Gods Use of the Disobedient. (Numbers 22:41-24:25)
Complete Transcript
In this story from Numbers 22-24 we this gut rather generously described as a prophet named Balaam. Balaam was approached by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites. Despite being warned by God not to go, Balaam proceeds with the journey but is instructed by God to only speak what God tells him. When Balaam arrives, the king of Moab takes him to a high place to observe the Israelites.
Now, let's think about the questions immediately raised by this scenario. Imagine there's a church minister or Pastor who's incredibly effective in teaching the Scriptures. People are saved, blessed, and grow in their understanding of the Word under their teaching.
Then suddenly, news surfaces of the teacher's moral failings, such as financial mismanagement or sexual infidelity. This immediately prompts a flood of questions: How can someone be successful publicly yet fail so spectacularly privately?
If people were genuinely ministered to by this person, how do we reconcile that with their hidden sins? Does God still use disobedient individuals for His purposes? This is a debate very widely going on in the Christian church today. As I record this the sexual wrong doing of a recently passed high profile Christian evangelist and apologist are being discussed all over the internet.
It's crucial to recognize that such situations are exceptions rather than the norm. Nonetheless, they prompt deep reflection.
Well, I believe Balaam's story offers insight here. Despite his flaws and disobedience, God still communicated through him. This doesn't excuse Balaam's actions or suggest God condones sin. Rather, it underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to work through all flawed vessels to accomplish His purposes.
When faced with similar dilemmas in contemporary contexts, I believe we must keep at the forefront of are thinking several principles.
First, God's ways are higher than ours, and His ability to use imperfect people for His purposes doesn't negate the seriousness of sin.
Second, the effectiveness of someone's ministry doesn't necessarily reflect their personal righteousness.
Third, while God can use flawed individuals, He calls us to pursue holiness and obedience.
Finally, when confronted with moral failings in leaders, we should respond with grace, but at the same time accountability, and a commitment to seek truth and justice.
Ultimately, grappling with these questions requires humility, prayer, and a commitment to seeking God's wisdom and guidance.
We must trust in His sovereignty and remain steadfast in our pursuit of righteousness, both personally and within our communities.
Balaam’s First Message
23 Balaam said, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” 2 Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I go aside. Perhaps the Lord will come to meet with me. Whatever he reveals to me I will tell you.” Then he went off to a barren height. 4 God met with him, and Balaam said, “I have prepared seven altars, and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.” 5 The Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.”
6 So he went back to him and found him standing beside his offering, with all the Moabite officials. 7 Then Balaam spoke his message:
“Balak brought me from Aram,
the king of Moab from the eastern mountains.
‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me;
come, denounce Israel.’
8 How can I curse
those whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce
those whom the Lord has not denounced?
9 From the rocky peaks I see them,
from the heights I view them.
I see a people who live apart.
and do not consider themselves one of the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob,
or number even a fourth of Israel?
Let me die the death of the righteous,
and may my final end be like theirs!”
11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!” 12 He answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”
Now, this is a long passage that will actually spanning two chapters, going through the repeated attempts of Balak to get Balaam to curse Israel. It's essentially divided into rounds of attempts, which I'll refer to as round one, round two, and round three. Each round represents various attempts to coerce Balaam into cursing Israel.
In round one, we saw Balaam is summoned by Balak, who promises him a reward if he curses Israel. Balaam, despite his pagan background, seeks the Lord's guidance.
Surprisingly, eventually the Lord permits Balaam to go with Balak but instructs him to only speak what He puts in his mouth. Despite Balaam's disobedience and past involvement in sorcery, the Lord chooses to use him as a vessel to convey His message.
What's fascinating is that Balaam, an ungodly man, is allowed to meet with the Lord. This challenges our assumptions about who God can use for His purposes. Even though Balaam is in it for the money, God still chooses to speak through him, just as He spoke through a donkey in the previous chapter.
Balaam, upon seeing Israel, recognizes their uniqueness among the nations. Despite Balak's insistence on cursing them, Balaam expresses a desire to identify with Israel, even preferring to die with them than to curse them. He delivers the message God gave him, refusing to speak anything other than what the Lord commands.
Balak we see is displeased with Balaam's blessing of Israel, expecting him to curse instead. Balaam, however, maintains his obedience to God's command, emphasizing that he can only speak what the Lord has put in his mouth.
In essence, this passage highlights the tension between Balak's desire for Balaam to curse Israel and yet still God's sovereignty over the situation. Despite his use of sorcery and Balaam's initial disobedience, God ultimately ensures that His will prevails.
So, what can we glean from this opening narrative?
Well, it teaches us that God can use even the most unlikely vessels for His purposes. It reminds us of His sovereignty over all situations, even those involving human disobedience. And it underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, regardless of our personal desires or motivations.
As we reflect on this passage, may we trust in God's sovereignty, obey His commands, and remain open to being used by Him, even in unexpected ways. Just as He used Balaam, may we be willing vessels for His glory.
Round two begins in verse 13.
