Wandering in the Wilderness: Reflections from the book of Numbers,3500 years to Covid-19
Read chapters 22-24 before you read this text.
To view this online as a video: https://youtu.be/GhXk4BsJg44
Lesson Ten: Balaam, a donkey and the blessing of God
Introduction
Overview
[For those online, see this book overview from The Bible Project (https://youtu.be/tp5MIrMZFqo)]
We are looking at the traveling of the Jewish people in the book of Numbers, titled in Hebrew “Bamidbar” or “In the wilderness.” With Covid-19 having its way throughout the UK, the US and throughout our world, with US political turmoil and inaugural activity, with the continuing uncertainty that almost defined the year 2020, I believe the world is still in a wilderness and God’s answers for us are found in the pages of this book.
There are three theses that pop up often in this book of the Bible:
1) The goal of our wandering was another place: Israel
2) God is to be central to our marching and in our living
3) The authority of the Lord and his anointed is often front and centre.
B. Today’s study: Balaam, a donkey and the blessing of God
Do you know the story of the prophet, the king and the donkey? There really are loads of stories within the story today and I’m going to showcase them in a way which makes the whole thing almost bite-sized. I’m hoping that your takeaway today will involve greater trust in the Lord and the assurance that his promises will be fulfilled. If for ancient Israel, then certainly for you as well.
Balak sends for the prophet to curse Israel
As the trio of chapters begin, we meet a man named Balak, the king of Moab, who is watching the news reports and hearing about a marauding horde (Hebrew: kahal= congregation) of former slaves, now almost 40 years removed from their slavery in Egypt. He hears of their military might and he also hears of their deity. As a pagan leader in the Middle East, he still has reverence for spirituality and knows that you have to fight fire with fire. In this case, he checks with his advisers and some cousins across the plains, and comes up with a plan to invite a Mesopotamian named Balaam to come and battle the Hebrews as they approach his territory. He wants Balaam to curse the Jewish people. Verse 6 says, “I know that whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” The king therefore is inviting Balaam to come and curse the Jewish people. Simple. Straightforward. Direct.
A quick review of these names. Midian was firstly a person. He was the son of Abraham. Abraham's great grandson Joseph, after being thrown into a pit by his brothers, was sold to Midianites. Moses spent 40 years in voluntary exile in Midian after killing an Egyptian. Moses’ father in law, Jethro, was a Midianite priest, and an honoured guest in Israel’s tents. Midian is also a geographical place mentioned in Torah. William G. Dever states that biblical Midian was in the "northwest Arabian Peninsula, on the east shore of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea.” Rabbi Hertz says “The plot of the Moabites and Midianites against Israel was thus the outcome of ‘causeless hatred’, the source of the most terrible cruelties in human relations.
Balaam was a prophet. Rudd says, “The enterprise implies a faith in the automatic power of the spoken word in the mouth of the seer or prophet.”
What he would determine is what would happen. That makes Balak’s choice all that much easier. Balaam lived in Pethor, near the Euphrates River. (Deut. 23.4) and was a prophet-for-hire, almost a spiritual mercenary. His reputation was international and he used divination for personal gain. Divination is receiving hidden knowledge, especially about the future. And he was well paid for his services.
So the hireling turned to go curse the god of the Jews, whoever that was. Then Elohim comes to Balaam that night asking ‘who are those men?’ (verse 9) which sounds like a leading question from the Garden of Eden. Balaam answers the Lord with the narrative and God declares in verse 12 “Don’t go” That should be the end of the story. Except that there are ‘instruments of the diviner’s art’ (verse 7) or a compensation for this enterprise. Balaam self-teases, ruined by his own lust for reward. Or so we shall see.
The emissaries return to Balak with the news of Balaam’s refusal. (v. 14). Balak imagines that Balaam is holding out for a better offer and sends more, more people, more noble, and more cash. Again Balaam considers their offer, prays again in some way, and this time the Almighty allows him to go, with a caveat that Balaam should only speak what he hears from God. (v. 20)
It’s as if God’s permissive will is allowing the hireling to go to do what he is itching to do anyway. God has already spoken. His word and his desire is already known. Balaam is looking for a reconsideration, but only to line his own pockets. He tells the emissaries “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold” (v. 18) which is his way of saying, I can use more cash to sweeten the deal, thanks.
The Donkey and the prophet
The story of Balaam and the donkey is riveting and almost Aesop-like. Most rabbis follow the interpretations of Saadyah and the Rambam that this is a dream. In Pirkei Avot, the mouths are stated as having been created nearly 2500 years before in the Creation story. What mouths? Those of the earth that swallowed Korah (chapter 16), the well (chap. 21), and this donkey’s mouth. It’s how some deal with miracles.
