Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: "Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it? Then Balaam uttered this oracleThe phrase "Then Balaam uttered this oracle:" introduces a prophetic declaration from Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet. The Hebrew word for "oracle" is "מָשָׁל" (mashal), which can mean a proverb, parable, or a prophetic utterance. In the context of the ancient Near East, oracles were considered divine messages, often delivered by individuals believed to have a special connection with the divine. Balaam, though not an Israelite, is used by God to deliver His message, demonstrating that God’s sovereignty extends beyond the boundaries of Israel. This highlights the theme of God’s universal authority and His ability to use anyone to fulfill His purposes. Alas, who can live
The word "Alas" is an expression of lament or sorrow, indicating the gravity of the message that follows. It suggests a sense of impending doom or unavoidable fate. The phrase "who can live" poses a rhetorical question, emphasizing the inevitability of the events prophesied. In Hebrew, the word for "live" is "חָיָה" (chayah), which means to live or to have life. This phrase underscores the power and certainty of God’s will, suggesting that no one can escape the divine plan that is about to unfold. It serves as a reminder of human frailty in the face of God’s omnipotence. unless God has willed it?
The phrase "unless God has willed it?" points to the sovereignty of God over life and death. The Hebrew root for "willed" is "שׂוּם" (sum), meaning to place, set, or ordain. This highlights the belief that God is the ultimate authority who determines the course of human events. In the biblical narrative, this serves as a reassurance to the Israelites of God’s control over their destiny, as well as a warning to their enemies. It reflects the theological conviction that nothing happens outside of God’s will, reinforcing the idea of divine providence and the futility of resisting God’s plans. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers blessings and prophecies from God. 2. BalakThe king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks to curse them through Balaam. 3. MoabA region east of the Dead Sea, whose king, Balak, is concerned about the advancing Israelites. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, journeying to the Promised Land, whom Balak fears and seeks to curse. 5. OracleA divine message or prophecy, in this context delivered by Balaam under God's influence. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over LifeRecognize that life and death are under God's control. Our existence is not random but ordained by God. Trust in God's PlanTrust that God's plans for us are good, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. The Futility of Opposing God's WillUnderstand that no human effort can thwart God's purposes. Like Balaam, we should align ourselves with God's will rather than oppose it. The Importance of ObedienceBalaam's account teaches us the importance of obedience to God, even when external pressures push us otherwise. God's Protection Over His PeopleJust as God protected Israel from Balak's curses, He protects His people today. We can find comfort in His divine protection. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Balaam's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in Numbers 24:23 challenge our understanding of control in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's ordination in the events of our lives, and how should this influence our daily decisions? 3. How does the account of Balaam and Balak illustrate the futility of opposing God's will, and what are some modern examples of this principle? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt God's protection in your life. How does this assurance of divine protection impact your faith journey? 5. How can we apply the lesson of obedience from Balaam's account to our own lives, especially when faced with external pressures to act against God's will? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 32:39This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty over life and death, similar to Balaam's acknowledgment that life is ordained by God. Job 12:10This passage speaks to God's control over the breath of all living things, reinforcing the idea that life is sustained by God's will. Acts 17:28Paul speaks of our existence being in God, echoing the sentiment that life is under divine ordination. People Agag, Amalek, Asher, Ashur, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Eber, Jacob, Kenites, Kittim, Moses, Seir, ShethPlaces Amalek, Asshur, Edom, Egypt, Kain, Kittim, Moab, Peor, SeirTopics Ah, Alas, Appointed, Discourse, Except, Oracle, Ordained, Parable, Simile, Story, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 24:15-24 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 24:23 NIVNumbers 24:23 NLTNumbers 24:23 ESVNumbers 24:23 NASBNumbers 24:23 KJV
Numbers 24:23 Commentaries
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