LIFE-STUDY OF NUMBERS

MESSAGE THIRTY-FIVE

FIGHTING

(4)

Scripture Reading: Num. 23:27—24:25; 31:8

In this message we will consider Balaam's third and fourth parables.

3. The Third Parable

In 23:27—24:13 we have Balaam's third parable.

a. Balak Bringing Balaam to the Top of Peor

Balak said to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there" (23:27). Then Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor (v. 28).

b. Balaam Asking Balak to Build
for Him Seven Altars, to Provide for Him
Seven Bulls and Seven Rams, and to Offer
a Bull and a Ram on Each Altar

"Balaam said to Balak, Build for me here seven altars, and provide for me here seven bulls and seven rams. And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar" (vv. 29-30). The offering of the bulls and the rams was ambiguous; it is not clear to whom they were offered.

c. Balaam Seeing That It Pleased Jehovah
to Bless Israel, Not Going to Seek for Omens
but Setting His Face toward the Wilderness

"When Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to seek for omens" (24:1a). Rather, Balaam set his face toward the wilderness, lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes (vv. 1b-2).