God was angry (v. 22) and the Angel of the Lord is sent to prevent Balaam from his planned prophecy. [The Midrash says, “this was an angel of mercy who desired to restrain him from committing a sin and perishing.”] Balaam’s donkey sees the Angel of the Lord and tries to avoid crossing him. Three times! Finally the donkey sits, as they do. And Balaam strikes her a third time. Finally the donkey speaks. The comic irony is palpable.
“What have I done to you, that you have you struck me these three times?” (.28) Wait, there are only three fellows there (.22) and a talking donkey. Balaam seems not to be surprised at this conversation. That’s what makes this Aesop-like or possibly a dream to me. Balaam says ‘you mocked me’ and threatens her more.
Verse 31 we see God in action, opening the eyes of Balaam to the angel. We note the fair treatment of animals being hinted in verse 32. By the way, the word used in .22 and again in .32 for ‘adversary’ is l’satan. Adversary against your evil self. I like that God gets involved to stand against the wrong in us, at times. Balaam even admits to his sin. (. 34) Praise the Lord.
Balak and Balaam meet up
The rest of chapter 22 showcases the arrival and ceremony of the welcome. It would have been like the pageantry of the US inauguration we saw this week on our televisions. Massive banquets (v.40) and ceremonial scaffolding on the high places (23.1-2) and abundance of sacrifices attending the events.
Chapter 23 includes three prophecies/ oracles by Balaam, none of which makes Balak happy. First at Baal, second at Pisgah, and third at Peor. For instance in the first, verse 8, “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?” Balak is furious. “What have you done to me?” (v 11) It’s all so personal. After another major spectacle, Balaam goes back to work and this time reminds Balak “God is not a man that he should repent” (v. 19) In other words, God has already spoken and declared his blessing over Israel. No going back. No curse will be forthcoming.
This phrase about God not being a man has been used by some Jewish people against the belief that Yeshua is the Messiah. The point of this statement however is to highlight that God is not capricious and changes his mind on a whim or when prompted by some prophet. Balaam is saying God is not like man, not that he’s not a man.
The third episode is at Peor (23.27-24.9) and again blessing is all that comes out. Mah tovu ohalecha” is sung, and to this day continues to be sung in synagogues and Jewish homes. The blessing is reiterated. Hopes dashed. Balak is angry! (.24.10) Balaam is unrelenting. He says, “I told you so!” (.12-14)
Balaam’s final words, or are they
His fourth prophecy begins in verse 12. It shows us a future conqueror which has a double fulfillment. Someone is coming to arise out of Judah to batter the brow of Moab. That is fulfilled first in 2 Sam 8.2-14 with David beating Moab and Edom. But this prefigures the Messiah, the star to arise out of Jacob. (Col. 2.15, 1 Cor. 15.25, Rev. 20.10, .14). The cochav (star) is a messianic title. Rabbi Akiva applied this verse to Bar Koziba in the reign of the emperor Hadrian (132-135 CE). Bar Koziba was the military leader of the last Jewish War of Independence against Rome. Akiba changed his name from Koziba to Kochba, because of this prophecy. But that revolt failed. And Rabbi Akiba was wrong. The fulfillment of course, was the true Messiah, Yeshua, who had won the victory 100 years before.
Final thoughts on Balaam
The Newer Testament uses Balaam as an example three times in the last books. Even though we think Balaam did well, and only blessed the Jewish people, the NT references the way of Balaam (2 Peter 2.15), the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2.14) and the error of Balaam. (Jude 11). The way, loving money over right living. The teaching included adulterating the Jewish people’s holy standards of living. The error has to do with the complete framework of walking away from God.
How do we know this happened? The counsel of Balaam is hinted in chapter 25 verse 1:
“While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab.”
But it’s clarified later on in Numbers:
Num. 31:16 “Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD.
Balaam looks like a good guy. He failed the Jewish people in the end. His curse was not broadcast in the hearing of Balak; it was whispered in the secret places among the Midianites, and the people of Israel fell yet again.
Balaam loved money and gave Balak ample opportunity to give him plenty of it. The Midianites no doubt, fed him plenty and gave him his prophetic due. Midian succeeded in capturing many Jewish people through their interactions with the Midianite women. Hertz says, “When Balaam’s enthusiasm for Israel and righteousness had died away, sinking back into the old sorcerer, and telling the Moabites and Midianites that, though he could not curse the Israelites, he knew a way whereby the Israelites would curse themselves.” (page 681)
This section of Torah means a lot to me. The star, Messiah, arising out of Jacob and Judah. The dangers of listening to wrong counsel. The dangers of financial lures to preachers.
