Were it not that we have learned somewhat of the willfulness of the flesh we should be amazed that Balak and Balsam should make yet another attempt to bring disaster upon Israel. Balak was very angry at what he had been obliged to listen to; but, although he said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all,” he added almost immediately, “Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee to another place: peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.” This was obviously sheer wickedness. Jehovah had already thwarted his plans twice, yet he was determined to make another effort, Balaam not objecting. Surely the adversaries of God's people were never more persistent in their hatred than at the time we are considering!
The new point of view was “the top of Peor, that looks towards Jeshimon” (meaning, “the waste”). Balaam was this time constrained to give a truly delightful description of the people as God saw them; but the people were not yet in Canaan in restful possession of every promised blessing, they were still in the desert-wastes. When we examine the New Testament epistles we find wonderful descriptions of God's saints, not only as they will be in heavenly glory eternally, but as they are today while in this evil world! God sees His saints as “in Christ,” and faith says exultingly, “as He is, so we are in this world” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
Balaam was now fully convinced that it was useless to turn aside any more to seek enchantments. He had proved by experience that the power of Hell is of no avail against the power of God, and that nothing could alienate His heart from the people of His choice. This should have produced in him a broken and contrite spirit, but, alas, it produced no such effect! The tragedy (for himself, not for Israel) accordingly proceeded to its terrible end.
In Numbers 24:22And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2) we read “the Spirit of God came upon him.” This may startle some, who may not have learned the distinction of being born of the Spirit, and subsequently and forever indwelt by the Spirit, and the Spirit of God coming upon an individual. Since Christ accomplished His great sacrificial work, and ascended up on high, the Holy Spirit is God's gift of love to all believers without distinction. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers no more have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them than the humblest child of God. But, as distinct from this, we sometimes read in the Old Testament records of the Spirit of God coming upon men for some special service. This is the sovereign act of God, irrespective of conversion. Thus the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Othniel (Judg. 3:1010And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. (Judges 3:10)); and upon Azariah the prophet in the days of Asa (2 Chron. 15:11And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: (2 Chronicles 15:1)). These were true saints, but we also read that the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and even upon the King himself (1 Sam. 19:20-2420And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 22Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. 23And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? (1 Samuel 19:20‑24)). None of these were saints, for murder was in their hearts at the time. In 2 Chronicles 35:2121But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. (2 Chronicles 35:21) we find God admonishing the pious (but misguided) King Josiah by the instrumentality of the pagan King of Egypt.
In Numbers 24 therefore we have the Spirit of God coming upon a particularly malicious servant of Satan, taking him completely under His control, and compelling him to describe in glowing terms the beauty of the people of God as God in His grace beheld it! Wonderful manifestation of divine superiority over all the power of the enemy when we consider that the speaker longed to say the opposite of all that he did say! With how much more force the words reach our hearts as coming from the lips of such a man as Balsam then if they had flowed from the lips of Moses who loved the people, and who sought their good in every way!
Balaam opened his third parable in peculiarly solemn terms. He describes his own position in relation to God and to the wonderful things he was given to utter. “Balaam the son of Beor saith, and the man of opened eye saith, he saith, who heareth the words of God, who knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, who falleth down, and who hath his eyes open” (JND). The man was thus conscious that with eyes divinely opened he was beholding things in which his heart had no interest. While describing the blessedness and the ultimate triumph of the people that he hated, he knew himself to be a fallen man. Not “fallen into a trance,” as the Authorized Version says, but definitely fallen. This privileged but willful man has gone down to eternal ruin.
We must pause here, and put a question to our own hearts. Is it not possible for us to “see” in an intellectual way, and even to speak of the precious things of God, without our own hearts being moved by them? As we read God's Word, and get to understand its teaching, let us exercise our hearts and consciences that the truth may get a firm hold of us, and mold and influence our lives. “The eyes of your heart being enlightened,” is the true rendering of Ephesians 1:1818The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18). Children of God though we are, let us not neglect the warning of Balaam's unholy handling of the precious things of God.
“Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in tents according to their tribes” (vs. 2), and he said, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel” (vs. 5). If the whole of his third parable be read carefully, it will be seen that Balaam begins with the coverings of the people before he speaks of the people themselves. We do not get the pronoun “he” and “his” until we reach verse 7. These details should be noted. In Exodus 26, in the instructions concerning the Tabernacle and its fittings, the various coverings are described as the tabernacle (vs. 6); the tent (vs. 12); and the coverings (vs. 14). Verses 1-6 speak of the ten fine twined linen curtains with blue, purple and scarlet wrought in them, as the tabernacle; in verses 7-13 we have the eleven curtains of goat's hair, and they are called the tent—the “ohel” over the “mishcah” ; and verse 14 speaks of the coverings over all of ram's skins died red, and badger's skins. All these things spoke to God of Christ, whose personal perfections cover His people, and secure every blessing for them. How suggestive therefore are Balsam's words: “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” Alas, that the unhappy man was incapable of appreciating the sweetness of what he uttered!
Balaam's third parable is very full. He is describing the beauty, order and blessedness of the people from Jehovah's point of view.
Here is a sketch of it:—
What unity! “The tribes” (vs. 2).
What order! “Abiding.. according to their tribes” (vs. 2).
What beauty! “Valleys;” “Gardens” (vs. 4).
What fragrance! “Aloes” (vs. 6).
What dignity! “Cedars” (vs. 6).
What sufficiency! “Beside the waters” (vs. 6).
What overflowing! “Water out of buckets” (vs. 7).
What power! “Unicorn” (vs. 8); “Lion” (vs. 9).
What Unity! The twelve tribes were still one whole. The breach which took place after the death of Solomon has not been healed to this day. The tribes will be regathered by the sound of the trumpet at the appearing of the Lord Jesus (Matt. 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31); Isa. 21:1313The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. (Isaiah 21:13)). It will then be said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa. 133:11<<A Song of degrees of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)). The unity of God's saints in this period is more intimate than that of Israel's tribes. The Spirit of God came from heaven at Pentecost to form it. There is now on earth a wonderful spiritual organism called the body of Christ. All the members are in living union with the glorified Head in heaven, and all are in union with one another. If the truth of this were realized in faith, every true Christian would abandon the ecclesiastical organizations of Christendom, and would never acknowledge any divisive working of any kind again.
What Order! Balaam saw Israel abiding in tents “according to their tribes. “Our God is a God of order. When the five thousand were fed they were not allowed to drop down upon the grass as they pleased; the Lord Jesus said “make them sit down by fifties in a company” (Luke 9:1414For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. (Luke 9:14)). Israel's camp in the wilderness was planned by Jehovah Himself. The tribes were arranged around the Tabernacle in four groups of three each, under their respective standards (Num. 2). Even so in the body of Christ every member has been divinely placed and furnished from the infinite resources of the Head in heaven with all that is needful for the blessing and development of the whole, “God hath set the members everyone of them in the body as it hath pleased him” (1 Cor. 12:1818But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18)). “The whole body is fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplied, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph. 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)). How sorrowful to compare God's gracious order with the human machinery which has impoverished the Church for so long!
What Beauty! “As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side!” Lovely imagery! What more beautiful than a valley; what more attractive than a garden? The one is suggestive of loveliness, which God always delights to see in His people; and the other of culture. In Song of Solomon 4:1212A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (Song of Solomon 4:12), the Bridegroom says, “A garden enclosed is my sister-spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed; thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits” : the bride in response says, “Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits” he accepts the loving call, “I am come into my garden, my sister-spouse!” Israel was God's cultivated garden in the old dispensation; the Church is His cultivated garden now. Hence the words of the apostle in 1 Corinthians 3:99For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9), “Ye are God's husbandry.” Individual saints are His plants, tenderly cared for in infinite wisdom and love. Of mere religionists the Lord Jesus once said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:1313But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matthew 15:13)).
