Numbers 24
Balaam blesses the children of Israelverses 1-9
And when Balaam saw that it PLEASED the LORD to BLESS Israel
he went not – as at other times – to seek for enchantments
BUT he set his face toward the wilderness
And Balaam lifted up his eyes
and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes
and the SPIRIT of God came on him
And he took up his parable
and said
Balaam the son of Beor has said
and the man whose eyes are open has said
He has said – which heard the WORDS of God
which saw the VISION of the Almighty
falling into a trance – but having his eyes open
How goodly are your tents – O Jacob – and your tabernacles O Israel
as the valleys are they spread forth
as gardens by the river’s side
as the trees of jingaloes which the LORD has planted
and as cedar trees beside the waters
He shall pour the water out of his buckets
and his seed shall be in many waters
and his king higher than Agag
and his kingdom shall be exalted
God brought him forth out of Egypt
he has as it were the strength of an unicorn
he shall eat up the nations his enemies
and shall break their bones
and pierce them through with his arrows
he couched – he lay down as a lion – and as a great lion
who shall stir him up?
Blessed is HE that blesses you
and cursed is he that curses you
King Balak angryverses 10-11
And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam
and he smote his hands together
And Balak said to Balaam
I called you to curse mine enemies and behold
you have altogether blessed them these three times
THEREFORE now flee you to your place
I thought to promote you unto great honor
BUT lo – the LORD has kept you back from honor
Balaam explains his actionsverses 12-14
And Balaam
said to Balak
Spoke I not also to your messengers which you sent unto me
saying
IF Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold
I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD
to do either good or bad of mine own mind
BUT what the LORD said that will I speak?
AND now – behold – I go to my people – come therefore
and I will advertise you what this people shall do to
your people in the LATTER DAYS
Balaam explains Israel’s futureverses 15-19
And he took up his parable
and said
Balaam the son of Beor has said
and the man whose eyes are open has said
He has said – which heard the WORDS of God
and knew the KNOWLEDGE of the most High
which saw the VISION of the Almighty
falling into a trance
but having his eyes open
I shall see HIM but not now – I shall behold HIM but not nigh
there shall come a STAR out of Jacob
a SCEPTER shall rise out of Israel
and shall smite the corners of Moab
and destroy all the children of Sheth
And Edom shall be a possession
Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies
And Israel shall do valiantly
Out of Jacob shall come HE that shall have dominion
and shall destroy him that remains of the city
Balaam give parable to Amalekverse 20
And when he looked on Amalek – he took up his parable
and said
Amalek was the first of the nations
BUT his later end shall be that he perish for ever
Balaam tells of Kenite futureverses 21-22
And he looked on the Kenites – and took up his parable
and said
Strong is your dwelling place
and you put your nest in a rock
Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted
until Asshur shall carry you away captive
Balaam deals with the affliction of Assyriaverses 23-24
And he took up his parable
and said
Alas – who shall live when God does this
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim
and shall afflict Asshur
and shall afflict Eber
and he also shall perish for ever
Balaam and Balak part companyverse 25
And Balaam rose up – and went and returned to his place
and Balak also went his way
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came on him. (1961 “came” [hayah] means prophetic power, to be possessed, be, to change from one state to another, exist, or happen)
DEVOTION: Here we have a man who is not an Israelite who knows the personal name of God, Jehovah, and yet is a false prophet. He has come to know what God expects of him as a employee of Balak the king of Moab. He knows that the LORD is only going to bless the children of Israel so for this third occasion he doesn’t even leave the presence of the king of Moab.
The Holy Spirit possesses him with a message from the Father regarding the future of Israel. The Holy Spirit came upon men in the Old Testament for a time period. Sometimes it was only for a short time period. HE gave a message for Balaam to tell the king of Moab regarding the future of Israel.
At present the children of Israel were dwelling in tents but in the future, they were going to have a king that would become the final ruler of Israel and of entire world.
