SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 24
BALAAM’S THIRD ORACLE (vs. 1-14)
Balak took Balaam to another place, top of Peor overlooking the waste land. Then he built 7 altars and prepare 7 bulls and 7 rams for offering on each altar. Then he uttered this oracle: “How beautiful are your tens, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. Their king will be greater than Agag, their kingdom will be exalted. 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. 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!”
Balak’s anger burned against Balaam and struck his hands. He spoke to Balaam: “I summoned you to curse my enemies but you have blessed them three times. Now, leave at once and go home and I won’t give you any reward.”. Balaam replied: “Did I not tell the messenger you sent me “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, 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 Loud say? ” Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in the days to come” (vs. 12-16)
BALAAM’S FOURTH ORACLE (vs. 15-19)
“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 of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city”
BALAAM’S FINAL ORACLE (vs. 20-25)
To the Amalekites: Amalek was first among the nations, but he will come to ruin at last.
To the Kinites: Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in a rock; yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
To Asshur and Eber: Ah, who can live when God does this? Ship will come from the shores of Kittim; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin”.
Then Balaam got up and returned home and Balak went his own way.
THOUGHTS:
BALAAM’S VISION OF ISRAEL
In the first vision, he saw the nation as a special people called by God and separated from the other nations.
In the second vision, he announce that God has accepted the Israelites as His own purchased possession. They had been delivered from Egypt by the blood of the Lamb.
In the third vision, he described Israel victorious against his enemies and enjoying her blessings of the Promised Land.
In the fourth vision, he saw the Israel’s future glory which was fulfilled by Christ, the Messiah. Israel will have complete dominion when Christ returns and establish the millennial kingdom where all Israelite’s enemies will be defeated.
Balaam spoke according to what God had told him. In doing so, he forfeited the rewards of Balak. Staying true to God’s Word may cost as promotions and advantages in teh short run but those who choose God over wealth will one day acquire heavenly wealth beyond measure.
It seems strange that God would use a sorcerer like Balaam to foretell the coming of the Messiah. But it teaches us that God can use anything or anyone to accomplish His plans. Sorcery is condemned in the Bible. But God use a sorcerer to show His ultimate sovereignty over good and evil.
Today, Satan may try his best to curse God’s people but God’s gave is with us. He will always defend His people and turn the curse into blessing because they are dear to Him.;