Another image of beauty as far as Israel is concerned is found in Ezekiel 16 Jehovah is there remonstrating with the people for their ingratitude. He likens Israel to an outcast babe which he adopted and nourished with gracious care. “Thy renown went forth amongst the nations for thy beauty, for it was perfect through My comeliness which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord Jehovah” (vs. 14). Moses in Psalm 90, says, “Let the beauty of Jehovah our God be upon us.” “Thy beautiful flock,” said Jehovah reproachfully in Jeremiah 13:2020Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? (Jeremiah 13:20) to the rulers who neglected His people.
We who in this age believe in Jesus stand before God in all the perfection and acceptability of the Risen One. In Colossians 3:1212Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12) the apostle uses of Christians the same terms as are used elsewhere of Christ, “The elect of God, holy, and beloved.” Compare Isaiah 42:11Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1), “Behold My servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth.” In Acts 2:2727Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (Acts 2:27): “Thou wilt not suffer Thine holy One to see corruption.” In Matthew 3:1717And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17): “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Seeing that God in His grace speaks of us as He speaks of His own Son let us “walk as He walked” (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6).). Those who are beautiful before God should also be beautiful before men. Our practical state should correspond to our standing.
What Fragrance! “As the trees of lign aloes which Jehovah hath planted.” Aloes were used for the purposes of fumigation and incense, the wood having a sweet smell. In Psalm 45, which describes the great King coming forth in His majesty, we read, “All thy garments smell of myrrh and aloes, and cassia.” When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took down the body of our blessed Lord from the cross they wound it in linen cloths, with a hundred pounds weight of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-4039And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:39‑40)). Someone has said that the aloe tree is “an image of all that is lovely, fragrant, flourishing, and incorruptible.” Wonderful that Jehovah should select this particular tree as setting forth the fragrance of His people in His sight! On the same principle He bade Moses put pure frankincense upon the twelve loaves which stood continually upon the table of shewbread in the sanctuary (Lev. 24:77And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (Leviticus 24:7)). The frankincense upon the meal-offering typified the fragrance of Christ to God (Lev. 2:22And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord: (Leviticus 2:2)); the frankincense upon the twelve loaves teaches us that God's people, viewed as “in Christ,” are fragrant as He. This thought should have a profound effect upon our lives. In measure as we are occupied with God and with Christ our lives will be fragrant to those who have to do with us. They will be conscious as they behold our words and ways that we are accustomed to intimacy with God. The very face of Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai revealed the fact that he had been occupied with God (Ex. 34:2929And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (Exodus 34:29)).
What Dignity! “As cedar trees beside the waters.” In the description of the bridegroom (Christ) in Song of Solomon 5:1515His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. (Song of Solomon 5:15) we read, “His countenance (or, bearing) is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.” In Balaam's third parable the same image of stateliness and dignity is applied to Israel. There has never been on earth so dignified a nation. They stood in special relationship to God, separated from all others; they possessed His word; and they were constituted the pivot of His ways in government and blessing (Psa. 147:19-2019He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 147:19‑20)). Alas, the people's hearts have never yet entered into the reality of it!
In this era, while Israel is estranged from God, Christians are God's cedars. Every believer in Jesus is a very dignified person indeed—in the divine estimation! He is a child, son, and heir of God. He stands in nearer relation to God than the most exalted of angelic beings, for he is a member of the royal family of the universe. He will be displayed in majesty with the Firstborn Son when He comes forth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to reign. The world will be amazed at the magnificent display of glory on that day. All this is true of every Christian without distinction; but the world has no understanding of these marvels. “The world knoweth us not because it knew Him not” (1 John 3:11Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1)). The sense of God's wonderful grace gives moral dignity in our bearing towards men. Carnal pride and pretension is hateful to God, but the moral dignity which results from appreciation of His grace is acceptable in His sight.
What Sufficiency! “Planted... beside the waters.” God plants judiciously; man, not always. God knows that His plants need nourishment, and He places them where they can get it, and moreover provides them with means whereby they can absorb it. There is a suggestion of trees in Colossians 2:77Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7): “Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught.” The rooting is the act of God, and once for all He roots His saints in Christ. Then, like trees, we are built up and established as we draw to ourselves the nourishment divinely provided. This is our responsibility, and it is continuous. There is no lack on God's part. “The river of God is full of water,” and it greatly enriches all who draw from it (Psa. 65:1010Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. (Psalm 65:10)). In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and we are complete (filled full) in Him (Col. 2:9-109For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:9‑10)). One great object for which the epistle to the Colossians was written was to stress the truth that the Christian need not, and should not, go outside of Christ for anything. There was some danger in this respect in Colosse. Other things were being presented to them to be added to their Christianity. “Christ is all,” says the apostle in chapter 3:11.