This future KING would be Jesus Christ during the Millennium. There would be other kings who would do great things for the nation and for the LORD but the ultimate KING is Jesus Christ the Messiah.
So we have a false prophet who the Holy Spirit uses to convey a message regarding the future of Israel. The LORD wants us to know that HE can use any individual HE chooses to give us HIS message. HE is in control of the past, present and future. HE knew before the foundation of the world what was going to happen in this time period and in the time period when Christ walked the earth and the future time period when HE would reign over the entire world.
Don’t limit the knowledge of God to the past or present. HE is omniscient. HE is all powerful. HE is in control. No human can resist HIS power. Balaam was an instrument HE used to confirm HIS plan for Israel in the future to Balak and the Moabites.
Today the Holy Spirit comes on individual who become believers and stays with them until they die or the LORD comes. HE does not exist in the body of a person who rejects Jesus Christ today. Those who are believers have the gift of the Holy Spirit advising them regarding their gifts and future. Listen to the Holy Spirit within you if you are believer.
CHALLENGE: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is important in our life to help us understand our current circumstances and our future. Listen to HIM!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 He has said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open. (4236 “vision” [machazeh] means a religious or mystical experience of a supernatural appearance that imparts a message, often in dreams, in an ecstatic state, revelation or a rational communication from God to an individual)
DEVOTION: God spoke to people in the past differently than HE does today. Today HE has communicated through HIS Son, Jesus Christ, through HIS disciples. They have written what they had learned from the life of Jesus and written it down through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Balaam was someone who was used of God to talk to the ruler of the nation of Moab who wanted the children of Israel cursed, so that, he could conquer them. This didn’t happen. He didn’t like what Balaam was saying.
So we have Balaam receiving words from the LORD and stating them even if he didn’t want to follow them himself. There are many false prophets today that say they hear the word of the LORD but in reality they are just words they have received from another source other than God.
We have to realize that God can use anyone to get HIS message across to other human being. HE has used a donkey in this account to tell Balaam he is heading in the wrong direction.
God today uses those who are genuine believers to communicate HIS truth to the world. There are many false prophets out there but are not interpreting the Word of God, the Bible correctly.
The Holy Spirit gives us a correct interpretation of the Bible if we are listening to HIM. CHALLENGE: We need to watch out for those who use the Bible to fool people and are taking their money for person gain rather than the glory of God.
: 11 Therefore now flee you to your place: I thought to promote you to great honor; but, lo, the LORD has kept you back from honor. (3513 “promote” [kabad] means to weigh heavily upon, to bestow honor or rewards upon, honored, distinguish, glorify, or to make heavy.)
DEVOTION: What does the world think of those who want to please the LORD? Does it want to honor them? Does it want to curse them? Does it even think about those who what to honor the LORD?
Here is a king that offered a house full of money to Balaam to curse the children of Israel but these three times he has blessed them instead because he stated that he would only say what the LORD told him to say.
Once we commit our life to the LORD that should be the type of commitment we should make to the LORD. We should honor the LORD with all of our words. We should show love to the family of the LORD as HE shows us love. Our communication should always be pleasing to the LORD.
Balaam was not going to be honored by this pagan king because he didn’t get what he wanted from him. He wanted curses and never got them so he was not going to give Balaam any money. He was just going to send him home empty handed.
Who does he blame for Balaam’s lack of reward? He blames God. Did he think that God would be happy if he had cursed the children of Israel? God wasn’t to blame HE told Balaam not to go in the first place. Balaam really wanted to go because the money was too good to turn down.
This pagan prophet didn’t want to go home empty handed. He was willing to listen to the LORD until it cost him his reward. He would come up with a way to receive the money he thought he deserved.
CHALLENGE: Watch out if money is your bottom line instead of pleasing the LORD!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise you what this people shall do to your people in the later days. (3289 “advertise” [ya`ats] means to deliberate, resolve, take advise, consult, counsel, determine, guide, or purpose)
DEVOTION: Have you ever felt like the LORD was holding you back from great success? Here we find Balak telling Balaam that the LORD was holding him back from great wealth. Too often our world thinks that being a follower of the Jesus Christ is wrong. It is holding a person back from really understanding the world in which we live.
