Numbers 22: 35—Rather than turn back and repent, Balaam continued on his journey to see King Balak.
Whew! This begs the question…Why did God tell Balaam to visit King Balak after He sent the Lord Jesus to block him?
Because God wanted to use this opportunity to prophesy. Well, all right. God does as He chooses. But why prophesy here, now, after having had so much trouble with the people of Israel since their release from slavery in Egypt?
Because God is good.
Because He wants to benefit the future Israel.
And He wants to benefit His beloved chosen.
God wants to provide hope, and redemption throughout time—from the plains of Moab to the Millennial Kingdom. To show His people Israel—even BEFORE they come into their promised land—that someday they will see and understand He sent His Son to die for them, and all the world. Thousands of years ago, God used Balaam to tell the world that He isn’t finished with Israel yet. Instead, He is going to bless them during their most painful and tumultuous time—the tribulation and the Great Tribulation.
Let’s continue with Numbers 22:36:
When Balak heard that Balaam had arrived, he went out to meet him in the city of Moab.
Balak asked Balaam, “Didn’t I repeatedly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? I can pay you well, can’t I?”
Balaam answered, “Well, I’m here now. I’ve come to you, but I can’t just say anything, can I? I’ll speak only what God puts in my mouth to say.”
Hmmmmm, interesting. Notice more of King Balak’s negative personality traits?
Controlling.
Scolding.
Guilt coupled with temptation.
Yet, Balaam’s reply is plain and truthful—all because he isn’t allowed to speak anything else! God is in control of Balaam’s mouth, just as He controlled the she-donkey. What a comparison, because God was going to spare the donkey, and kill Balaam!
Unfortunately, deep within Balaam’s heart he is scheming. And God knew that, too.
Verse 39: So a group, including King Balak and Balaam rode to Kiriath-huzoth where Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep. The next day the King brought Balaam to Bamoth-Baal, to view the Israelite encampment. And there Balaam instructs King Balak to build seven alters, in preparation for him to sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams. King Balak did as he was instructed, and Balaam sacrificed one bull and one ram on each alter. Afterwards, Balaam said, “Leave me alone. Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me. I’ll tell you whatever He reveals to me.” So Balaam went to a high place, where the Lord met him and Balaam told the Lord, “I’ve prepared seven alters and offered bulls and rams.”
The Lord gave Balaam this message, “Return to Balak and speak to him.”
Balaam returned to King Balak and all his officials who were standing beside the alters, and Balaam spoke this prophetic statement, “King Balak of Moab brought me from Aram, from the eastern mountains, and told me, ‘Come and curse Jacob for me. Come and curse Israel.’ But how can I curse those whom God hasn’t cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord hasn’t denounced? I saw them from the top of the rocks. I watched them from the hills. Truly this is a people that lives by itself and doesn’t matter among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the dust of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may I end up like him.”
Whoa! When God controls a situation, nothing can stop Him. Despite Balaam’s perverted desire for money, God has him speak His prophetic truth. Who can curse or denounce God’s people when He has not cursed or denounced them? No one! An earthly king might be able to march a man anywhere he chooses, and make demands, but when God has a plan, not even the highest king in all the world can change it!
…And who is the current high king of the world? Satan is. So understand the blessing here:
Satan cannot stop God from bringing His plan for Israel to completion—not during Balaam’s time, nor in our time.
In this prophesy God promises hope and redemption to His people, regardless of whether they realize it or not.
Now take a look at two more promises from God…Balaam watched God’s people Israel from atop a hill and sees two things. First, their numbers were as great as dust particles, indicating God’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17), which promises Abraham will be the father of nations, his descendants will be kings of many nations, and their promised land shall be the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, but to which they were currently strangers.
And secondly, the Israelites stood alone—separated. Why? Because God alienated His people from humanity to stop them from partaking in this wicked world. Had they been obedient to God throughout the years, they would have settled into their promised land. But throughout their history, the Israelite’s disobedience has kept them in captivity, or separated from this place. You see, when God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, they sinned against Him again and again. Israel was then, and continues to be, a despised nation—a nation that “doesn’t matter”. God is telling Israel in Balaam’s prophesy that He has plans to change all that. During the tribulation and the Great Tribulation, God will protect Israel against Satan and his vast armies. But there’s more…
God’s adopted beloved are to stand apart, also. We, too, are His chosen people (Galatians 3:26-29). Therefore, His commands to Israel apply to us, as well. And because, throughout the Old Testament, neither Israelite or gentile was faithful, God sent His Son to pay the ransom for our sins against Him. Believers recognize this, while the majority of Israel still refuses Him. But during the tribulation and Great Tribulation Israel will have their eyes opened. Therefore, the above prophesy is to let Israel know that despite their rejection of Him, God still stands for them. He has not abandoned them.
Right at the end of this first prophesy, Balaam seems to almost (but not quite!) have a change of heart. He claims he wants to die a righteous man, and in death be like the perfect righteous, living forever with God throughout eternity.
Balaam doesn’t make it…
Part 4 very soon.