A False Prophet and the Future

Audio Teaching

Notes

Text: Num. 22:1-12 (All Scripture is from the CSB)

Who is Balaam?

• A pagan prophet
• He tried to manipulate God.
• He engaged in unnatural intimate acts.
• He used a particular body part for divination.

What Did Balaam Do?

• Balaam initially refused to go, but God released him to go when he was approached again.
• As a false prophet, the Scriptures say God spoke to Balaam. When God speaks to His Prophets, it says, “The LORD said.”
• Balaam obeyed God, but his heart was still against Israel.
• Num. 22:31-23:10
• Num. 23:8-10
  • Balaam couldn’t curse Israel because God had not done so.
  • Curse: Strong’s H#6895: Malign, speak bad fortune, and ill favor.
  • Denounce: Strong’s H#2194: Foam at the mouth, be enraged.

God’s Everlasting Covenant with Israel

Gen. 12:1-3, 7

Gen. 26:1-5

Gen. 35:9-12

Ex. 6:2-8

Judges 2:1 “The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land I had promised to your ancestors. I also said: I will never break my covenant with you.” [Gen. 17:7; Ex. 6:4; Num. 14:23; Deut. 6:10, 23; 10:11; 31:16; Jos. 1:6].

Psa. 132:13-16

Isa. 14:1-2; 27:12-13; 60:10-16

Jer. 31:35-36 [32:36-33:26]

Joel 3:1-2

Amos 9:11-15 [Micah ch. 4]

• Balaam set his sights on the destruction of Israel, and in the last days, all nations will turn against Israel, the Jewish people, and the ways of God.

A Summary of Balaam’s First Three Oracles

“Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From the blessing of that wicked person, Balaam, you can ascertain what was in his heart. God transformed the curses that he planned into blessings. He sought to say that they should not have synagogues and study halls, and he said instead: “How goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5), a blessing on their synagogues. He sought to say that the Divine Presence [shekhina] will not rest upon them, and he said instead: “And your dwellings [mishkenot] Israel.” He sought to say that the kingdom of Israel would not continue, and he said instead that it would continue: “Like the winding brooks” (Numbers 24:6), which flow continuously. He sought to say that they would have no olive trees and vineyards, and he said instead: “Like gardens by the river’sriver’s side” (Numbers 24:6). He sought to say that their fragrance would not diffuse from their fulfillment of mitzvot, and he said instead: “Like aloes that the Lord has planted” (Numbers 24:6).” – Sanhedrin 105b17

“He sought to say that they would not have kings of stature, and he said instead: “Like cedar trees beside the waters” (Numbers 24:6). He sought to say that they will not have a king the son of a king, and he said instead: “Water shall flow from his branches” (Numbers 24:7). He sought to say that their kingdom would not rule over the nations, and he said instead: ” And his seed shall be in many waters”” (Numbers 24:7). He sought to say that their kingdom would not be fierce, and he said instead: “”And his king shall be higher than Agag.”” He sought to say that there will be no fear of their kingdom, and he said instead: “And his kingdom shall be exalted” (Numbers 24:7).” – Sanhedrin 105b18

A Glimpse Into the Future

Num. 24:14-25

• The spirit of Amalek
  • Ex. 17:8-16
  • The wicked Haman was a descendant of Agag.
• The judgment of the nations and the rule of Messiah
• Isa. 2:1-4

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Resources

Unrolling the Scroll by First Fruits of Zion