Balaam was called to curse Israel but each time he went to see the LORD he blessed them instead. In fact, this passage informs us that the Holy Spirit came upon him and he spoke. This got Balak mad at him. Balak sent him away after trying three times to get him to curse Israel.
Balaam volunteered to give Balak an insight into the future victories of Israel. He even told of the coming Messiah. Balaam was going to tell Balak what the LORD was going to do with his people in the future.
The LORD revealed many things in the future to Balaam and he shared them with Balak.
We have the predictions in our Bible to show us that the LORD does know the future and HE is in control. The LORD is sovereign on this earth. When HE tells the future, it will happen. So often we doubt the LORD’S ability to protect HIS people. HE is going to protect us. HE has a plan for us. HE is going to work HIS plan concerning us.
Just like Balaam we have the ability to understand the Word of God because of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have the knowledge of the Most High. We can see what the LORD is doing. Our eyes are the only ones who can truly be opened. Without Christ the rest of the world is blind. They don’t understand. They don’t care to understand. We are to care what the LORD wants to share with us. We need to praise HIM!!!
CHALLENGE: Are we going to guide others into what the LORD has to say to them? Are we sharing the message of Christ with those around us? We should be sharing the truth regarding the future of our relatives and friends without Christ.
: 17 I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh; there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (7626 “Sceptre” [shebet] means a ceremonial or ornamental staff that was also a sign of authority or sovereignty, staff, rod, mark of authority, club, or a shepherd’s implement.)
DEVOTION: Throughout the Old Testament there are references to a coming King. Starting in Genesis we find that the world needs a Savior. The Savior was going to bruise the head of our enemy Satan but Satan is going to bruise the heel of the Messiah.
From the book of Genesis on we will be finding many references regarding the coming Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The name Christ means anointed one or messiah.
Now we know that the star was what showed the wise men to come to the house where Jesus was living. Jesus was probably about two years old when the wise men found HIM. They provided the funds for Jesus and his parents to flee to Egypt before Herod could try to kill HIM.
Also, we know that a “scepter” was something that a king has in his hand when he is ruling his nation. Christ is going to have a Scepter in HIS hand when HE rules over the world in the Millennium.
So here is a pagan prophet under the influence of the Holy Spirit informing a pagan king that there was a coming King who would destroy his nation forever.
We have to realize that our God is omniscient regarding everything that is happening and HE knew it before the foundation of the world. It is hard to comprehend God and we should try to understand HIM and please HIM and honor HIM every day while we try learn more about HIM through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life who helps us understand the Bible.
CHALLENGE: The LORD Jesus Christ is coming in the future in the days of Balaam. HE is coming in our future. We have to be prepared for HIS return to set up HIS kingdom. Are we ready today?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Tabernaclesverse 5
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Words of Godverses 4, 16
Commandment of the LORDverse 13
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 6, 11, 13
God (Elohim)verses 2, 4, 8, 16, 23
Words of Godverses 4, 16
Vision of the Almightyverses 4, 16
Commandment of the LORDverse 13
Knowledge of the Most Highverse 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
King higher than Agagverse 7
Star out of Jacobverse 17
Scepterverse 17
Dominionverse 19
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter
Spirit of Godverse 2
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Balaam – prophet – son of Beorverses 1-25
Use of enchantments
Parable
Eyes are open
Blessed Israel three times
Vision of later days
Returned to his place
Egyptverse 8
Nationsverse 8
Enemiesverses 8, 10, 18
Balak – king of Moabverses 10-13, 25
Angry at Balaam
Went his way
