Balaam's Donkey... and Prophesies

(Num.22-24):

The Star of Jacob

In Numbers 22 a donkey talks... if God could use even a donkey for His own glory, we might have a good chance of being useful instruments in God's hand. (Num.22:22-30). "But he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet." 2 Peter 2:16.

Balaam was a prophet hired by the King of Moab to curse the Hebrews encamped in the Jordan valley, because the Israelites became very strong and powerful. But Balaam could only bless them. Later, Balaam seduced the Israelites to commit evil, an act for which he was killed (Num.31:8, Deut.23:5, Jud.11, 2 Peter.2:16 Rev.2:14).

The King of Moab sent for Balaam and promised him money if he would curse God's people. God talked to Balaam not to go to the King and not to curse His people. Again the King sent princes to Balaam offering more money. God was angry with Balaam because his heart was filled with greed, and eventually God let Balaam go to the King, but watch what God did:

On the way, Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing on the road with a sword in his hand, and the poor monkey turn away. Balaam never saw the angel and he beat the donkey again and again, till she fell down. Suddenly, God let the donkey speak: "Why did you beat me three times?", the donkey asked. "Because you made a fool out of me", replied Balaam. Just then, God opened Balaam's eyes. He saw the angel in the road and fell flat in his face. God spoke to Balaam and told him to go to the King, but to bless His people instead of cursing them. And that's what Balaam did:

These are some of the Balaam's Prophesies Blessing Israel:

11 Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!"

12 He answered, "Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?" (Numbers 23).

Balaam's Second Oracle... to Israel... to the Church of Christ:

20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

21 "No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.

24 The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims." (Numbers 23).

Today, there are already 2 billion Christians in the world... with the weapon of love, of the Spirit.

Balaam's Third Oracle... the Church:

5 "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!

6 "Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD , like cedars beside the waters.

7 Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water... "Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.

9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness-who dares to rouse them?... "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" (Numbers 24).

The Church of Christ is too divine and too human... as a whole, the most beautiful of the gardens of God... don't you ever curse the Church of God, God Himself will curse you!.

Balaam's Fourth Oracle... The Star of Jacob... Jesus!:

17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.

19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city." (Numbers 24).

Jesus is the Star of Jacob: He crushed the head of the serpent, of the Devil, at Calvary... and destroyed sin, and the power of the Law... He brought us eternal life! (Col.2:15, 1 John.3:5, Gal.3:24-25, John.3:16).