History repeats itself as antisemitism continually resurfaces and inevitably backfires! Balak the King of Moab hired Balaam, a pagan prophet to curse Israel, though instead of cursing Israel, Balaam was only permitted by the Lord to bless Israel on four occasions and would even prophesy of Messiah. These blessings were so vital that the sages considered making them part of the daily Shema prayers.[i] However Numbers 24:5, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings O Israel, forms the opening sentence of every synagogue service.”[ii]
Prior to the Exodus, Pharaoh had ordered all the Hebrew newborn males to be killed. He was concerned that if they continued to increase in number they would pose a threat to his kingdom. Similarly, Balak summoned Balaam and offered him great financial incentive and reward, if he would curse the children of Israel who again had committed no grievances against him, though he was afraid of their size and military capabilities.
Although Israel had defeated the Amorites and were camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho, they were specifically commanded by the Lord neither to harass them or contend with them in battle. The Moabites had been given Ar by the Lord for the descendants of Lot as a possession (Deuteronomy 2:9; 19). Therefore King Balak’s actions were completely unnecessary and foolish. Josephus observes the same as “more haste than wisdom” since the Hebrews would not meddle with any other country, but were to be satisfied with Canaan and having forbidden them to go further.[iii]Throughout history and even today Israel has been attacked in unprovoked aggressive acts and the years have proven that it never bodes well for those who have done so.
It may initially appear a mystery as to why God did not prevent Balaam from attempting to bring calamity upon His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:7-9; 14:2) solely for his personal fortune to increase? Balak considered that the God whom Balaam interacted with, could be utilised effectively to bless or curse anyone if magic arts or religious ritual were used in a manner that would gain his favour. As the events unfold it becomes increasingly clear that the Lord is sovereign over every eventuality and that the Lord will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:3; 27:29).
Balaam was walking on a precarious tightrope and he knew that he was asking amiss. Strangely enough various commentators are divided regarding Balaam’s motives and loyalties. Nevertheless when one examines other Scriptures, it is clear that Balaam was merely a prototype of false teachers, prophets and healers (Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Joshua 13:22; Micah 6:5; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14). Nevertheless the Lord instructed Balaam, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you- that you will do.” (Num 22:20)
Balaam’s aspirations were rejected. Predictably Balaam was more stubborn than the donkey he was riding on his journey to meet Balak. God used Balaam as his mouthpiece despite the fact that he was a charlatan, let alone one of unclean lips. God used a big fish to bring Jonah back on course and on this occasion used a donkey to steer Balaam in the right direction and bring him to his senses.
Balaam was so furious with the donkey halting his progress, that he wanted to kill her with his own sword. He was oblivious to the reality that she was protecting him from the Angel of the Lord, the Messiah in His preincarnate form, who was wielding a greater sword (cf. Joshua 5:13-15; 1 Chronicles 21:16; Revelation 19:11-16) “Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.” (Numbers 22:23) Hence when Balaam was reunited with Balak he was aware of his limitations since he must only utter the words that God gave him. Consider that, “Pharaoh, Balaam, Achan, Saul, David and Judas said respectively, “I have sinned” ;but only David said this sincerely.”[iv]Confession of sin must be genuine since there will be a day of judgement and the Lord is not mocked.
The First Prophecy
Significantly Balak took Balaam to the high places of Baal before religious preparations were made. It is likely that Balaam could view the tribes of Israel that Balak wanted to curse tribe by tribe. The Moabites worshipped false gods and Balak supposed that he could use the location to his advantage and Israel’s detriment.
Before Balaam prophesied, he instructed Balak to “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” (Numbers 23:1) Balak may have known that biblically speaking the number seven signifies perfection. Maybe Balak thought that by carrying out a sacrifice in a ritual that was akin to the Israelite format, (though admittedly from impure motives), he could achieve his desired outcome. He was attempting to merge two worldviews for personal benefit. Although this variation of spiritual logic, mixing monotheism with paganism may appear peculiar, it is still not uncommon nowadays. In a series of documentaries a number of years ago ‘Around the World in Eighty Faiths’ one episode featured cultures that synonymously attempted to harmonise two contradictory belief systems. This is often epitomised by the contemporary cliché spiritual but not necessarily religious.
Balaam announced a statement that was also a rhetorical question. “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed!” (Numbers 23:8) In Numbers 22:12 God had plainly told him “you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Furthermore Balaam continued “who can count the dust of Jacob, or number one-fourth of Israel?” (Numbers 23:10) Balak was unwittingly trying to use God against His intentions and purposes and it was rapidly backfiring in his direction, since the children of Israel were destined to increase in number as God had promised originally to Abram. “And I shall make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, that your descendants could also be numbered.” (Genesis 13:16)
Balak became increasingly frustrated since when he attempted to curse his so-called enemies whilst Balaam declared bountiful blessings toward them. He was only capable of pronouncing the words that God put into his mouth. Williams astutely summarises that the teaching of the first prophecy is that of Romans chapters 9,10 and 11 since the Lord has chosen, numbered, separated and blessed the children of Israel.[v]
The Second Prophecy
At this stage, Balak was ignorant of the reality that the God of Israel is omnipotent. He employed a similar strategy in that he attempted to curse the children of Israel in a high place, this time at the top of Pisgah. He probably reasoned that the gods of the hills were more potent than the ones in the hills. But this time Balaam inadvertently testified of God’s attributes and faithfulness. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent, has He said, and will he not do? Or has He spoken, and He will not make good?” (Numbers 23:19)
Balaam remained unable to reverse the command to bless Israel. None of the magic arts or rituals or even a combination of the two would prosper against them either, “for there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel.” (Numbers 23:23) Again the more determined Balak became to curse Israel, the opposite occurred and blessings followed.