Smite corners of Moabverse 17
Children of Sheth: destroyverse 17
Edomverse 18
Amalekverse 20
Perish forever
Kenitesverses 21, 22
Asshurverses 22, 24
Ships from the coast of Chittimverse 24
Eberverse 24
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Enchantmentsverse 1
Curse Israelverses 9, 10
Badverse 13
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Please the LORDverse 1
Blessedverses 1, 9, 10
Strengthverse 8
Blessedverse 10
Kept back from false honorverse 11
Speak as the LORD instructsverse 13
Good in the mindverse 13
Do valiantlyverse 18
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Israelverses 2, 5, 17, 18
Tribesverse 2
Jacobverses 5, 17, 19
King – higher than Agagverse 7
Kingdom shall be exalted
Shall do valiantlyverse 18
Dominionverse 19
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Latter daysverse 14
Perish for eververses 20, 24
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QUOTES regarding passage
The royal scepter or staff represented the position of a ruler, a symbol of authority and power. In the blessing of Jacob upon his son Judah, the patriarch stated that the scepter would not depart from Judah (Gen 49:9–10), meaning that Judah’s royal lineage would be everlasting. Moses and Aaron carried staffs (same Hb. word), which symbolized their divinely granted authority and power over nature. Scepters or staffs were thin wooden or metal poles, sometimes capped by a mace head of copper or bronze and shaped in various forms. In Bronze Age Egyptian murals, the pharaoh is depicted smiting his foes with his glorious scepter, as the future king of Israel is portrayed in the next627 (Cole, R. D. (2000). Numbers (Vol. 3B, p. 426). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
He speaks of the star and the scepter who is to rise. Here is a prophecy of the Christ who is the light and guiding power of Israel. Thus, not Israel as a people, but the sovereign Christ, coming from Israel, is the conquering One. The Christ was not yet present, or near, but to see Israel was to see the Christ whom the Lord had promised. Balaam then speaks of the Christ as sovereign judge and executor. He, the offspring and ruler of Israel, will crush the forehead and/or temple of the Moabites. He will uproot Edom from its land. Amalek, who came out to fight Israel (Exod. 17:8–13), will be destroyed. The Midianites (Kenites) who joined Moab in requesting the curse on Israel will be captured by Assyria; and Assyria in turn will be destroyed. (Elwell, W. A. (1995). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, Nu 24:12). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House)
The fourth oracle (vv. 15–19). The preface is similar to that of the third oracle (vv. 3–4), emphasizing that what Balaam saw and heard came from the Lord. It was so overwhelming that it left the prophet prostrate on the ground. You would think that such a remarkable experience with the living God would have brought Balaam to the place of submission and faith, but it did not. It only shows how close an unbeliever can come to the knowledge of the Lord and still reject the truth (Matt. 7:15–23).
The vision is brief and to the point; it focuses on the coming Messiah of Israel and His conquests “in the latter days” (Num. 24:14). The images of the star and scepter speak of Messiah’s kingship and reign (Gen. 49:10; Rev. 22:16), and “out of Jacob shall he come who shall have dominion” certainly refers to Messiah (Num. 24:19; Ps. 72:8; Zech. 9:10; Rev. 1:6). While a part of this vision may have been fulfilled in a lesser way in the conquests of David, Jesus the Son of David will fulfill them completely when He returns to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom on the earth (Rev. 19:11–20:6).
But the soothsayer wasn’t finished. As he stood on the top of Peor, he had visions concerning other nations and predicted their destiny. Amalek (Num. 24:20) was the first nation to attack Israel after their exodus from Egypt (Ex. 17:8–16), but they would be finally defeated and wiped out by David (1 Sam. 27:8–9; 2 Sam. 8:11–12). The Kenites (Num. 24:21–22) were a nomadic people who lived among the Midianites. They lived in the mountainous regions, but their “nest” wouldn’t protect them from the invading Assyrians (Asshur) who would take them captive. The fate of the nations is in God’s hands (Acts 17:24–28), and no nation or individual could survive apart from His mercy (Num. 24:23).
