Balaam's Blessings (Part 4)
A Numbers 24:12-25 Rewrite
This is the fourth post examining Balaam’s blessings spoken over Israel in Numbers Chapters 23-24. If you missed the first posts, here are links.
In the first post, I proposed that since Israel and the Church are often paralleled in scripture, I think the story of how God established Israel in the Promise Land foreshadows how God establishes the Kingdom of Heaven on earth today. This means that certain stories and messages to the children of Israel have a double message for us in the Church. I have been examining Balaam’s blessings in light of this using the following symbolism:
Balak: people afraid of God’s people and who are seeking to destroy them
Balaam: people who exploit God’s people for personal gain
Jacob: Israel, the old covenant, & the physical man’s body. In this passage, I use Jacob to mean the physical body of Christ, which in scripture means the Church.
Israel: Christendom, the new covenant, & the spiritual man
Balaam’s last pronouncements are different than the others because they speak about what will come to pass to the nations that hired Balaam to curse Israel. In it, I spy a repeating theme. An oppressive nation will be conquered by a stronger nation who will be conquered by an even stronger nation who will be conquered by an even stronger nation.
The final words of Balaam’s speeches might seem anti-climactic, but I think that’s because in Ancient Near East literature, the climax was often in the middle.
In the middle of these verses, Balaam says, “Israel is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” I’ve rendered this as: “God's new nation is more than conquerors. And the body of Christ shall exercise rulership and destroy every last trace of systematic sin!” This is the crescendo of hope for God’s people. It’s like what 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says:
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (NIV)
Once again, verses are cited in bold for cross-reference purposes, but please keep in mind, this is not a word-for-word translation. The original ESV follows for your comparison. Here we go!
Balaam’s Final Messages (Numbers 24:12-25)
12 And the exploiters said to God's enemies, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13 ‘If God's enemies should give me houses 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’? 14 And now, behold, I am going back home. Come, I will let you know what this new nation will do to God's enemies in the latter days.” 15 And the exploiters of God's people took up his discourse and said, “The prophecy of a sinner, son of an earth father, the prophecy of one whose eyes of the heart have been opened, 16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who worships when his blindness is lifted. 17 I see someone, but not now; I observe him, but not near: a glorious being shall come from physical men, and an authority shall rise up from the Spirit. It shall crush the power of those drunk on earth's finery and break down all the resulting conflicts. 18 Those who sell their birthright shall be homeless; As well as those who follow such ways--God's enemies. God's new nation is more than conquerors. 19 Through this, the body of Christ shall exercise rulership and destroy every last trace of systematic sin!” 20 Then the exploiters looked on allies of God's enemies and continued in the same vein: “Earthly importance sets you up as the first among the nations, but you also end first when face-to-face with soul destruction.” 21 And the exploiters looked on those who are jealous of God's children, and continued in the same vein, “Enduring are your homes and city states, and your safety measures seem to put you far away from danger. 22 Nevertheless, you too shall be tested in fire when conquering kingdoms take you away captive.” 23 And the exploiters took up their discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does all this? 24 But ships shall come from even stronger nations and shall afflict the conquering kingdoms and those who belong to the Lord; and even stronger nations shall come to utter destruction.” 25 Then the exploiters rose and went back home. And God's enemies also went their ways.
Original Passage Numbers 24:1-9 ESV
12 And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13 ‘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’? 14 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.” 15 And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 16 the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: 17 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. 18 Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. 19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!” 20 Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, “Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.” 21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, “Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock. 22 Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive.” 23 And he took up his discourse and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this? 24 But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction.” 25 Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this scripture rewrite. To read more like this, try reading my Proverbs rewrites: