Read Numbers 25:1-18.

Introduction⤒🔗

The arctic polar bear loves to eat seals.

Sometimes, in order to catch a seal, he resorts to a cunning bit of trickery. The polar bear knows that the seal loves to eat fish. So, if the hole in the ice through which the seal does his fishing is not too far from the edge of open water, the polar bear will take a deep breath, slip under the water, and swim to the seal’s fishing hole. He will then imitate a fish by scratching lightly on the underside of the ice. When the seal hears the scratching sound, he dives into the water to catch the fish, only to find himself suddenly caught in the huge, deadly embrace of the polar bear.¹

In Numbers chapter twenty-five, we find the people of Israel falling prey to a similar trap set for them by the cunning strategy of the Moabites. Realizing that they could not defeat Israel in battle, and having failed to have God pronounce a curse against Israel, the Moabites decide to seduce Israel into sin. They invite the people of Israel to join them in their pagan festival of idolatry and immorality.

What is the consequence of Israel accepting that invitation? The Moabites succeed in alluring Israel into forsaking the divine covenant and thereby compelling the LORD to enact His righteous judgment against them

Here is an important spiritual lesson to learn: When you abandon your covenant relationship with Christ, you fulfill the devil’s desire by making yourself vulnerable to the LORD’s righteous judgment.

Let us be sure to abide in covenant with Christ, so that we may experience His promised blessing.

Abide in Covenant with Christ, and Thus be Protected from God’s Righteous Judgment←⤒🔗

Balak, the king of Moab, takes Balaam up to a high place overlooking the nation of Israel encamped on the plains below. As Balaam seeks to curse the people of Israel, the LORD puts a divine word of blessing on his lips:

Then Balaam uttered his oracle: Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab [has brought me] from the eastern mountains. 'Come,' he says, 'curse Jacob for me. Come and denounce Israel.' ⁸How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? And how can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? ⁹From the rocky peaks I see them, and from the hills I observe them. They are a people who live apart; they shall not be counted among the nations. ¹⁰Who can count the dust that is Jacob, or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like his! Num. 23:7-10

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Balaam asks the question, “How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?” In New Testament terms, the answer to that question is found in the Apostle Paul’s teaching contained in Romans 8:31-39,

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (vs. 31). This does not mean to imply that the Christian has no adversaries, verses 35-36 speak of the most violent kinds of opposition. What it means is that if God is for us, all opposition of any kind and from any quarter is of no account. It cannot destroy our soul, but can only contribute to the furtherance of our salvation. Speaking of the opposition he faced, the Apostle Paul testifies,

I know that, through your prayers and the help [provided] by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the result of all this will be my deliverance. ²⁰This is in keeping with my heart-felt expectation and hope that in no circumstance will I be put to shame; on the contrary, I have all confidence that as always, so now also, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Phil. 1:19-20

Note, also, Psalm 118:6; “The LORD is at my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” What the Psalmist is asking is, What can man ultimately accomplish against me? The answer he knows to be, “Nothing, apart from the LORD’s will, and whatever it may be, it will prove to be for the furtherance of my salvation."

God, indeed, is for us. The proof of this is the fact that He “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (vs. 32). Then follows the assurance: since He did not even spare His Son, surely God will not withhold anything else that we may need (vs. 32b). As the hymn writer, Thomas Chisholm, expressed it, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”

Since God is for us, there can be no condemnation (vs. 33-34). “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” Here is a challenge to the world and to the devil to try and prosecute the Christian. Paul assures us, “It is God who justifies.” Our defense and security lay in the fact that it is the Judge of all the earth who pronounces a verdict in our favor. The reason He can do so resides in the fact that “Christ Jesus...died (bearing our sins and satisfying the justice of God), and he was raised to life (the testimony that His sacrifice was acceptable to God), and He is now seated at the right hand of God (He is honored by God and has access to God), where he is also interceding for us” (presenting His blood on our behalf).

Consequently, there comes the assurance that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (vs. 35-39).