The predictions in verse 25 are difficult to interpret, but as Dr. Roland B. Allen states, “[O]ne nation will rise and supplant another, only to face its own doom. In contrast there is the implied ongoing blessing on the people of Israel and their sure promise of a future deliverer who will have the final victory.…” It is a remarkable thing that God gave this vision to a covetous Gentile soothsayer instead of to a dedicated Jewish prophet. But He is sovereign in all His ways, and His ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:8–11). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be counted (pp. 110–111). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
24:15–16. Balaam’s fourth prophecy begins as the third one did—with a recognition that true understanding comes only from God (cf. vv. 3–4). The pagan mentioned three names or epithets of God: God (’ēl, “the powerful One“), the Most High (‘elyôn, “the uplifted One“), and the Almighty (šadday, “the abundant One” or “the Almighty One“; cf. comments on Gen. 17:1). All these names were familiar in the ancient Near East and did not refer exclusively to the Lord of Israel. But the context of the Balaam oracles indicates beyond question that he was referring only to the Lord. The Lord had caused him to fall prostrate and in that posture to have his spiritual eyes … opened to God’s truth. (Merrill, E. H. (1985). Numbers. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 244). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Ver. 15. And he took up his parable, and said, &c.] In this and the following verse; the same preface, in the same words, is made to his prophecy as before, ver. 3, 4 see the notes there; only one clause is added, and knew the knowledge of the Most High; that Balaam had some knowledge of God is certain from the names by which he calls him, being such that he made himself known by to the patriarchs, and by which he is frequently called in the sacred writings; but then this knowledge of his was merely notional and speculative, and not spiritual and supernatural, and was such as men may have who are destitute of the grace of God: he was one that professed to know him in words, but in works denied him, see 1 Cor. 13:2; Tit. 1:16 and he also was admitted to much nearness to God, and converse with him, of which he boasted; but then this was not for his own sake, or as a mark of friendship to him, but for the sake of the people of Israel, and to prevent his doing them mischief. His prophecy follows.
Ver. 17. I shall see him, but not now, &c.] Meaning not Israel, for he now saw him encamped, and at no great distance; but one that should descend from him, a famous and excellent person, and who is no other than the Messiah, as appears by what follows; him he should see, not spiritually with an eye of faith, nor corporeally with his bodily eyes in his state of incarnation, but at the day of judgment; and now, indeed, he saw him by a spirit of prophecy: I shall behold him, but not nigh; signifying, that the coming of this illustrious Person, who should smite the borders of Moab, was not near, and therefore Balak had no reason to indulge any present fears; and that when he was come either into the world to save men, or to judgment, Balaam would have no nearness to him, nor interest in him; he would see him at the last day, but not for himself, as Job says he should, ch. 19:25, 26, 27 there shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; which Aben Ezra interprets of David, though he says many interpret it of the Messiah; and there are some writers, both Jewish and Christian, that understand it partly of David, and partly of Christ, and chiefly of him, and of David as a type of him; the fulfilment of which was only in part in David, but principally and completely in Christ. Maimonides parts the prophecy between them: the whole undoubtedly agrees with Christ, and belongs unto him: the star and sceptre may be considered as names and titles of the Messiah; he is called the morning-star, Rev. 22:16 for his glory, brightness, and splendour, and for the light that comes by him, and the influence of his grace, and the blessings of it on the sons of men; and hence a false Messiah took the name of Bar Cochab, the son of a star, to answer to this prophecy; and he may be called a sceptre, that is, a sceptre-bearer, because of his royalty; he not only has the name of a king, but has a kingdom, both of nature, providence, and grace, and rules with a sceptre of grace, mercy, and righteousness; and as he was to spring from Jacob or Israel, so he did, being a son of Abraham, a descendant of Jacob, of the tribe of Judah, and family of David, Matt. 1:1; Rom. 1:4 and 9:4, 5 but I rather think that the star is to be considered as a sign and circumstance of his coming, and that the words may be rendered, when a star steers its course from Jacob, or unto Jacob, then a sceptre, or sceptre-bearer, shall rise out of Israel, or rise up unto Israel; for the particle מ sometimes signifies unto; and that the appearance of a star in Israel was a sign of the Messiah’s coming is certain from Matt. 2:1, 2 of which the Magi were informed by Zoroastres their founder, who, being of Jewish extract, had got it from this prophecy of Balaam; and