Numbers 24
Balaam, Used Briefly but Perished (Numbers 24:13-25)
Verse 17: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab, and strike down all the sons of Sheth.”
Israel destroyed Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, who blocked their way, and then camped on the plains of Moab across
from Jericho. King Balak of Moab dared not confront Israel, so he decided to invite Balaam, a sorcerer renowned in many surrounding nations,
to curse Israel. Balaam received the plea of the envoys sent by the king of Moab and inquired of God. God's answer was, “Do not go and
do not curse them; for they are a blessed people.” However, he was swayed by the enormous payment and conditions offered by the second
group of envoys. As he set out for Moab, he heard the donkey speak and his eyes were opened, enabling him to see the angel with a drawn
sword. However, with the angel's permission, he traveled the long distance (about 650km) all the way to Moab.
King Balak of Moab sent for Balaam to curse Israel, but both the first and second times, he only heard prophecies of blessing.
1. The Third Prophecy Through Balaam (23:27-24:9)
1) In the third prophecy, Balak himself is cursed by Balaam.
2) In verses 10-11, Balak became angry with Balaam and told him to leave.
3) Balaam was utterly unable to curse Israel.
4) God protected Israel so that Balak and Balaam could not curse them.
2. The Fourth Prophecy Through Balaam (14-25)
1) Balaam delivers a final prophecy that Balak did not even want, and then departs.
2) It is a prophecy that in the distant future, a king of Israel will strike down and defeat Moab and Edom.
3) Balak invited Balaam, but instead Moab was cursed.
4) Next, he prophesies the destruction of Amalek and the Kenites.
3. Balaam's Final Prophecy and the Star of Jacob
1) Balaam delivered his final prophecy before returning to his homeland.
2) Balaam prophesied the appearance of the Star of Jacob and the Scepter of Israel.
3) Balaam had made the ultimate declaration that Israel would prosper eternally.
4) Balaam also saw a vision that his own country, Assyria, would be destroyed.
Conclusion: God Used Balaam Just as He Used the Donkey
1) Balak and Balaam ended up parting ways amidst conflict.
2) No matter how capable a person is, they cannot oppose the Almighty God.
3) Balaam proclaimed the Word given by God with his mouth, but he was self-centered.
4) Balaam later tempted Israel into sin through Baal-Peor.
Romans 10:10 states, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and
are saved.” (NIV Romans 10:10) Balak and Balaam were given several opportunities to receive Christ, the Star who came out of Jacob,
as their Lord and Savior. However, they firmly held onto their state of being their own masters and ultimately went down the path of destruction.
We must recognize that even while claiming to know God and speaking God's Word with our mouths, we have the potential to live a life
like Balaam's in reality. Always enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, follow Him, hold onto the "3 todays," and enjoy the fullness of
the Holy Spirit. God is the Word. If we proclaim God's Word like Balaam but do not live a life of holding that Word in the center of our hearts,
meditating on it, and following it, we will go down Balaam's path. Like David, hold onto the given Word and follow only the Lord.
For those who hold onto and follow the "3 todays," the Holy Spirit will protect and guide them.
May you always enjoy peace and abundance, and triumph.