When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, When Balaam looked upThe act of looking up signifies a moment of awareness and revelation. In Hebrew, the word for "looked up" can imply a lifting of the eyes, suggesting a shift from the mundane to the divine. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is about to receive a vision from God, indicating that God's revelations are not limited by nationality or previous beliefs. This moment underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing His instruments for His purposes. and saw Israel
The sight of Israel, God's chosen people, is significant. The Hebrew root for "saw" (ראה, ra'ah) implies not just physical sight but also understanding and perception. Balaam's vision of Israel is not merely a visual experience but a spiritual insight into their divine destiny. This highlights the importance of Israel in God's redemptive plan, a theme that runs throughout the Bible. encamped tribe by tribe
The orderly arrangement of the tribes reflects God's design and order for His people. The encampment, as described in earlier chapters of Numbers, is a physical manifestation of God's covenant with Israel. Each tribe has its place, symbolizing unity and diversity within the body of God's people. This orderliness is a testament to God's meticulous care and planning for His people, a reminder of His faithfulness and provision. the Spirit of God
The phrase "Spirit of God" (רוח אלהים, Ruach Elohim) is a powerful expression of divine presence and action. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is often associated with prophecy, wisdom, and empowerment. Here, the Spirit's coming upon Balaam signifies divine intervention and the authenticity of the message he is about to deliver. It is a reminder that true prophecy is inspired by God, not human will. came upon him
The coming of the Spirit upon Balaam is an act of divine initiative. The Hebrew verb used here (היה, hayah) suggests a sudden and powerful presence. This emphasizes that Balaam's subsequent words are not his own but are inspired by God. It serves as a reminder that God can use anyone, even those outside the covenant community, to fulfill His purposes and proclaim His truth. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Despite his intentions, Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead, as he is compelled by God’s Spirit. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who fears the Israelites due to their numbers and seeks to weaken them through a curse. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, who are journeying to the Promised Land. They are the subject of Balaam's blessings. 4. Spirit of GodThe divine presence that comes upon Balaam, influencing him to speak blessings over Israel instead of curses. 5. MoabThe region where Balak rules and where the events of Balaam’s prophecies take place. Teaching Points God’s SovereigntyGod’s plans cannot be thwarted by human intentions. Despite Balak’s desire to curse Israel, God’s Spirit ensures that only blessings are spoken. The Power of the Holy SpiritThe Spirit of God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or intentions, to fulfill God’s purposes. Blessing and CursingAs believers, we are called to bless others, trusting that God’s will is for His people to be a blessing to the nations. Obedience to God’s WillBalaam’s experience teaches us the importance of aligning our words and actions with God’s will, even when it contradicts our own desires or the desires of others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Balaam’s experience with the Spirit of God challenge our understanding of who God can use for His purposes? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our words and actions align with God’s will, especially when faced with external pressures? 3. How does the account of Balaam and Balak illustrate the principle found in Genesis 12:3 regarding blessing and cursing? 4. What can we learn from Balaam’s account about the importance of seeking God’s guidance before making decisions? 5. How can we apply the lesson of God’s sovereignty in our lives when we face situations that seem to be against us? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:3This verse connects to Balaam’s blessing, as it echoes God’s promise to Abraham that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. 1 Samuel 10:10Similar to Balaam, Saul experiences the Spirit of God coming upon him, leading him to prophesy, demonstrating how God can use unexpected individuals for His purposes. Acts 10:44-46The Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles, showing that God’s Spirit can work through anyone, not just the Israelites, similar to how Balaam, a non-Israelite, is used by God. People Agag, Amalek, Asher, Ashur, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Eber, Jacob, Kenites, Kittim, Moses, Seir, ShethPlaces Amalek, Asshur, Edom, Egypt, Kain, Kittim, Moab, Peor, SeirTopics Abiding, Balaam, Camping, Dwelling, Encamped, Encamping, Lifted, Lifteth, Lifting, Order, Spirit, Tabernacling, Tents, Tribe, TribesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 24:2 3015 Holy Spirit, divinity
3272 Holy Spirit, in OT Numbers 24:2-3 1457 trance
3281 Holy Spirit, inspiration Numbers 24:2-4 1424 predictions Numbers 24:2-9 1421 oracles 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 24:2 NIVNumbers 24:2 NLTNumbers 24:2 ESVNumbers 24:2 NASBNumbers 24:2 KJV
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