it is as evident that the Jews expected the appearance of an extraordinary star at the time of the Messiah’s coming; for so they say more than once, in an ancient book of theirsf, that “when the Messiah shall be revealed, a bright and shining star shall arise in the east;” which expectation must be founded on this prophecy: and shall smite the corners of Moab; not only the corners of their houses and cities, but the extreme parts and borders of the land, even all the sides, and the whole of it; or the princes and great men of the land, sometimes called corners, see Zech. 10:4 and so the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, “and shall kill the princes of Moab;” or the mighty ones of Moab, as the Jerusalem Targum; this was literally fulfilled in David, 2 Sam. 8:2; Psal. 60 and figuratively and mystically in Christ, by subduing his enemies, signified by Moabites, as being the enemies of Israel; either by reducing them through the power of his grace to obedience to him, or by smiting and breaking them in pieces with a rod of iron; and which will be more plainly and fully accomplished when he shall destroy those Moabites, the antichristian nations, Rev. 19:15–21 and destroy all the children of Sheth; some take Sheth to be the name of some famous king among the Moabites, as Grotius; others, the name of some city of Moab, which David utterly destroyed, as R. Nathan; others suppose some particular nations are meant, as either the Edomites, so called because they put confidence in their foundations, and fortified places, so Vitringah; or the Egyptians, from Seth or Sethos, one of their kings, who was known by the name Egyptus, as a late learned writer of ours conjectures; but rather by the children of Seth are meant all nations, as Jarchi observes, for all come from Seth, the son of the first man; and so the words may be rendered, as they are by Onkelos, “he shall rule over all the children of men;” which will be fulfilled in Christ, when he shall have put down all rule and authority, and all will be subject to him, and his kingdom be from sea to sea, and his dominion from the river to the ends of the earth; unless rather by the children of Seth are meant the special people of God, in distinction from others, and in allusion to the distinction between the Sethites and Cainites, the one being the people of God, the other not; and so it may be interpreted of Christ’s gathering them to him, by clucking as it were for them, as a hen gathers her chickens; so the word is used in Jewish writings, and of God himself; for it is saidk the holy blessed God מקרקר, clucks over them, as hens do, which is the simile our Lord himself uses, Matt. 23:37 the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan interpret this prophecy of the Messiah by name; and so do many other Jewish writers, both ancient and modernm. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 828–829). London: Mathews and Leigh.
24:15–19 Balaam’s Final Oracle. This oracle begins like the previous one (cf. vv. 3–4 with vv. 15–16). But it rapidly becomes a prophecy about the rise of the Davidic dynasty, which conquered the surrounding peoples, including Moab (2 Sam. 8:2–12). (Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 305). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The CHURCH in an age of CRISIS by James Emery White
This is a relatively new cultural dynamic. As Ian Barbour notes, when religion first met modern science in the seventeenth century, the encounter was a friendly one. “By the eighteenth century many scientists believed in a God who had designed the universe, but they no longer believed in a personal God actively involved in the world, and human life. By the nineteenth century,” Barbour concludes “…. Scientist were hostile to religion.” (p. 40)
But do not think they mean that those with religious conviction can pursue science with a religious worldview on equal footing as those who engage it with a naturalistic perspective. (p 42)
Smith and his colleagues call this new faith “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism,” a belief system that embraces the existence of a god who demands little more than to be nice, with the central goal of life to be happy and feel good about oneself. God is not particularly needed in daily life except to resolve various problems that may come our way (think Divine Butler or Cosmic Therapist). (p. 47)
So what has influenced these young people toward such an emptying of content in regard to their faith? Alarmingly, three out of four students say that their beliefs simply mirror those of their parents. (p 48)
In truth, taking the Bible literally simply means that you take it at face value, which is the proper task of hermeneutics. If it is poetry, read and interpret it as poetry. If it is history, read and interpret it as history. It also means that you take into account the historical-cultural context as well as the wider theological context of the entire canon. (p.52)
Break Point: Several months ago, I asked friends and ministry leaders to help us pray our way through the upcoming election season. For weeks now, each Wednesday morning at 10:30 eastern time, thousands have joined us on Zoom and Facebook Live to pray for the Church and the nation.