The people of Israel, although planted beside the waters—that is to say, they were in direct relationship with Jehovah, were frequently turning aside from Him, to their own hurt, as well as to His dishonor. But there is a day coming when the people will turn back to the One they have so grievously neglected. They will see God in Christ, and then it will be said: “Jehovah shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought; and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isa. 8:1111For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, (Isaiah 8:11)). In Jeremiah 31:1212Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. (Jeremiah 31:12) it is added: “They shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of Jehovah, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock, and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” Let us avoid Israel's failure, and “hold fast the Head, from whom all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God” (Col. 2:1919And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19)).
What Overflowing! Those who are drawing from the infinite resources of God have something to impart to others. They take in more than they can well contain, hence Balaam's words (although the poor man did not know what he was saying), “he shall pour water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters.” If Balak had understood what he was now hearing he would have had no dread of Israel. The people were intended to be a blessing to all the nations; they were to spread abroad the knowledge of the one true God; and to share with others His wonderful grace. Israel has never yet risen to this. How cruelly the Jewish people persecuted Paul because he carried the Gospel to the Gentiles. Away with such a fellow from the earth; it is not fit that he should live” (Acts 22:2222And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. (Acts 22:22)). In the Kingdom-age their whole attitude will be changed. The beautiful Psalm 67 expresses the joy of the people as they share their blessings with the nations around them. Micah 5:77And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. (Micah 5:7) says, “The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as a dew from Jehovah, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.”
While Israel is dry and barren, unblessed by God, and a curse to the world rather than a blessing (Jer. 26:66Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. (Jeremiah 26:6)), believers in Jesus have a fountain of water within themselves springing up into eternal life (John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)) and from them rivers of living water are flowing forth (John 7:3838He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)). This is the power of the Holy Spirit making the things of Christ very real to the Christian, and enabling him to communicate them to others out of the fullness of his heart. The word “buckets” suggests energy in drawing. Where are we as to this? Are we filling our buckets with the good things of God, and pouring them forth to those around us? Also, are we making such advance in the spiritual life that we need larger buckets than once we did? Are we drawing up larger supplies than ever, and pouring them forth abundantly? “Young men” and “fathers” should be able to handle larger buckets than “babes” (1 John 2:12-2712I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:12‑27)). “His seed shall be in many waters” expresses the universality of service and testimony for God. “The waters... are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15)).
What Power! The
victorious power of the people of God, when Christ takes His place at their head, is the theme of Balaam's final parable; but he concluded his third utterance with some reference to it: The King and His Kingdom rise up before the prophet's vision. “His King shall be higher than Agag, and His Kingdom shall be exalted.” The King here is Christ, higher than earth's highest. Balaam vividly describes the power of God as it acts for, and in His chosen people. “God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn (or buffalo); he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows” (vs. 8). For the second time reference is made to the great deliverance from Egypt. The God who broke the power of the enemy at that time will break the power of even mightier foes in the coming day (
Mic. 5:88And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. (Micah 5:8)).
In Numbers 24:99He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. (Numbers 24:9) Balaam was constrained to reaffirm two ancient prophecies concerning Israel. Jacob said of Judah in Gen. 49:99Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? (Genesis 49:9): “Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up; he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?” Balaam said: “He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion; who shall stir him up?” Jehovah said to Abram in Genesis 12:33And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3): “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee.” Balaam said: “Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.” Thus did the God of Israel confirm His word by the lips of an implacable foe!
If God's earthly people were unconquerable, and superior to all the malice of the enemy, this is yet more blessedly true of God's heavenly saints. We are even now established before Him in Christ the victorious One, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us both individually and collectively. Thus the blessing is full and secure, and the power abundant, may our faith rise up to it all!