the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: the oracleThe term "oracle" in Hebrew is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can mean a burden or a prophetic utterance. In the context of Numbers 24:4, it signifies a divine message or revelation. This word underscores the weight and authority of the message being delivered. In ancient times, oracles were considered sacred communications from the divine, often delivered by prophets or seers. This highlights the seriousness and divine origin of Balaam's message. of one who hears the words of God
The phrase emphasizes the role of the prophet as a listener and receiver of divine communication. The Hebrew word for "hears" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. This suggests that Balaam, despite his flawed character, is granted the ability to perceive and comprehend God's words. It reflects the biblical theme that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes, and it underscores the importance of being attentive to God's voice. who sees a vision from the Almighty
The Hebrew word for "vision" is "חָזוֹן" (chazon), indicating a supernatural revelation. The term "Almighty" is translated from "שַׁדַּי" (Shaddai), a name for God that conveys His power and sovereignty. This phrase highlights the divine source of Balaam's insight, affirming that the vision is not a product of human imagination but a revelation from the all-powerful God. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to reveal His will and plans to humanity through chosen individuals. who bows down
The act of bowing down, in Hebrew "כָּרַע" (kara), signifies humility, reverence, and submission. In the context of receiving a divine vision, it indicates Balaam's acknowledgment of God's majesty and authority. This posture of worship and submission is a powerful reminder of the appropriate response to encountering the divine. It calls believers to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His greatness and our dependence on Him. with eyes wide open
The phrase suggests a state of spiritual awareness and readiness to receive divine revelation. In Hebrew, "גָּלוּי עֵינַיִם" (galui einayim) implies clarity and openness. This imagery conveys the idea that Balaam's spiritual perception is unhindered, allowing him to fully grasp the vision from God. It serves as an inspiration for believers to seek spiritual clarity and openness, striving to remove any barriers that might hinder their understanding of God's will and purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers blessings as directed by God. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam. 3. MoabThe region where Balak rules, located east of the Dead Sea, representing opposition to Israel. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak seeks to curse. 5. The Almighty (El Shaddai)A name for God emphasizing His power and sovereignty, who reveals His will to Balaam. Teaching Points Hearing God's WordsBalaam's experience reminds us of the importance of listening to God's words. We should seek to hear God through Scripture and prayer, ensuring our actions align with His will. Vision and RevelationBalaam's vision from the Almighty teaches us that God can reveal His plans to anyone He chooses. We should remain open to God's guidance and be willing to act on His revelations. Humility Before GodBalaam's posture of bowing with eyes wide open signifies humility and readiness to receive from God. We should approach God with humility, acknowledging His sovereignty in our lives. God's SovereigntyDespite Balaam's initial intentions, God's sovereignty prevails. This assures us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human actions, and we can trust in His ultimate control over our circumstances. Blessing Instead of CurseBalaam's blessing over Israel, instead of a curse, illustrates how God can turn intended harm into good. We should trust God to protect and bless us, even when others may wish us harm. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Balaam's experience challenge us to listen more attentively to God's words in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a posture of humility and openness to God's revelations, similar to Balaam's physical posture? 3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty, as seen in Balaam's account, provide comfort in situations where we feel powerless? 4. Reflect on a time when God turned a negative situation into a blessing in your life. How does this encourage you to trust Him more? 5. Considering Balaam's account and its New Testament references, what lessons can we learn about the consequences of pursuing personal gain over God's will? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17:1The name "El Shaddai" is first used, highlighting God's covenant with Abraham, which is foundational to understanding God's promises to Israel. 2 Peter 2:15-16Balaam is mentioned in the New Testament as an example of someone who loved the wages of wickedness, yet God used him to fulfill His purposes. Revelation 2:14Balaam's influence is noted in the context of leading others into sin, showing the long-term impact of his actions. People Agag, Amalek, Asher, Ashur, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Eber, Jacob, Kenites, Kittim, Moses, Seir, ShethPlaces Amalek, Asshur, Edom, Egypt, Kain, Kittim, Moab, Peor, SeirTopics Affirmation, Almighty, Ears, Fallen, Falleth, Falling, Falls, Heareth, Hearing, Hears, Open, Opened, Oracle, Prostrate, Ruler, Saying, Sayings, Says, Sees, Trance, Uncovered, Vision, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 24:4 1443 revelation, OT
5135 blindness, spiritual
5174 prostration
5841 ecstasy Numbers 24:2-4 1424 predictions Numbers 24:2-9 1421 oracles Numbers 24:3-4 5149 eyes Library While Antony was Thus Speaking all Rejoiced; in Some the Love of virtue Increased...
44. While Antony was thus speaking all rejoiced; in some the love of virtue increased, in others carelessness was thrown aside, the self-conceit of others was stopped; and all were persuaded to despise the assaults of the Evil One, and marvelled at the grace given to Antony from the Lord for the discerning of spirits. So their cells were in the mountains, like filled with holy bands of men who sang psalms, loved reading, fasted, prayed, rejoiced in the hope of things to come, laboured in alms-giving, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or AthanasiusThe Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
In the Messianic prophecies contained in Genesis we cannot fail to perceive a remarkable progress in clearness and definiteness. The first Messianic prediction, which was uttered immediately after the fall of Adam, is also the most indefinite. Opposed to the awful threatening there stands the consolatory promise, that the dominion of sin, and of the evil arising from sin, shall not last for ever, but that the seed of the woman shall, at some future time, overthrow their dreaded conqueror. With the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Elucidations.
I. (Princes and kings, [154]p. 13.) How memorable the histories, moreover, of Nebuchadnezzar [1609] and his decrees; of Darius [1610] and his also; but especially of Cyrus and his great monumental edict! [1611] The beautiful narratives of the Queen of Sheba and of the Persian consort of Queen Esther (probably Xerxes) are also manifestations of the ways of Providence in giving light to the heathen world through that "nation of priests" in Israel. But Lactantius, who uses the Sibyls so freely, should …
Lactantius—The divine institutes The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of Hellenist Literature in the Greek Translation of the Bible - Character of the Septuagint.
When we turn from the Jewish dispersion' in the East to that in the West, we seem to breathe quite a different atmosphere. Despite their intense nationalism, all unconsciously to themselves, their mental characteristics and tendencies were in the opposite direction from those of their brethren. With those of the East rested the future of Judaism; with them of the West, in a sense, that of the world. The one represented old Israel, stretching forth its hands to where the dawn of a new day was about …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision.
SO long as we are in the Body, we are apt to be governed wholly by its senses, seldom or never minding any thing but what comes to us through one or other of them. Though we are all able to abstract our Thoughts when we please from matter, and fix them upon things that are purely spiritual; there are but few that ever do it. But few, even among those also that have such things revealed to them by God himself, and so have infinitely more and firmer ground to believe them, than any one, or all their …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob, …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
(Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 57-80. ^c 57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] ; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day [See Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Phil. iii. 5. Male children were named at their circumcision, probably …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, Spring a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 35-51. ^d 35 Again on the morrow [John's direct testimony bore fruit on the second day] John was standing, and two of his disciples [An audience of two. A small field; but a large harvest]; 36 and he looked [Gazed intently. The word is used at Mark xiv. 67; Luke xxii. 61 Mark x. 21, 27. John looked searchingly at that face, which, so far as any record shows, he was never to see on earth again. The more intently we look upon Jesus, the more powerfully …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 24:4 NIVNumbers 24:4 NLTNumbers 24:4 ESVNumbers 24:4 NASBNumbers 24:4 KJV
Numbers 24:4 Commentaries
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