NUMBERS LESSON 29
We will begin this lesson in Numbers 23:1 "And Balaam said unto
Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and
seven rams." Numbers 23:2 "And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and
Balak and Balaam offered on [every] altar a bullock and a ram."
It seems that even the heathen worshippers of false gods,
believed it necessary to sacrifice to their god. We must remember that
the number seven means spiritually complete. This offering is actually
made to the LORD. Balak is unaware of the message Balaam will bring,
at this point. He believes Balaam is going to curse Israel.
Numbers 23:3 "And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt
offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me:
and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high
place."
Balak did exactly as Balaam had asked. Probably, Balak was
looking for signs from heaven. These high places were, generally,
places where false gods were worshipped. This is not true here. Balaam
is sacrificing to God.
Numbers 23:4 "And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have
prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon [every] altar a bullock
and a ram."
We are not told exactly how God met with Balaam. He, probably,
put the message inside of Balaam. Balaam would know the LORD was
there.
Numbers 23:5 "And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and
said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak."
This is actually God speaking through the mouth of Balaam. It
appears, that Balak had moved away from the sacrifice some distance,
and now that Balaam has met with God, he goes to Balak.
Numbers 23:6 "And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his
burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab."
In Balak's mind, he was sacrificing to his false god.
Numbers 23:7 "And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the
king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the
east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel."
This is a statement of fact that Balak is well aware of. Balaam,
you remember, is speaking words the LORD put into his mouth.
Numbers 23:8 "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how
shall I defy, [whom] the LORD hath not defied?"
They already knew that he claimed the LORD. They, perhaps, were
not aware of the standing that Israel had with the LORD. They were
heathen, they did not understand this. He asked a very good question.
If he truly is of the LORD, his message is the same as the LORD's.
Numbers 23:9 "For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from
the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall
not be reckoned among the nations."
The greatness of Israel was their relationship with God. They
were so numerous, it seemed they were impossible to number. Israel is
not just any country. They are God's chosen.
Numbers 23:10 "Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of
the fourth [part] of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous,
and let my last end be like his!"
The fourth part, here, is speaking of the different groups of
camps on the east, south, west, and north. Balaam wants to be blessed
like Israel. At death, he desires to be counted among the righteous.
Numbers 23:11 "And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done
unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast
blessed [them] altogether."
Balak feels betrayed by Balaam. He was expecting Balaam to curse
Israel, and instead, he has spoken a blessing upon them.
Numbers 23:12 "And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to
speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?"
This, again, is Balaam speaking. He can do no less than speak out
the words the LORD puts into his mouth. He makes no apology for what
he has said.
Numbers 23:13 "And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with
me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt
see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse
me them from thence."
Balak wants Balaam to go to another vantage point to see the vast
number of these people. Balak decides there is something wrong with
this place, and if they change places, Balaam will change his blessing
to a curse.
Numbers 23:14 "And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to
the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a
ram on [every] altar."
We see this is a tall top of mount Pisgah. He thinks, perhaps,
Balaam can see them better, and perhaps, the false gods will cause
Balaam to listen to them from this lofty height.
Numbers 23:15 "And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt
offering, while I meet [the LORD] yonder."
Again, Balaam separates himself from Balak, to talk with the
LORD.
Numbers 23:16 "And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his
mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus."
God has placed this word in Balaam's mouth. It is actually the
LORD speaking to Balak through Balaam.
Numbers 23:17 "And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his
burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto
him, What hath the LORD spoken?"
Balak realizes this is the LORD speaking through Balaam.
Numbers 23:18 "And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up,
Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:"
The message God has placed in Balaam's mouth is directed to
Balak.
Numbers 23:19 "God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither
the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not
do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
There are over 70 Scriptures dealing with the fact that God does
not lie. God is the Truth. Here is just one example Scripture that
says God does not lie. Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God,
that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" God is God. He is
the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has nothing to repent of,
because he does not sin. Whatever God says, He does.
Numbers 23:20 "Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless:
and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it."
Balaam speaks this. He will not, and cannot, change the blessing.
The blessing on Israel is not of Balaam, it is of God. Balaam must do
what God commands him to do.
Numbers 23:21 "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath
he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God [is] with him, and
the shout of a king [is] among them."
God did not see the evil of individuals of Israel, as causing
them to be an evil nation. God is with Israel. The shout is of a king,
because God has promised them this land.
Numbers 23:22 "God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were
the strength of an unicorn."
The unicorn, here, was, probably, speaking of a rhinoceros which
is a very strong animal. It is really saying, that God's strength is
not limited.
Numbers 23:23 "Surely [there is] no enchantment against Jacob,
neither [is there] any divination against Israel: according to this
time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!"
God would not let an enchantment, or divination, occur against
His chosen Israel. The countries around are in awe of so great a
nation as Israel, that God has blessed.
Numbers 23:24 "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion,
and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he
eat [of] the prey, and drink the blood of the slain."
This is a warning from God, that these people {Israel} will take
the land. They are not like their parents, who were to fearful to move
into the land and take it. They are young and eager for battle. They
will win, because God is with them.
Numbers 23:25 "And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at
all, nor bless them at all."
If Balaam will not curse them, Balak tells him, at least don't
bless them.
Numbers 23:26 "But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not
I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?"
The blessings coming from Balaam's mouth are the LORD's
blessings. Balaam is not in control of this. Even if he were in
control, he would do the same, because he wants to please God.
Numbers 23:27 "And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I
will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God
that thou mayest curse me them from thence."
Balak tries the third time to get Balaam to curse the Israelites.
He keeps believing that the location is the problem with the curse.
Numbers 23:28 "And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor,
that looketh toward Jeshimon."
This is from another vantage point. What Balak seems not to
understand, is that the entire world, and all in it, are God's. He
will bless who He wishes, when He wishes.
Numbers 23:29 "And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven
altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams." Numbers
23:30 "And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a
ram on [every] altar."
Balaam, again, is sacrificing to the LORD, not to Balak's false
god. It does not matter where the sacrifice is made, God will not
change.
Numbers 29 Questions
1. Balaam said unto Balak, Build me _______ altars.
2. What number means spiritually complete?
3. What did Balaam promise to tell Balak?
4. What were the high places, generally, used for?
5. What had he offered on the 7 altars?
6. How did God meet with Balaam?
7. What words was Balaam to speak?
8. Who stood with Balak at his burnt offering?
9. What did Balaam say to Balak?
10. The greatness of Israel was their ___________ with God.
11. What is the fourth part, in verse 10, speaking of?
12. Balak thought Balaam was going to _________ Israel, and he
_____________ then instead.
13. Balaam can do no less than what?
14. Where does Balak get Balaam to go?
15. What did they offer on mount Pisgah?
16. What does God have Balaam to say the second time?
17. How many Scriptures deal with the fact God does not lie?
18. Quote Titus chapter 1 verse 2.
19. What is God's strength compared to in verse 22?
20. God would not allow an __________, or an ________, against Israel.
21. If Balaam will not curse Israel, what does Balak ask him to do?
22. What was offered the third time?
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