Invitation
Dear friends, if you have never asked Yeshua to be your Saviour, today as we reboot our class in 2021, would you choose to believe the Lord of life? He is the source of healing for the virus of sin which has captured the world since Eve and Adam sinned in the Garden. He’s the One who can overcome the plagues of evil which highlight the planet in Washington, DC, in the conflicts between governments, in conflicts between the peoples of the world… Look up to Him and be saved!
If you’d like to do that today, just now, join me as we pray.
Say something like this: “Father in Yeshua’s name, forgive me my sin, I was wrong to dismiss you and to disbelieve in you. I need your mercy. You desire to bless and not to curse. I deserve punishment but you are kind and merciful and I receive your grace. I receive Yeshua as my saviour and Lord. I look up to him who was lifted on the pole of the cross. I will live because of my faith in Messiah Yeshua. Amen.
If you prayed that, please let us know of your profession by writing straightaway, won’t you? Bob@JewsforJesus.org.au We’d love to hear from you.
Conclusion
We are delighted to be meeting again on Friday mornings. Please stay with us during these next 5 weeks and learn with the others how you can stay on track in 2021 and beyond. And in the D-Groups, you will work this out with others, as a community on the march. If you have not yet joined a weekly Discipleship Group, please re-consider that and join us as we dig deeper.
I hope to see you next week as we study chapter 25, and learn about Pinchas, more about blessings and curses on the Jewish people, about serious sin and God’s forgiveness. Hope to see you then, and until then, continue to stay safe, love one another, believe even if the report is the minority report, and shout Hallelujah to the Lord of life for all he has done for us all. Shabbat shalom!
The three theses:
4) The goal of our wandering was another place: Israel
5) God is to be central to our marching and in our living
6) Authority of the Lord and his anointed is not to be missed
Bibliography
Budd, Philip, Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 5. Numbers. Word, Waco, 1984.
Hertz, Rabbi Dr JH, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, Soncino, London, 1978.
Pakula, Martin, Numbers: Homeward Bound, Aquilla Press, Sydney, 2006.
Weirsbe, Warren. Be Counted. David C. Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs,1999.
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D-Groups for this week
1) Tuesday 11 am Sydney time. Led by James Howse
2) Thursday 7 pm, Sydney time, led by James White
(Contact our office for zoom details)
If you’d like to host a D-Group either online or in person, please contact bob@jewsforjesus.org.au for further details. It’s time to step up. Ponder this—who will be in your D-Group?
The Scriptures read in today’s lesson: Numbers chapters 22-24
Then the sons of Israel journeyed on and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.
2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.3 So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. 4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this [a]horde will eat up all that is around us, as the ox eats up the grass of the field!” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is near the Euphrates River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call for him, saying, “Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they have covered the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me.6 Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too [b]mighty for me; perhaps I will be able to [c]defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left with the fees fordivination in their hands; and they came to Balaam and [d]repeated Balak’s words to him. 8 And he said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you just as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me: 11 ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt, and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam got up in the morning and said to Balak’s representatives, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” 14 And the representatives from Moab got up and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15 Then Balak sent representatives once again, more numerous and more distinguished than [e]the previous. 16 They came to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak the son of Zippor says: ‘I beg you, let nothing keep you from coming to me; 17 for I will indeed honor you richly, and I will do whatever you tell me. Please come then, curse this people for me.’” 18 But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the [f]command of the Lord my God. 19 Now please, you also stay here tonight, and I will find out what else the Lord will say to me.”20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise and go with them; but you shall do only the thing that I tell you.”
21 So Balaam arose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab.
The Angel and Balaam
22 But God was angry that he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, the donkey turned off from the road and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey to guide her back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lordstood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a stone wall on this side and on that side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right or to the left.27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lordopened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “It is because you have made a mockery of me! If only there had been a sword in my hand! For I would have killed you by now!”30 But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing such a thing to you?” And he said, “No.”
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lordstanding in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed [g]all the way to the ground. 32 Then the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was reckless and contrary to me. 33 But the donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I certainly would have killed you just now, and let her live.” 34 So Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.” 35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word that I [h]tell you.” So Balaam went along with the representatives of Balak.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, [i]at the extreme end of the border. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send word to you to call for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?” 38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you now! Am I really able to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that only shall I speak.” 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent some to Balaam and the leaders who were with him.
41 Then it came about in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to [j]the high places of Baal, and he saw from there [k]a portion of the people.