Balaam’s Second Message.
13 Then Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will not see them all but only the outskirts of their camp. And from there, curse them for me.” 14 So he took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, and there he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I meet with him over there.” 16 The Lord met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.” 17 So he went to him and found him standing beside his offering, with the Moabite officials. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?” 18 Then he spoke his message:
“Arise, Balak, and listen;
hear me, son of Zippor.
19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfil?
20 I have received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
21 “No misfortune is seen in Jacob,
no misery observed in Israel.
The Lord their God is with them;
the shout of the King is among them.
22 God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
23 There is no divination against Jacob,
no evil omens against Israel.
It will now be said of Jacob,
and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!’
24 The people rise like a lioness;
they rouse themselves like a lion
that does not rest till it devours its prey,
and drinks the blood of its victims.”
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!” 26 Balaam answered, “Did I not tell you I must do whatever the Lord says?”
(Numbers 23: 13-26)
Now, Balaam and Balak proceed to a different mountain spot, likely a range in the northeast corner of the Dead Sea, some suggest it was Mount Nebo.
In verse 15, Balaam meets with the Lord, who once again puts a word in his mouth, instructing him to return to Balak and speak only what the Lord commands. As Balaam stands by the burnt offering with the princes of Moab, Balak eagerly asks him what the Lord has spoken.
Balaam then delivers his oracle, emphasizing the unchanging nature of God. In fact he adds in verse 19, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent." This underscores the certainty of God's word and His faithfulness to fulfil His promises.
In verse 20, Balaam affirms that he has received the command to bless Israel, and he cannot reverse it. Despite any observed iniquity or wickedness in Israel, God has chosen to bless them, and no human endeavour can alter His purpose.
Balaam continues to assure Balak that there is no sorcery or divination can ever thwart God's blessing upon Israel. He speaks of Israel's strength, likening them to a lion rising up and devouring its prey. This imagery conveys Israel's victorious nature under God's protection.
Balak, growing increasingly frustrated, implores Balaam at least not remind them of these blessings if he cannot curse them. Balaam, in response, reiterates his commitment to speak only what the Lord commands, as he had stated from the outset.
In essence, Balaam's message to Balak is clear: God's purpose for Israel is unchanging and unstoppable. Despite any futile attempts by anyone to curse them, God has chosen to bless them, and His word will prevail.
So, what can we learn from this exchange between Balaam and Balak? It reminds us of the sovereignty of God and the certainty of His purposes. No human endeavour or manipulation can thwart God's plans. His word stands firm, and His promises are sure.
All right that was round two round three begins in verse 27, and Balaam pronouncement come thick and fast.
Balaam’s Third Message.
27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.” 28 And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland. 29 Balaam said, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” 30 Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar…..
Balaam, after two failed attempts to curse Israel, finally grasps the reality that it pleases the Lord to bless Israel. In Chapter 24, verse 1, we see a shift in Balaam's approach. He no longer seeks sorcery or engage with pagan rituals as he did before. This time, he understands that God's intention is to bless Israel, and he aligns himself with God's purpose.
This repetition of events may sound familiar to us. Despite Balak's persistence in attempting to curse Israel, each effort is met with God's determination to bless His people. Balaam's acknowledgment of God's favour toward Israel serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people.
It's important to recognize the connection between Chapters 22, 23, and 24. They are intertwined, forming a single cohesive narrative that reveals God's plan and Balaam's evolving in his understanding of it. Without considering the events of each chapter overall, we cannot fully grasp the significance of Balaam's journey and God's purpose across the wider picture. Chapter 24
….1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. 2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him 3 and he spoke his message:
“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,
your dwelling places, Israel!
6 “Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord,
like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from their buckets;
their seed will have abundant water.
“Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.
8 “God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
and break their bones in pieces;
with their arrows they pierce them.
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse them?
“May those who bless you be blessed
and those who curse you be cursed!”
10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. 11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”
12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’? 14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.”
(Number 24: 1-14)
So, in Chapter 24, verse 2, we witness a significant transformation in Balaam's disposition. The Spirit of God descends upon him, indicating a divine presence and influence that leads him to abandon sorcery now completely.
This moment marks a pivotal shift in Balaam's understanding and alignment with God's will.
Despite his past involvement in sorcery, Balaam's encounter with the Spirit of God demonstrates his now genuine connection to the Lord.
This raises the question of whether Balaam truly knows the Lord and is a believer. His response to the Spirit's presence suggests at least a deepening spiritual awareness and receptivity to divine guidance.
As Balaam begins to prophesy in verses 3-9, his words reflect an understanding of God's plans for Israel. He speaks of Israel's blessedness and prosperity, likening them to flourishing gardens and majestic trees.
Balaam's imagery here vividly portrays the abundance and strength that God bestows upon His chosen people.
In verse 7, Balaam foretells the rise of a king from Israel, symbolizing their future leadership and authority. This king is described as exalted and powerful, signifying Israel's sovereignty under God's divine rule.