Common themes have emerged from Pastors such as Rick Warren and Bishop Felix Orji and thought leaders such as Os Guinness and Bob Fu: Our trust must be in God, not in princes, and repentance must begin inside the Church.
Now, just days before the election, I asked my friend and hero Joni Eareckson Tada to also lead us in prayer. She graciously agreed and provided it to us by video. Use it in your family and small group to pray for what’s certain to be a chaotic election day and week. Share it widely with friends and family by email and social media.
In an incredible segment, Joni reflects on our role as citizens who love and follow Christ and calls us to national righteousness:
“I hope you are ready to pray, because we are asking God to mercifully and powerfully mobilize His people, including you and me. We want to be mobilized to advance across this nation, all things that are true and good.
“The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation. And it starts with prayer. In Hebrews chapter seven, we see an amazing picture of Jesus interceding about that very thing. It says there that He ‘lives to intercede.’
“It’s what Jesus is doing this minute. So right now, I want you to picture yourself in that throne room in the third heaven, would you? See yourself dropping to your knees next to your lord and savior.
“Join Him, would you, right now in intercession, stand in the gap between God and the people of this nation. Plead for God’s people to get serious about 2 Chronicles 7:14. Ask the Holy Spirit to sweep clean our hearts. Because if you and I cherish any sin, if we coddle any sinful habits, God will not hear us. Let’s implore God on behalf of so many of our fellow Americans that desperately need the light of Christ’s hope and salvation.
“The Colson Center team has asked me to bring before you the needs of those who are most vulnerable in our country, and that includes the medically fragile, the weak, the elderly, those with disabilities, infants and pre-born children — because I know that Jesus is praying for them.
“Just recently I saw on television, a national prominent athlete who developed ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I was deeply moved by his story. Although he sat stiff and rigid in this wheelchair, he smiled as he puffed and sipped his mouth controls to steer his wheelchair.
“The next day, I kept running into people saying, ‘Man, you just see that guy on TV with his paralysis, isn’t he an inspiration?’ I smiled and nodded, but I thought, ‘Just last week, everyone was talking about assisted suicide for people like him with life threatening conditions.’
“One day the star athlete in the wheelchair is positioned as a picture of courage. The next, he’s a helpless victim for whom mercy killing seems very reasonable.
“Man, the times are dark. Surely you sense that. I know you sense the heaviness, the dark, sinister divisions, the lack of simple civility, even at the grocery store.
“Everyone’s trust is broken. We don’t trust the news. We don’t trust people’s motives. Don’t trust what they say.
“It is so like the times of Isaiah, where he groans, “See, darkness covers the Earth, thick darkness over the peoples.”
“But, and here’s where you come in as an intercessor. ‘But the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.’
“Oh, that our nation might come to the light of Christ!”
The video continues with Joni leading us in prayer herself—placing specific requests before God.
Please, join Joni, me, and thousands of others as we lift up the Church, the vulnerable, and our nation.
Colossians 3
We have been raised up with Christ and should seek the things above.
