Year 1, Day 138: Numbers 23

The First Oracle

In this chapter we have the first two oracles of Balaam.  To call them blessings is a slight misnomer.  They are more pronouncements of God’s blessing than they are actual blessings.  In fact, if we look at what Balaam actually says, he tells Balak that he cannot curse whom God has blessed.

So, if we look at these as pronouncements, then we can see these two (and the third one tomorrow) as having a chain-message.  The first pronouncement of God’s blessing is based on Israel’s calling.  The Hebrew people are a people dwelling alone and not counting themselves among the other nations.  In other words, they are a people separate – holy – unto God.  They are called by God to fulfill a particular purpose.  They are not like the rest of the world who seek to fulfill their own desires.  They are a people called to fulfill the purposes of God.  That is a high calling indeed.

I like the way this first pronouncement ends.  First, Balaam asks who can count the dust, or magnitude, of Jacob?  Balaam is acknowledging that they have become a numerous people.  But more important is the part that comes next.  Balaam says that he would like to die as one of them.  Balaam, a pagan man who receives oracles from God, is declaring to the current king of the land that he would rather be one of the invading people!

Of course this is an insult to Balak, for Balaam is essentially declaring himself a “Benedict Arnold.”  But perhaps even more importantly Balaam is recognizing that it is better to die in the blessing of the Lord than to die in the blessing of the world.  Balak can only promise Balaam pleasure in this age.  God uses Balaam to pronounce that blessings in this world are just not worth it.

That is an important lesson.  Yesterday we spoke of how Balaam was tempted the second time that Balak’s men came to him.  Here we see God teaching Balaam this lesson while using Balaam to try and teach it to Balak.

At least for now, we should focus on the words of the Lord as spoken through Balaam.  It is better to die in the blessing of the Lord than to die in the blessing of the world.  The things of this world are not worth what God offers to us.

Second Oracle

So now let’s turn to the second oracle.  This oracle contains a subtle hidden message for Balak and Balaam – and for us as well.  Do you hear how the second oracle begins?  God is not man, he does not lie.  God is not like the son of man who changes his mind. 

Again, what was Balaam’s offense in the last chapter?  Although Balaam knew God’s will, he tried God by entertaining the princes of Balak a second time.  Here God is using Balaam to pronounce judgment upon himself a second time.  God does not change His mind once He is set upon doing something.  Balaam stands judged by God’s own words.  God uses Balaam to pronounce judgment against his very own mindset.

Balak also stands judged because he sent a second envoy to Balaam in the first place.  Balak had the opportunity to accept God’s ruling but doesn’t.  Like Balak, we stand judged every time we try God when we know full well what His will is for us.

As for the rest of the pronouncement, notice that it is not so much a blessing upon the people as it is a declaration of what God has done for them.  God does not behold misfortune against them.  Sure, the people have sinned.  And a good number of them will never see the Promised Land because of it.

From a human perspective, the Hebrew people are failures like the rest of us.  But from a divine perspective, they were forgiven – covered by the blood.  God has made them what they are.  God has forgiven them.  Everything they are – even a lioness set upon devouring and taking ownership of the Promised Land – is because of what God has done for them.

So from this second proclamation we learn that everything in our life that is good, upright, and holy comes from God.  We should not give praise and blessing to ourselves.  Rather, we give it to God for He is the one who is at work within us.  He is the one who forgives the unforgivable.

Having learned these lessons – that the Hebrews are called by God, that they rest in His blessing, that God doesn’t change His mind, and that God is the one who deserves praise – Balak is no doubt furious.  Balaam warns Balak that he can only say what God has given for him to say.  But Balak takes Balaam for a third proclamation, hoping that Balaam will be able to give him something favorable.  Apparently Balak hasn’t learned the lessons at all.  The Hebrew people are God’s people, and God doesn’t change His mind once He sets His will upon something.

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