Abide in covenant with Christ, and thus be protected from God’s righteous judgment. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

Abide in Covenant with Christ, Being Assured of His Faithfulness←⤒🔗

Having failed in his first endeavor to pronounce a curse upon Israel, Balak has Balaam try again. But to Balak’s dismay, not only is the word of blessing not retracted, it is reaffirmed by God and made even more sure:

Then [Balaam] uttered his oracle: Arise, Balak, and listen; pay attention to me, son of Zippor. ¹⁹God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he spoken, and will he not act? Has he promised, and will he not fulfill it? ²⁰Listen; I have received [a commandment] to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it. ²¹He has not seen iniquity in Jacob, he has not observed obstinate behavior in Israel. The LORD his God is with him; the shout of a king is among them. ²²God brought them out of Egypt; he is for them like the strength of the wild ox. ²³There is no sorcery [that can prevail] against Jacob, neither is there any divination that can succeed against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, 'See what God has done!' ²⁴Look; the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion. He shall not rest until he has devoured his prey and drinks the blood of his victims. Num. 23:18-24

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Balaam declares, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he spoken, and will he not act? Has he promised, and will he not fulfill it?” (Num. 23:19)

God is not like men; He does not lie; He does not go back on His Word. God cannot act contrary to His nature: “God...cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). On the contrary, the LORD is true to His Word and faithful to fulfill His promises. Someone once spray painted on the wall of a highway overpass the words, “God Lies,” in big black letters. For the sake of truth and accuracy, it would be appropriate to insert the word “Never” in bold red paint: "God NEVER Lies;” the red symbolizing the shed blood of Jesus who is the Guarantee of the fulfillment of all the promises of God.

Israel found this to be true in the days of Joshua, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled” (Josh. 21:45).

What Israel found to be true in the days of Joshua, the Christian shall find to be true in the day of Jesus Christ at His return in glory.

Balaam goes on to proclaim,

The LORD his God is with him... ²²he is for them like the strength of the wild ox. ^23aThere is no sorcery [that can prevail] against Jacob, neither is there any divination [that can succeed] against Israel. Num. 23:21b, 22b-23a

The LORD has promised to stand with us: “God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Paul experienced this promise to be true:

the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me...and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸The Lord will deliver me out of every evil work, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim. 4:17­-18

The LORD has promised to supply us with His divine power: “You then, my son, be strong with the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). The Apostle Paul also experienced the truth of this divine promise:

[the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest upon me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

The LORD has promised to protect us from the evil one: “I am not asking that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). This is part of our Lord’s intercessory prayer made to His Father on our behalf.

Abide in covenant with Christ, and be assured of His faithfulness. “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD [himself], is an everlasting rock” (Isa. 26:4).

Abide in Covenant with Christ, and Experience His Goodness←⤒🔗

Once again Balaam looks down upon the nation of Israel encamped on the plains of Moab and utters his prophecy:

Then he uttered this oracle: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eyes see clearly, ⁴the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are open. ⁵How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! ⁶They are spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. ⁷Water shall flow from his buckets; his seed shall have abundant water. His king shall be greater than Agag; his kingdom shall be exalted. ⁸God brought them out of Egypt; he is for them like the strength of the wild ox. ⁹They shall devour hostile nations and break their bones into pieces; with their arrows they shall pierce them. Num. 24:3-9

By the Spirit of God, what Balaam describes is not a people encamped in the wilderness, but a people dwelling in Paradise. The picture presented here is that of great abundance and blessing: luxurious gardens beside flowing rivers, fragrant trees with ample sources of water, buckets with water flowing out of them. Note the testimony of the Lord Jesus in John 10:10b, “I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Note, too, the promise He makes in John 7:37-39a,

Now on the last day, the great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, From within him shall flow rivers of living water. ³⁹Now he was referring to the Holy Spirit, whom they who believed in him were to receive.

The abundant spiritual life of which Christ speaks can be blocked up or stifled by unbelief:

On one occasion, Mark testifies, 

[Jesus] could not do any mighty work there; although he did lay his hands upon a few sick people and heal them. ⁶He was amazed at their unbelief. Mk. 6:5-6

Note: The mighty power of God is not dependent upon the faith of finite man for it to operate. John 5:1-9 records an incident in which the Lord Jesus performed a work of healing upon a man who expressed no faith in Him. Nevertheless, God has ordained that faith, (humble confidence in the LORD our God), shall be the instrument through which we experience the saving power of Christ. With regard to the people of Jesus’ hometown, their unbelief “limited” Jesus to merely a teaching ministry among them; they were not permitted to witness or experience His saving power.

The abundant spiritual life of which Christ speaks can be blocked up or stifled by bitterness:

The Apostle Paul warns,

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness and rage and anger and clamor and slander, along with all malice. Eph. 4:30-31

Abide in covenant with Christ, and you shall experience His blessing.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psl. 1:1-3

Abide in Covenant with Christ, and You will Share in His Triumph←⤒🔗

In his final word of prophecy, Balaam reveals to Balak what will happen in the future—this prophecy relates the future events of history and especially the final outcome of history:

Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future. ¹⁵Then he uttered his oracle: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, ¹⁶the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are open. ¹⁷I see him, but not yet; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. ¹⁸Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will also be conquered, but Israel will perform valiant deeds. ¹⁹One coming out of Jacob shall have dominion, he shall destroy the survivors of the city. ²⁰Then [Balaam] saw Amalek and uttered his oracle: Amalek was first among the nations, but he will come to ruin at last. ²¹Then he saw the Kenites and uttered his oracle: Your dwelling place is secure, your nest is set in the rock; ²²nevertheless, you Kenites will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive. ²³Again he uttered his oracle: Ah, who can live when God does this? ²⁴Ships will come from the shores of Kittim; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they, too, will come to ruin. Num. 24:14-24

Numbers 24:17-20 prophesies the coming of a mighty Israelite monarchy: a monarchy that shall totally destroy Moab (vs. 17), take possession of Edom (vs. 18), and execute divine vengeance against Amalek (vs. 19-20). The prophecy of verses 17-20 was fulfilled in the reign of Saul and David. Saul was used by God to repay the Amalekites for what they had done to Israel in the wilderness:

Samuel said to Saul, 'I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. ²This is what the LORD of hosts says: I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they ambushed them when they came up out of Egypt. ³Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'1 Sam.15:1-3

David crushed the kingdom of Moab:

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought tribute. 2 Sam. 8:2

...and David also took possession of Edom: 'He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David.' 2 Sam. 8:14a

Numbers 24:21-22 foretells the rise of a Middle Eastern superpower. The Kenites, whose dwelling place was thought to be secure, shall be conquered and carried away captive by a people from the land of Asshur. Verses 21-22 were fulfilled with the rise of the great military empires of Assyria/Babylonia and Persia; each of whom came from the east and advanced west to the Mediterranean Sea.

Numbers 24:23-24 foretells the rise of a world superpower. Ships shall come from the coast of Kittim (possibly Cyprus) and they shall occupy the nations of the Middle East (Asshur and Eber). Verses 23­ 24 were fulfilled by the great conquering empires of the west: the Greeks and the Romans.

Numbers 24:24c prophesies the final overthrow of the superpowers and empires of the world. One power rises to supplant another, but the final word is, “they, too, will come to ruin.” Verse 24c shall be fulfilled when our Lord Jesus Christ returns in glory and brings the great day foretold in Revelation 11:15, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Abide in covenant with Christ, and you shall share in His triumph.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev. 3:21

The Apostle Paul testified,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:7-8

Conclusion←⤒🔗

When you consider this whole episode in Israel’s wilderness journey (recorded in Numbers 22-25), there is a warning and an exhortation to us.

The warning: When you abandon your covenant relationship with Christ, (as Israel did when they joined the Moabites in their idolatry and immorality), you fulfill the devil’s desire by making yourself vulnerable to the LORD’s righteous judgment.

The exhortation: Abide in covenant with Christ your God and Savior, so that you may experience all His blessing.

It was only the high priest Phinehas’ act that made atonement for the nation so that the prophecies of Numbers 23-24, uttered by the Balaam under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could be fulfilled.