INSIGHT
It is possible to be one place physically and another place mentally. It happens every Sunday morning in church. Bodies warm the pews while minds roam the kitchens and golf courses of the nation. In a graver example, prisoners of war survive by taking themselves mentally into another world away from the prison and there find meaning and solace. We, as Christians, are to do the same. We are to take ourselves out of the physical world, into the spiritual world, and operate according to its values, truths, and realities. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above. . . . Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (vv. 1-2). (Quiet Walk)
MORE TOTALITARIAN HARASSMENT OF CHURCHES IN CALIFORNIA (Friday Church News Notes, October 30, 2020, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) – The government of California is acting like a communist state in its actions toward churches. Most recently, health officials of Los Angeles County cited 11 parishioners who attended a worship service at Our Lady of the Angels Church that seats 500. The citation carries a $1,000 fine (“Clear Case of Retaliation,” The Daily Wire, Oct. 26, 2020). On October 20, county inspectors attempted to eject two women praying alone in the church and threatened them with citations. In late September, the church joined in a lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newson and other state officials claiming that their rights under the state constitution were being violated by the extended lockdown. In September, North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, was fined more than $112,000 for congregating contrary to the state’s regulations. Los Angeles County has repeatedly sought to shut down the services of Grace Community Church of Sun Valley and to hold Pastor John MacArthur in contempt, but in early October a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that the church is entitled to a full trial on the merits of their challenge to the constitutionality of the government shut-down orders and the county’s injunction. This delays implementation of the fines and possible imprisonment sought by the totalitarian county.
(Way of Life Literature)
ASSURANCE IN PRAYER
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:21-22
Over and above my confidence is my right of access; I must have assurance with regard to my petitions.
James puts it like this: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God….” But notice this: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:5-7). If you are uncertain, doubtful, or hesitant and lacking assurance in your petition, you will not get your request, says James. Listen to the psalmist in Psalm 66:18: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” If I go to God with a double mind, holding on to my sin and knowing that I am living a wrong life, I will not have confidence in my prayer. “God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20); if I am condemning myself and know I am wrong, how much more so must God.
Now I think that our Lord Himself has answered this question in John’s Gospel. He put it like this: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). Or again: “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16).
If I am keeping God’s commandments, then I can be certain that my life is being controlled by the Holy Spirit, and therefore I know that any petitions and desires I may have were created in me by the Holy Spirit.
A Thought to Ponder
If I go to God holding on to my sin and knowing that I am living a wrong life, I will not have confidence in my prayer.
(From Children of God, pp. 129-130, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Blotted Out
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:14-15)
The old ordinances have been “blotted out” by Christ, having “broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Ephesians 2:14-16).
The requirements of the Law were our “adversary” and must be eliminated before we could be “circumcised” by Christ (Colossians 2:11). The omnipotent Lord Jesus was the only One who could accomplish this. The arche (first ones) and the exousia (authorities) were “disarmed.” Jesus Christ has “gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22). He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
There is not much direct information in the Scriptures about the events in the heavenlies at the time of the Lord’s crucifixion. Bracketed by the agonizing plea of abandonment “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) and the three hours of darkness (Luke 23:44), there are a few insights that help us grasp the wonder of His victory cry “It is finished!”
“When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive…he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:8-9). Whatever took place in those awful hours, all of heaven now knows that Jesus now sits “on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Hebrews 10:12-13).
(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
Sol writes (Mexico): This is the acceptable temple. This may be the day of your salvation.
THE BIBLE presents human nature as hostile to God. Predict a future full of problems. Teach them that the road to heaven is narrow and the road to hell is too wide and was written for our example. Rom. 15:4 Cor 10:6
The most wonderful thing is that although the natural man is hostile to God; God has provided the only way to reconcile us with Him. As you see, he is the offended; but because of his love he does not forsake us, and he has become a man to pay for our transgressions. If he pays off, our debt to him will be paid off. If we owe him nothing; then he adopts us as children and thus opens the beautiful fellowship with our precious and merciful Heavenly Father.
He wants us by his side; but not as enemies. So don’t be late and reconcile yourself with your creator so you can come to be his son and so fully enjoy his blessings. He will glorify himself in you as he glorified in the obedience of his precious Son, our beloved Redeemer. TODAY IS SALVATION DAY, TOMORROW CAN BE TOO LATE.
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