Read Numbers 22:36–24:25
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Balak respond to the news that Balaam is coming (Numbers 22:36-37)? What does Balaam answer (Numbers 22:38)? How does Balak try to bring him over to Moab’s side (Numbers 22:39-40)? But what has YHWH instructed to be done there instead (Numbers 23:1–4)? What does YHWH put into Balaam’s mouth (Numbers 23:5-10)? What is the competition (Numbers 23:7-8)? But which is already, clearly winning (Numbers 23:9-10, cf. Genesis 13:36)? What does Balaam desire, upon seeing this (Numbers 23:10c–d)? How do Balak, and then Balaam, respond (Numbers 23:11-12)? What does Balak seem to think was the problem (Numbers 23:13)? How do they proceed this time (Numbers 23:14-17)? How has God responded to the idea that a new prophetic vantage point might change the message (Numbers 23:18-20)? Upon what basis is YHWH relating to Israel (Numbers 23:21a–c)? What is He to them (Numbers 23:21-22)? Whose God cannot be manipulated (Numbers 23:23)? What is the strength of their position (Numbers 23:24)? How do Balak, and then Balaam, respond (Numbers 23:25-26)? What does Balak seem to think will change God’s mind (Numbers 23:27-28)? How do they proceed this third time (Numbers 23:29-30)? But what does Balaam do differently his time (Numbers 24:1–2)? And what is changed in Balaam (Numbers 24:3-4)? What has YHWH created in Israel as their King (Numbers 24:5-7)? What has He done, and what will He do, to bring this about (Numbers 24:8-9b)? What hope is there for those who are not (yet) members of this kingdom (Numbers 24:9c–d, cf. Genesis 12:3, Psalm 2:12d)? How does Balak respond this time (Numbers 24:10)? What does he say Balaam has lost (Numbers 24:11)? How does Balaam respond to this (Numbers 24:12-13)? What does he now volunteer to prophesy (Numbers 24:14)? What does he repeat about himself (Numbers 24:15-16; cf. Numbers 24:3-4)? About Whom does he prophesy (Numbers 24:17)? Whom will this new King conquer and destroy (Numbers 24:18-24)? Who decides who lives (Numbers 24:23b)? What does Balaam do when he finishes this prophecy (Numbers 24:25)?
How can God’s enemies survive? Numbers 22:36–24:25 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the only way to survive death and the last day is through faith in Christ.
Desperate Ignorance. When Balak hears that Balaam is finally coming, he hurries to meet him at the border and confronts him about the delay (Numbers 22:36-37). Balaam responds that Balak still might not get what he wants (Numbers 22:38). Balak attempts to bring Balaam over to Moabite thinking with a sacrificial feast of his own (Numbers 22:39-41), as if the power is in the prophet himself. But Balaam has been instructed to offer a sevenfold sacrifice to YHWH (Numbers 23:1–4).
When Balaam has left Balak to meet YHWH, and reported the sevenfold sacrifice, YHWH puts a prophecy in Balaam’s mouth and sends him back (Numbers 23:5-6). He reports the circumstances, but then asserts that Israel’s holiness to God (Numbers 23:9), and the fulfillment of God’s promise about them (Numbers 23:10a–b, cf. Genesis 13:16). Balaam, implying that we all must die, expresses his desire not to perish in his sins, but to die as one who is right with God like Israel (Numbers 23:10c–d).
Balak is offended (Numbers 23:11), Balaam reminds him that he must prophecy what YHWH says (Numbers 23:12), and Balak thinks that perhaps the problem was how many Israelites Balaam could see while he prophesied. So, Balak takes Balaam to a vantage point where he can see just a few Israelites (Numbers 23:13-17).
Now, the new prophecy is that God’s decree cannot be changed (Numbers 23:18-20); indeed there is no sorcery or divination permitted in Israel (Numbers 23:23, “in” better than NKJ’s “against”), because the true and living God cannot be manipulated. How many have treated religion as a way to manipulate God! God is treating Israel not according to their own sin, but according to His own personal kingship over and among them (Numbers 23:21). This is why they are indomitable (Numbers 23:22, Numbers 23:24).
Balak is frustrated again, but this time he thinks that if a change in vantage point hasn’t worked, maybe a change in geography will change YHWH’s mind (Numbers 23:25-30). Balak’s desperation is exceeded only by his ignorance. Like many foolish professing Christians today, he thinks that the power may be in the man (celebrity preacher?), in our own perspective, or in some ability to get God to do what we want. This is the opposite of true religion, in which God works to conform us to what He wants.
Newfound Understanding. Balaam, it seems, has been trying to manipulate God like Balak still hopes to, but Balaam has learned from the second prophecy, and alters his approach (Numbers 24:1). When the Spirit of God comes upon him (Numbers 24:2), the first thing that he says in each of these last two prophecies is that he has had an epiphany (Numbers 24:3-4, Numbers 24:15-16). In the third, he describes YHWH-indwelt Israel as a sort of Eden-camp (Numbers 24:5-7b) with YHWH as its resident King (Numbers 24:7c–d). All its enemies will be destroyed (Numbers 24:8-9b). If Balak was paying attention, he would see the one way to escape this fate: bless Israel, bow to her King, kiss the Son before His wrath is quickly kindled (Numbers 24:9c–d, cf. Genesis 12:3, Psalm 2:12d).
But Balak chooses death, rejecting the offer, and attacking both YHWH and His prophet (Numbers 24:10-11). Balaam then proceeds to prophesy not just about the present condition of Israel, but about how their blessedness comes to fulfillment. He prophesies about a King arising from Israel as a star (Numbers 24:17, cf. Revelation 22:16). In Numbers 24, this is a mystery. With God Himself as King, why would ultimate victory and blessedness be tied to the rise of another one? The prophecy of the scepter (cf. Genesis 49:10) provides some background, but this side of Pentecost, we know exactly Who this is and why. It is in Christ’s kingship that the kingdom of God ultimately destroys all enemies (Numbers 24:18-24).
Dear reader, death is inevitable, as is the destruction those who resist being ruled by King Jesus. But, through faith in Him, you may die the death of the righteous. And blessed are those who bless Him. Kiss the Son; blessed are all who trust in Him!
How have you tried to manipulate God? How have you submitted to Christ’s kingship? What hope do you have?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for resisting Your authority and trying to manipulate You. Count us righteous through faith in Christ, and bring us into His own blessedness, with Him as our King, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH2B “Why Do Heathen Nations Rage?”
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