so that he will also appear regal and enjoy the benefit of traveling with royalty. All he sees is this "dumb ass" deciding to pick this time, of all times, to be stubborn. Balaam hits his donkey with his staff this time. Ouch!
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Here is evidence that God can do whatever He wants to. The next time someone comes to you and tells you that he or she has a word from the Lord, it is not at all impossible for God to speak through ANYONE. Balaam is a sorcerer and God came to him and spoke to him. When Balaam decided to work his hand to benefit in this somehow, God decided to insult him by speaking through his "dumb ass". If Balaam didn't understand God before, maybe he can understand a "dumb ass".
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
Okay, so did we miss something here? Balaam didn't even flinch when the donkey spoke. Imagine your dog’s first words. Would you want him or her to say," why are you hitting on me? I didn't do anything wrong!" He understood the "dumb ass" completely. He'd even KILL his donkey. That's how angry he is for not being able to keep up with the princes.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
Even the "dumb ass" knows that they have been together for a very long time, and that they ought to know each other well. At this point, maybe the "dumb ass" ought to spell it out for Balaam, the Sorcerer.
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
Now that God allowed Balaam to see what was happening with the donkey, Balaam fell to his face in worship, as he ought to have done from the start. Now, with the sword drawn and his life in danger, he humbles.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
What do we do today, when our way is blocked, and we can't see the angel with the sword? There is a way that seems right to a person, but the end thereof is death. If it's not a plan ordained by God, it's not going to be the "easy yoke and light burden" that Jesus promised us. Don't be like Nike, and DON'T DO IT.
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
Every coward tries this tactic. "I'll just be on my way then."
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
This is obviously good news for Balaam. Now he can catch up with the princely company and travel in style, without the wrath of God blocking his way.
As I sat in jail, I imagined that when I get out I would do my very best to remain close by the side of God, to hear His instruction and receive His guidance. I was in the jail, with steel doors blocking my way. My way was evil. God was blocking me from my own death. I was the "dumb ass" and I'd beat myself in the head for not staying on the path, and for not keeping up with the royal caravan.
36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
Balaam's words are those of wisdom. Maybe after all he will carry out God's will without fail. Again, he announces to Balak that he will only speak the word of the Lord. Balak ought to know that God won't come against His own People, especially while they are in His Will.
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth.
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
(KJV)
Satan done this while Jesus was fasting. Took him to the high places to see all before Him. That is another story.
Monday, December 14, 2009
