Numbers 23-24 includes seven oracles that Balaam proclaimed for Balak, opposing the Israelites.
In the first oracle (Numbers 23:1-12), the number seven appears with seven bulls and seven rams sacrificed. These sacrifices were meant to provide ample livers and organs for Balak to understand how to curse the Israelites.
In his first oracle, Balaam said he couldn’t curse Israel. They were different from everyone else because they were connected to God.
We can guess how Balak felt when Balaam refused to curse the Israelites. He had just sacrificed 14 valuable animals and agreed to pay a lot of money to this famous sorcerer, hoping to achieve something he feared he couldn’t do in physical battle.
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but now you have done nothing but bless them.”
He answered, “Must I not take care to say what the Lord puts into my mouth?” (Numbers 23:11-12).
The Second Oracle
Just like the first time Balaam was supposed to curse the Israelites, two sets of seven animals were used as magic charms in idolatrous rites.
In the middle of this oracle by a pagan sorcerer, we find a truth.
God is not a human being, that he should lie,
or a mortal, that he should change his mind.
Has he promised, and will he not do it?
Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19)
God is not human and does not lie. God has integrity, and His word never changes. Balaam serves as a contrast to God. Balaam constantly shifts, equivocates, and changes. He is a prime example of the difference between God and humans.
Balaam saw the gods through his own human weaknesses. Now he faces God, who is unlike humans in their flaws. While others may change, God cannot. He can’t deny himself and must keep his promises because his character is tied to his word.
The Third Oracle
The location of the third oracle is worth noting.
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland (Numbers 23:28).
We will come across Peor again in Numbers 25. It appears to be the central place of worship for the Moabite god, Baal.
While Balaam was looking at tents in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit gave him a vision of future cities with homes and buildings.
How fair are your tents, O Jacob,
Your encampments, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5)
He saw God’s purpose and described it, much to Balak’s dismay. Balak was so angry that he dismissed Balaam without paying him.
Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times.
Now be off with you! Go home! I said, ‘I will reward you richly,’ but the Lord has denied you any reward” (*Numbers 24:10-11).
However, Balaam was not finished speaking for God.
The Fourth Oracle
This time, the Holy Spirit inspired a pagan sorcerer to predict the coming of the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ.
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 foreheads of Moab
and the heads of all the Shethites. (Numbers 24:17)
This verse means the coming king will completely defeat all his enemies. Ultimately, Edom and Sheth (Seir) are the eternal enemies of God and His people. Jesus conquered evil on the cross and ultimately conquer all evil at His second coming.
The Fifth Oracle
The last three oracles almost naturally follow the fourth one. They all promise Israel’s victory over its enemies. Because of this, these oracles can also be seen as curses. Balak and Balaam tried to curse Israel, but their plans only led to their own downfall.
The fifth oracle was against the Amalekites. You might recall Israel’s first defeat in the wilderness at their hands. Israel had gone against them foolishly, without God’s blessings. Later, under Saul and David, the Amalekites were defeated.
The Sixth Oracle
The sixth oracle was to a group of people who would later become Assyria. During Balaam’s time, Assyria wasn’t a major power, but it rose to prominence later. We’ll learn more about them in the prophets and history portions of Scripture.
The Seventh Oracle
The value of the seventh oracle is the reminder that all humans are dependent on God.
“Alas, who shall live when God does this?” (Numbers 24:23).
Reflections
There are many lessons from the interactions between Balak and Balaam.
(1) We learn that God can use anyone. He spoke to Balaam through a donkey. He used a corrupt sorcerer to declare eternal truths.
(2) Henry Blackaby often said it’s foolish to make our plans and then ask God to bless them. Balak and Balam tried this, but God had his own purpose.
A better approach would have been to ask, “What is God doing, and how can I join him?” This applies to us, too. The best thing we can do is find out where God is at work and align our lives with him.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 