The Prophecies of Balaam
23 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.” 2 Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on eachaltar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a bare hill.
4 Now God met with Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have set up the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.” 5 Then the Lordput a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you shall speak.” 6 So he returned to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, he and all the leaders of Moab. 7 And he took up his discourse and said,
“From Aram Balak has brought me,
Moab’s king from the mountains of the East, saying,
‘Come, declare Jacob cursed for me,
And come, curse Israel!’
8 How am I to put a curse on him upon whom God has not put a curse?
And how am I to curse him whom the Lord has not cursed?
9 For I see him from the top of the rocks,
And I look at him from the hills;
Behold, a people that lives in isolation,
And does not consider itself to be among the nations.
10 Who has counted the dust of Jacob,
Or the number of the fourth part of Israel?
May [l]I die the death of the upright,
And may my end be like his!”
11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to put a curse on my enemies, but behold, you have actually blessed them!” 12 He replied, “Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”
13 Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from where you may see them, although you will only see the extreme end of them and will not see all of them; and put a curse on them for me from there.” 14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Then he said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering while I myself meet the Lord over there.” 16 Then the Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you shall speak.” 17 So he came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lordspoken?” 18 Then he took up his discourse and said,
“Arise, Balak, and hear;
Listen to me, son of Zippor!
19 God is not a man, that He would lie,
Nor a son of man, that He would change His mind;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
20 Behold, I have received a command to bless;
When He has blessed, I cannot revoke it.
21 He has not looked at misfortune in Jacob;
Nor has He seen trouble in Israel;
The Lord his God is with him,
And the joyful shout of a king is among them.
22 God brings them out of Egypt,
He is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
23 For there is no magic curse against Jacob,
Nor is there any divination against Israel;
At the proper time it shall be said to Jacob
And to Israel, what God has done!
24 Behold, a people rises like a lioness,
And like a lion it raises itself;
It will not lie down until it devours the prey,
And drinks the blood of those slain.”
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all nor bless them at all!” 26 But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘[m]Whatever the Lord speaks, I must do’?”
27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will be [n]agreeable with God that you curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the [o]desert. 29 And Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.” 30 Balak did just as Balaam had said, and offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
The Prophecy from Peor
24 When Balaam saw that it [p]pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to [q]seek omens, rather he turned his [r]attention toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel [s]camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3 Then he took up his discourse and said,
“The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the declaration of the man whose eye is opened;
4 The declaration of him who hears the [t]words of God,
Who sees the vision of [u]the Almighty,
Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered,
5 How pleasant are your tents, Jacob,
Your dwelling places, Israel!
6 Like [v]valleys that stretch out,
Like gardens beside a river,
Like aloes planted by the Lord,
Like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from his buckets,
And his seed will be by many waters,
And his king shall be higher than Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brings him out of Egypt,
He is for him like the horns of the wild ox.
He will devour the nations who are his adversaries,
And will crush their bones,
And smash them with his arrows.
9 He [w]crouches, he lies down like a lion,
And like a lioness, who [x]dares to rouse him?
Blessed is everyone who blesses you,
And cursed is everyone who curses you.”
10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his [y]hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! 11 So [z]flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the Lordhas held you back from honor.” 12 And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not in fact tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, 13 ‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anythingcontrary to the [aa]command of the Lord, either good or bad, of my own [ab]accord. What the Lord speaks, I will [ac]speak’? 14 So now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you of what this people will do to your people in the [ad]days to come.”
15 Then he took up his discourse and said,
“The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the declaration of the man whose eye is opened,
16 The declaration of him who hears the [ae]words of God,
And knows the knowledge of the [af]Most High,
Who sees the vision of [ag]the Almighty,
Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now;
I look at him, but not near;
A star shall appear from Jacob,
A scepter shall rise from Israel,
And shall smash the [ah]forehead of Moab,
And overcome all the sons of Sheth.
18 And Edom shall be a possession,
Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession,
While Israel performs valiantly.
19 One from Jacob shall rule,
And will eliminate the survivors from the city.”
20 And he looked at Amalek and took up his discourse and said,
“Amalek was the first of the nations,
But his end shall be [ai]destruction.”
21 And he looked at the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said,
“Your dwelling place is enduring,
And your nest is set in the cliff.
22 Nevertheless Kain will suffer devastation;
How long will Asshur [aj]keep you captive?”
23 Then he took up his discourse and said,
“Oh, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,
And they shall oppress Asshur and oppress Eber;
So they also will come to destruction.”
25 Then Balaam arose, and he departed and returned to his place, and Balak also went on his way.
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