Furthermore, Balaam emphasizes God's protection and blessing upon Israel, declaring that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. This affirmation underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His determination to preserve and prosper His chosen nation
Moreover, Balaam reiterates the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12, affirming that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. This divine principle, rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, extends to all generations and remains relevant today.
Balak's reaction to Balaam's prophecy reflects his frustration and disappointment. Despite his repeated attempts to manipulate Balaam into cursing Israel, he only receives blessings in return. Balak's anger is palpable as he accuses Balaam of betraying his promise and denies him the reward he had promised.
In response, Balaam asserts his commitment to speaking only what the Lord has commanded him. He reminds Balak that he had been upfront about his inability to act contrary to God's will, even when offered great riches.
Balaam's integrity and obedience to God's word in the end I think are evident throughout his interactions with Balak, despite the pressure and temptation to act otherwise.
As Balaam prepares to depart, he offers one final warning to Balak, foretelling the fate of his own people at the hands of Israel. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God's people and emphasizes the inevitability of God's sovereign plan.
But Balaan has more to say.
Balaam’s Fourth Message.
15 Then he spoke his message:
“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
17 “I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls[b] of[c] all the people of Sheth.[d]
18 Edom will be conquered;
Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,
but Israel will grow strong.
19 A ruler will come out of Jacob
and destroy the survivors of the city.”
(Numbers 23: 15-19)
The prophecies now follow thick and fast.
Balaam’s Fifth Message.
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message:
“Amalek was first among the nations,
but their end will be utter destruction.”
Balaam’s Sixth Message.
21 Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message:
“Your dwelling place is secure,
your nest is set in a rock;
22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed
when Ashur takes you captive.”
Balaam’s Seventh Message.
23 Then he spoke his message:
“Alas! Who can live when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus;
they will subdue Ashur and Eber,
but they too will come to ruin.”
25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
(Number 23: 20-25)
All of a sudden Balaam is giving a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. Now this is what is called a ‘Messianic Prophecy’, and even Jews today recognise this. This is not just a Christian interpretation of these words, let me explain.
Balaam's prophecy in Numbers 24:17-19 contains significant Messianic elements, foretelling the coming of a royal figure who will hold dominion and authority. The imagery of a "sceptre" and "star" signifies kingship, and Jewish interpretations until this day have always acknowledged this passage as a Messianic prophecy.
The reference to a "sceptre" symbolizes royal power and authority, indicating that a king will arise from the House of Jacob aligns with Jacob's prophecy in Genesis 49:10, where he predicts that a ruler will emerge from the tribe of Judah.
Balaam's prophecy extends beyond immediate historical figures like Saul and David to point towards the ultimate fulfilment in the appearance or a Messiah.
Jewish writings from the 1st century, have interpreted this passage as referring to the Messiah.
Furthermore, Balaam's prophecy also includes references to the conquest of Edom and Moab, nations that had historical significance for Israel. The eventual downfall of these nations, as described by Balaam, serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His judgment upon those who oppose His purposes.
While some aspects of Balaam's prophecy may have found historical fulfilment, particularly in the conquests of Edom and Moab, its ultimate fulfilment lies in the Messianic age. The coming of Jesus Christ, the King of Israel, represents the culmination of God's redemptive plan, bringing about victory and salvation for all God’s people.
Balaam's prophecy in Numbers 24:17-19 highlights the Messianic hope embedded within the Old Testament scriptures, pointing towards the ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. It also underscores the continuity of God's plan throughout history and the centrality of the Messiah in God's purposes for His people.
Balaam's story and utterances are complex and multifaceted. Despite his disobedience and involvement in sorcery, God still chose to use him as a mouthpiece to deliver His message.
Now this is not the norm throughout the Bible, as God typically judges sin promptly. Balaam's case stands as an exception rather than the rule.
Secondly, it's essential to recognize that God did not condone Balaam's actions, particularly his early ones which he is seen to oppose and thwart.
This is also evident in the condemnation of Balaam actions and motives in other parts of the Bible, such as in 2 Peter and Jude, where his behaviour is denounced.
Additionally, Balaam's eventual fate, as depicted in Revelation, further underscores God's disapproval of his actions.
Finally, while God used Balaam's mouth to deliver His message, it's crucial to understand that God did not endorse Balaam's disobedience. Instead, He worked through Balaam despite his flaws, emphasizing God's sovereignty and ability to use even imperfect vessels to accomplish His purposes.
This highlights for me the complexity of human nature and the ways in which God's plans can still unfold, even amidst disobedience and moral ambiguity, and people using his word for their own selfish ends.
The principle that God can use even challenging situations, and even the actions of those with impure motives, to accomplish His plans is revealed for us here.
Just as God used Balaam's words to deliver His message, however, it's crucial to emphasize that this is not the norm.
God does not endorse disobedience or impure motives. Instead, He sovereignly works through imperfect vessels to achieve His purposes, which is why he is able to use, you and me.
The key takeaway is that God's word and His gospel are powerful, and He can use any means to bring about His will, even in the midst of adversity or fallen human nature.