King James Version
The Book of Numbers
Chapter 24
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Commentary
Numbers 24
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.
Verses 1 - 9 tell us that God does smile on us when we are in His will. When we live as He has described for us to live, He will bless whom He will bless and He will curse whom He will curse. Certainly He won't curse Israel while they are abiding in His will. I don't think that the People know what battle threatens to erupt so close to the camp. I don't even think they realize how God speaks of them at that very moment.
We can be sure that today, even when we may not realize it, when we are abiding in Gods will, He does speak highly of us. He is on the ready for the opportunity to rain down on us a sequience of blessings that are unmatched by the artificial awes and wonders of the world. Not even an opposing force can break into the camp and stir up trouble. The enemy is always looking for or inventing weaknesses in Gods protective hedge. God will provide no such thing. Instead, we are tempted. If we indulge in any one of these "less than Godly" desires, we are he who provides the weakness in this protection.
God don't present these temptations and it is us who desire such things. He will bless whom He will bless and He will curse whom He will curse.
It IS up to us. Sure! The formula is written again and again as Gods unchanging hand pours blessings upon the faithful. He don't always single-handedly curse in every situation. Sometimes He will simply lift the protection from off of the People. These people were not in the military cabinet in Egypt. They were slaves. Sure, they may have fought among themselves, but that was likely more of a "slapping contest" that the kids do when they fuss.
What the People are up against, and they don't know that there is trouble stirring outside the camp, it isn't the armies of Balak, it is the faithfulness of the People. It is the will to refrain from partaking of the cursed things. This is both their offence and defence. Without it, they are defenseless. Once in a while they will have an ego crises and boast of "their" great victories.
Admittedly, it is hard to not gain some confidence when I overcome something that usually overcomes me. I would do well to not "let it go to my head".
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.
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.
Balaam shows more evidence that he wants paid, even though Balak was not satisfied. Balaam did do what he said he would do, and Balak was too stubborn to see that Balaam isn't going to use his trade skills to defy God. It's important to remember sometimes while we read this story that Balaam is a sorcerer by profession. God didn't even intend to use Balaam. That was all Balak's doing, or in this case, his UNdoing. Now Balaam is threatening to broadcast Balak's ill favor; his situation and what will become of him later. Balaam will advertise this to his people.
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.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Before Balak and Balaam parted ways, Balaam recited what he will say to his people about the ill fate of each of the factions in Balak's army. He goes on to disclose who he will say it to and what he will say.
This is a lot like some of us when we don't get what we want. Some of us will threaten to tell mom, or some of us will threaten to tell their significant other, or tell the church. We just want to run out and tell SOMEONE something that will make you look bad. Why is that?
Why do we want to go all out and mess up somebody's life for no greater motive than to exact revenge? God will bless whom He will bless and He will curse whom He will curse. Balaam can go and tell whoever he wants whatever he wants, but he better not do it in the name of God. Surely he learned a lesson this day, and surely he ought not to forget it.
Can we use this example in our own lives? Do we still need more examples before we can fully grasp the concept? The story does go on, so if you are one of the many of us who say, "that don't sound like my situation" then tune in for more, as I will continue this Journey Through The Bible.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
