Numbers 24
McGeeCHAPTER 24THEME: Balaam’s third and fourth propheciesThe story of Balaam continues uninterruptedly from the previous chapter.
Numbers 24:1
THE THIRD PROPHECYHere is something which leaves us in amazement. The Spirit of God came upon this man. Listen to his prophecy.
Numbers 24:3
There was sin in the camp of Israel, but God had dealt with that. He had set up the brazen serpent. The sins had been forgiven. God is not going to permit anyone on the outside to bring a charge against them. All that Balaam can do is to bless them and to praise them. Just so, Satan cannot bring a charge against God’s elect. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom_8:33-34). “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom_8:31). I haven’t anything to say but hallelujah! Who can make a charge against God’s elect? No one. God has already declared them righteous.
Numbers 24:10
Of course Balak is angry, but Balaam reminds him that he cannot prophesy anything beyond the commandment of the Lord.
Numbers 24:15
THE FOURTH PROPHECYNotice this carefully. It is a most remarkable prophecy, and this is one we hear at Christmas time.
Numbers 24:17
Have you ever stopped to wonder where the wise men learned to look for a star? How did they associate a star with a king born over in Israel? Why would they make such a long trek? About 1500 years after this prophecy was given, we find coming out of the east, the land of Balaam, a whole company of wise men. Apparently this prophecy of Balaam was retained, since Balaam was considered an outstanding prophet in the east, and the wise men knew his prophecy. When they saw the remarkable star, they remembered that Balaam had said, “…there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel …” (Num_25:17). When the wise men came to Jerusalem, their question was, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him?” (Mat_2:2). When we add to these Scriptures the prophecy of Daniel (and Daniel likewise had prophesied in the east) which gives the approximate time that the Messiah would come, we see that the coming of the wise men to Jerusalem is very understandable. The thing that makes it very remarkable is that Israel, the people who had the Old Testament with all the prophecies of Christ’s coming, was not looking for Himwith the exception of a very small minority, such as Anna and Simeon. When this company of wise men (there were probably nearer three hundred than three!) converged on Jerusalem, the entire city, including Herod the king, was stirred. Their coming adds a thrilling dimension to the Christmas story. And it is quite interesting to trace it to this old rascal, Balaam. Now Balaam prophesied concerning the nations around Israel.
Numbers 24:20
He certainly didn’t satisfy King Balak with his prophecies.
Numbers 24:25
That is a very strange statement concerning Balaam. He rose up and went and returned to his place. There is only one other man in Scripture who is said to have gone to his place and that man is Judas (Act_1:25). The Scriptures are pretty silent about that. We learn in Num_31:8 that Balaam was killed in battle along with the kings of Midian. “…Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” Balaam was slain and, like Judas, he went to his place.