A King Against All Flesh
Balaam can do nothing but bless Israel. Despite the repeated attempts of Balak to coerce through financial gain this prophet to denounce them, Balaam has done nothing other than promote them. He has fulfilled the Word of the Lord and can do nothing less.
Numbers 24:13 (ESV) ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’?
Yet in his final oracle, Balaam's words move to the prophetic. He tells Balak that he is going to tell him what Israel will do in "latter days."
Numbers 24:14 (ESV) And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
The prophetic words are replete with Messianic hopes:
Numbers 24:17 (ESV) I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Of course the Star appeared 2000 years ago to the seers from the east. Jesus is born and the wise men of his day travel far to Israel to see this new born king. But notice what else Balaam's prophecy predicts. "a scepter shall rise out of Israel... it shall... break down all the sons of Sheth."
The sons of Seth are all humanity. What kind of king would have a breaking influence on all humanity? A God-man king. Jesus is that king whose rule breaks every single person one way or another. He either breaks you of your self-assurance, bringing you to a need of His grace and mercy for your own soul. Or He breaks you in the crushing judgment rendered for all who reject Him. Make no mistake, there's no way to avoid the rule of this king. There is no way to avoid His influence one way or another.
Balaam is exhibit A of someone broken to humility and obedience. He will only do what God has said. He will only bless what God has blessed. He loses out of financial gain and notoriety but he has acted in accordance with the plan and purpose of God. Balak represents the other. He is hardened and mad. He wants nothing to do with Israel or her King.
You will be broken. The question is how. Which one are you? Balaam who may have indeed been caustically driven by financial gain but ultimately broken by the words of an ass to obey the voice of God revealed in mercy and grace? Or will you be Balak? Hardened ever more by the goodness of God revealed in His chosen people and ultimately His chosen Son.
The world is divided historically between what came before Christ and what came after - B.C./A.D. It is also divided spiritually between those in Christ and those outside. Balaam's oracles reveal that God's plan for Israel are much bigger and far reaching than just getting them to the promised land. The hope of salvation for all mankind is in their future.
No one can stop it. No one has ever stopped it.
Jesus reigns.
Numbers 24:13 (ESV) ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’?
Yet in his final oracle, Balaam's words move to the prophetic. He tells Balak that he is going to tell him what Israel will do in "latter days."
Numbers 24:14 (ESV) And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
Numbers 24:17 (ESV) I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Of course the Star appeared 2000 years ago to the seers from the east. Jesus is born and the wise men of his day travel far to Israel to see this new born king. But notice what else Balaam's prophecy predicts. "a scepter shall rise out of Israel... it shall... break down all the sons of Sheth."
The sons of Seth are all humanity. What kind of king would have a breaking influence on all humanity? A God-man king. Jesus is that king whose rule breaks every single person one way or another. He either breaks you of your self-assurance, bringing you to a need of His grace and mercy for your own soul. Or He breaks you in the crushing judgment rendered for all who reject Him. Make no mistake, there's no way to avoid the rule of this king. There is no way to avoid His influence one way or another.
Balaam is exhibit A of someone broken to humility and obedience. He will only do what God has said. He will only bless what God has blessed. He loses out of financial gain and notoriety but he has acted in accordance with the plan and purpose of God. Balak represents the other. He is hardened and mad. He wants nothing to do with Israel or her King.
You will be broken. The question is how. Which one are you? Balaam who may have indeed been caustically driven by financial gain but ultimately broken by the words of an ass to obey the voice of God revealed in mercy and grace? Or will you be Balak? Hardened ever more by the goodness of God revealed in His chosen people and ultimately His chosen Son.
The world is divided historically between what came before Christ and what came after - B.C./A.D. It is also divided spiritually between those in Christ and those outside. Balaam's oracles reveal that God's plan for Israel are much bigger and far reaching than just getting them to the promised land. The hope of salvation for all mankind is in their future.
No one can stop it. No one has ever stopped it.
Jesus reigns.
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