BALAAM’S prophecies were a message from God to the Gentiles who did not know Him. It is said that the prediction of the rising of “a Star out of Jacob” (chapter 24:17) was not lost among the peoples of the East. It is thought that the wise men from the East who came to see the child Jesus knew of this prophecy and that they connected it with the bright star which they had seen. Doubtless they were guided by God Himself and they came seeking Him that was born King of the Jews.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matt. 2:10,1110When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10‑11).
But the time had not yet come for the rightful king to reign. He must first suffer and die to put away the sins of His people. But the day is drawing near when He shall come and put down all His enemies, Israel shall be blessed under Him and He shall reign gloriously over all the earth.
We now come to a very sad event in Israel’s history, when they were but a step from the promised land. Immediately following those wonderful pronouncements of future glory and blessing, we read: “And the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.”
Israel fell before the seducing wiles of Satan. They did worse here than at Horeb when they worshiped the golden calf. Such is the flesh in all of us. What is it not capable of? Instead of improving, it only corrupts. How widely accepted is the teaching that the flesh can be improved, while on the other hand how commonly is it held a believer can “fall from grace” and be lost again.
We can be thankful for the truth of Scripture and for the Lord’s own words concerning His sheep: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28). In Israel’s wilderness story we learn the incurable evil of our own nature, but we also see the unchanging word of God’s grace.
It is evident from Numbers 31:1616Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. (Numbers 31:16) that Balaam was Satan’s instrument in bringing about Israel’s humbling fall. Unable to curse the people, he could seduce them, and here we see the wisdom of the old Serpent. He knows our hearts and so he was able to get at Israel through the lusts of the flesh. If he could get the people to sin against God, he would succeed in bringing down His anger and judgment upon them. He would say to God, as it were, See what kind of people these are that Thou art intent on blessing.
But the Lord knows His people well, better than Satan does, and His purpose to bless them is unchangeable. God was looking on to Christ. Grace reigns through righteousness now since Christ has died.
ML-06/09/1974