Likewise, it is only the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice offered on the cross of Calvary that is the means by which we, by faith in Him, gain access to the blessings of the covenant. Furthermore, it is only by His Holy Spirit, and our reliance upon Him, that we are enabled to abide in covenant with Christ.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. What invitation did the Moabites extend to Israel? What happened when Israel accepted their diabolical invitation? See Num. 25:1-3 As Christians, what does this caution us about the danger of developing close relationships with unbelievers? Note 1 Cor. 15:33 With whom should we develop close friendships? See 2 Tim. 2:22 and Psl. 119:63,

While Israel encamped at Shittim, the people began to indulge in sexual immorality with the Moabite women; ²because they had invited the people to offer sacrifices to their gods, and the people ate with them and bowed down to their gods. ³So it was that Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor; and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel.Num. 25:1-3

Do not be misled, 'Bad companions corrupt good morals.' 1 Cor. 15:33

Also flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:22

I am a companion of all those who fear you, and of those who keep your precepts. Psl. 119:63

2. When the LORD inflicts a severe discipline upon His people, how do they respond? See Numbers 25:6b Have you ever had to endure the LORD’s severe discipline because of some sinful conduct? Have you learned to respond like the psalmist? See Psl. 119:67, 71, 75,

...Moses and the whole congregation of the children of Israel...were mourning at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Num. 25:6

Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep your word... ⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted, so that I may learn your statutes... ⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psl. 119:67, 71, 75

3. While Israel was mourning, what brazen act of sin was committed? Where does this act occur? See Num. 25:6 In contrast to Israel, who has been brought to repentance by the LORD’s severe discipline, what does this man’s act reveal about his attitude towards the LORD, His law, and His discipline? What warning does the LORD give us in Isaiah 3:9? Note, also, Prov. 29:1,

One of the Israelite men came back and brought among his people a Midianite woman, right before the eyes of Moses and the whole congregation of the children of Israel while they were mourning at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Num. 25:6

The look on their faces testifies against them; they display their sin like Sodom, they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought calamity upon themselves. Isa. 3:9

He who is often reproved, but hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Prov. 29:1

4. Speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, what does Balaam say about Israel in Numbers 23:21a? In light of Israel’s persistently rebellious behavior throughout their wilderness journey, how can this be said of them? How was Israel restored to the LORD? Note Num. 21:6-9 When the people acknowledged their sin, the LORD provided a means of atonement; what did the bronze serpent represent as our ultimate means of atonement? See Jn. 3:14-15 Have you confessed your sins and put your faith in Christ the Savior?

He has not seen iniquity in Jacob, he has not observed obstinate behavior in Israel. The LORD his God is with him; the shout of a king is among them. Num. 23:21

Then the LORD sent venomous serpents among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. ⁷The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD would take the serpents away from us.” ⁸The LORD said to Moses, 'Make a replica of a venomous serpent and put it on a pole; when anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he shall live.' ⁹So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. And it happened that, if anyone was bitten by a serpent, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Num. 21:6-9

Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, in the same way must the Son of man be lifted up; ¹⁵so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life Jn. 3:14-15

5. How does Balaam poetically describe Israel in Numbers 24:5-7a? What does the Lord Jesus promise to those who put their trust in Him? See Jn. 10:10b; Jn. 7:38-39 When shall we as Christians experience the full measure of Christ and His abundant blessing? Note Psl. 23:6; 1 Pet. 1:3-5,

How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! ⁶They are spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. ⁷Water shall flow from his buckets; his seed shall have abundant water. His king shall be greater than Agag; his kingdom shall be exalted. Num. 24:5-7

The thief only comes in order to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly. Jn. 10:10

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'From within him shall flow rivers of living water.' ³⁹Now he was referring to the [Holy] Spirit, whom they that believed in him were to receive... Jn. 7:38-39

Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.Psl. 23:6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in accordance with his great mercy has begotten us for a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴for an inheritance that is imperishable and cannot spoil and is permanent, reserved in heaven for you ⁵who by the power of God are being preserved through faith for the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time. 1 Pet. 1:3-5