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 4:17).
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 24:2 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. 3:10); and upon Azariah the prophet in the days of Asa (2 Chron. 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. 19:20-24). None of these were saints, for murder was in their hearts at the time. In 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 1:18. 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. 24:31; Isa. 21:13). It will then be said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa. 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 9:14). 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. 12:18). “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. 4:16). 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 4:12, 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 3:9, “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. 15:13).
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 13:20 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 3:12 the apostle uses of Christians the same terms as are used elsewhere of Christ, “The elect of God, holy, and beloved.” Compare Isaiah 42:1, “Behold My servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth.” In Acts 2:27: “Thou wilt not suffer Thine holy One to see corruption.” In 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 2:6.). 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 19:39-40). 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. 24:7). The frankincense upon the meal-offering typified the fragrance of Christ to God (Lev. 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. 34:29).
What Dignity! “As cedar trees beside the waters.” In the description of the bridegroom (Christ) in 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. 147:19-20). 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 3:1). 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 2:7: “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. 65:10). In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and we are complete (filled full) in Him (Col. 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. 8:11). In 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. 2:19).
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 22:22). 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 5:7 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. 26:6), believers in Jesus have a fountain of water within themselves springing up into eternal life (John 4:14) and from them rivers of living water are flowing forth (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 2:12-27). “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. 17:15).
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. 5:8).
In Numbers 24:9 Balaam was constrained to reaffirm two ancient prophecies concerning Israel. Jacob said of Judah in Gen. 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 12:3: “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!