Balaam prophesied. “Look a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself like a lion; It shall not lie down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.” (Numbers 23:24) The Lord was reaffirming Jacob’s last words to his son Judah that related to his tribal descendants “Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him?”(Genesis 49:9)
Since Balak now understood that cursing Israel was ineffective, in desperation, he made a neutral request to neither bless nor curse them, (Numbers 23:25) hoping that God would decide of His own accord to curse them. If Balak and his army were forced to fight Israel, he wanted to level the playing field instead of facing a numerically superior nation blessed by their God. Still clinging to his superstitious and futile rituals, Balaam selected another place to prepare an offering.
The Third Prophecy
A further change of location did not affect Balaam’s prophetic mandate. Though formerly, God put words in his mouth. (Numbers 22:38, 23:12) on this occasion “the Spirit of God came upon him.”(Numbers 24:2) Instead of Balak obtaining a consolatory neutral blessing for Israel to even the score, the promises that are spoken in this prophecy were yet more remarkable and superseded the former two, speaking of a future time of peace.
The Fourth Prophecy-Who is the Star of Jacob?
In his conceitedness, Balak sent Balaam away spitefully adding “I said I would greatly honour you, but in fact the Lord has kept you back from honour,” (Numbers 24:11). Balak was under the delusion that he was somehow more spiritually discerning than Balaam! In reply Balaam took up his fourth oracle saying, “Come I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.” (Numbers 24:14).
Balaam’s forthcoming prophesy states “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near: a Star shall rise out of Jacob; a sceptre shall rise out of Israel and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.” (Numbers 24:17). Jewish commentary is divided concerning the identity of the Star of Jacob. The Soncino Press Pentateuch and Haftorahs states this probably relates to King David and with reference to reducing Moab to subjection in 2 Samuel 8:2 although this verse was applied to Bar Cocheba whose most notable follower was Rabbi Akiva.[vi] The Stone Edition Torah commentary notes according to Rashi and Ibn Ezra it is David, though Ramban interprets the entire passage regarding Messianic times and at that time Moab will not be spared, though the Jews of Balak’s generation were commanded not to conquer Moab. [vii] Also Chizkuni thinks King David is in view here[viii] as does Rabbeinu Bahya since David would smash the nobles of Moab.[ix] Nonetheless, Ibn Ezra notes many have said this prophecy relates to Messiah.[x]
Both Onkelos[xi] and the Targum Jonathan[xii] connect this prophecy to Messiah. Rambam links this with Messiah because the Messiah will gather together the dispersed from all the earth.[xiii]Rashbam claims that according to the plain meaning this is speaking of Messiah[xiv] and Tur Ha Arokkh[xv] states the same as Rambam.
But what do the Scriptures say of the Star of Jacob? Yeshua (Jesus) is referred to as the Bright Morning Star in 2 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 22:16. It is possible that the Magi recognised this prophecy when they were directed to the Messiah by the star. “With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.” (Luke 1:78-79) Furthermore, Daniel resided in Babylon so it is also possible that certain individuals from the East may have had either access to, or knowledge from some of the Scriptures. In addition, Malachi stated, “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings:” (Malachi 4:2/3:2 Hebrew Bible) He is the Jewish Messiah and the Saviour of the world.
The last verses of Numbers 24 reinforce the truth that nations that have dealt treacherously with Israel shall be judged accordingly. Amalek mistreated Israel and is a classic example of that principle. “Amalek was first among the nations, but shall be last until he perishes.” Where is the Egyptian empire today, or the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian empire, the Greek empire or the Roman empire now? Yet as foretold, Israel has been re-established (Isaiah 66:8-9).
There is encouragement and an application for the believer here also. The Lord brought something good out of something intended for evil and He can do the same today. Speaking of Israel, Zechariah declares what the Lord says concerning those who would seek the demise of Israel. “for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye;” (Zech. 2:8) The same is true for those trusting and following Jesus the Messiah, since they were bought with a price, belong to him and are adopted into His family and are the spiritual seed of Abraham.
[i] Irving I. Stone The Stone Edition The Torah, Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings (Mesorah Publications Ltd, 1994; Brooklyn), p856
[ii] The Soncino Press Pentateuch & Haftorahs Edited by Dr J H Hertz (Soncino Press, 5758-1997; London), p668
[iii] The New Complete Works of Josephus Translated by William Whiston Commentary by Paul L Maier (Kregel, 1999; Grand Rapids), Jewish Antiquities 4:6.2, p147
[iv] George Williams Williams’ Complete Bible Commentary (Kregel, 1994; Grand Rapids), p90
[v] Ibid, 90
[vi] Soncino Press, p679
[vii] Stone Edition, p873
[viii] Chizkuni on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Chizkuni%2C_Numbers.24.17.2?lang=bi
[ix] Rabbeinu Bahya on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Chizkuni%2C_Numbers.24.17.2?lang=bi
[x] Ibn Ezra on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.24.17?lang=bi&with=Ibn%20Ezra&lang2=en
[xi] Onkelos Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Onkelos_Numbers.24.17?lang=bi
[xii] https://www.sefaria.org/Targum_Jonathan_on_Numbers.24.17?lang=bi
[xiii] Ramban on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.24.17?lang=bi&with=Ramban&lang2=en
[xiv] Rashbam on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.24.17?lang=bi&with=Rashbam&lang2=en
[xv] Tur HaArokkh on Numbers 24 https://www.sefaria.org/Tur_HaArokh%2C_Numbers.24.17.1?lang=bi
