The Star comes from Jacob, the Sceptre, comes from Israel. Balaam saw Christ in a vision, but said He is not to come now. He beholds Him, but His coming is not nigh. The Messiah will smite Moab and destroy the children of Sheth. He shall possess Edom and Seir and Israel shall do valiantly (overcome them). The Messiah will dominion and destroy those who still remain (at His second coming)
Balaam prophesies concerning Amalekites and the Kenites (Midianites). They both will perish and be wasted. He speaks of Chittam (Cypress or Greece) coming against Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (I don't know who Eber is as a nation nor Sheth of vs. 17)
After completing his prophecy, Balaam left Balak and returned home. Balak went home, too.
It is really awesome to see in this account how God MADE Balaam speak what He willed and Balaam could not do otherwise!
God's power is overwhelmingly great and able to accomplish whatever God wills. No one can stay His hand, nor truly oppose Him without being judged to enter the lake of fire in the end. Some may think that they can outsmart or overpower God's will, but they are wrong and deceived to think so. This chapter names nations that the Messiah will judge and waste, But I think this is a way of speaking that those who oppose God will be wasted as these nations were wasted.
The rebellious who dig in and resist God's will to the end of their life or at the second coming will be spending eternity in the lake of fire experiencing unending torment. So, we must pray for those without Christ to be saved and speak to them what God's Spirit tells us to say to them. We who have come to faith and taste of the goodness of God and His grace towards us have a responsibility to share how we came to be blessed with salvation and forgiveness of sins. We need to explain what happens at the final judgment to encourage those who believe and prompt those who don't to turn to Christ to be saved from our sins, death, and the lake of fire.
Fist, Balaam speaks about his eyes being opened. Since he was not blind, I think he is referring to a spiritual "seeing' or acquisition of knowledge of God he did not previously possess. Then he speaks of his vision. Then his words turn to Israel, speaking of the goodness of Israel's dwelling place-tabernacles, tents. I think he is speaking of Israels place of favor and blessing with God, not the physical tents. ballam speaks admirable words about Israel (vs. 5-7) prophesying that Israel will be great-exalted int the land.
Vs. 8-9 Balaam speaks of the strength given to Israel by YHWH and how Israel will defeat their enemies thoroughly. ballam proclaims: Blessed is he that blesses Israel and cursed is he that curses Israel. God had promised this to Israel in Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 49:9
Balak was furious and took Balaam to task about how he had hired Balaam to curse Israel but blessed them instead once again, this third time Balak tells Balaam to flee from him to his home. Perhaps this was a threat that he may be harmed if he does not leave Balak right away. Balak mentions how he wanted to promote Balaam to greater honor but blames YHWH for preventing it. Balaam answers that Balak's honor and treasures could not make him go against the of YHWH. Balaam say he could not do either good or bad in his mind, but only what the LORD saith, he must speak. God compelled Balaam to do this. If Balaam could have done bad he would have, but the LORD costrained his mind to only obey YHWH's command to bless Israel with the word God gives him and the power of the Holy Spirit makes him carry out God's will.
Balaam then tells Balak to listen while he advertises (announces) what Israel will do to Balak's people (Moabites) in latter days.
Then Balaam again speaks of his vision, opening of his eyes spiritually and the knowledge he acquired from the Spirit.
In vs. 17 YHWH gives a magnificent prophecy through Balaam concerning the coming of Jesus...cont..
In this chapter Balaam again is instructed by Balak to curse Israel. Balaam, however, realizes that the LORD wills that Israel be blessed. Balaam at least realizes that the LORD's will cannot be resisted in this situation and that he will only be able to bless Israel. Since in previous times, Balaam resorted to divination, using types of enchantment to discern what he is to prophesy or what the future may hold. These actions are not what God wants people to do, but Balaam did not have the law as Israel now had. Although he was a prophet of YHWH, Balaam was syncretic in his approach to prophecy, thinking he needed to do certain sacrifices, rituals, and sorceries to be allowed to hear from God. In this situation, God works through Balaam despite his wickedness.
Balaam decides to go into the wilderness instead of offering sacrifices on a mountain top "high place" where Baal is worshipped.
The wilderness he went into overlooked the camp of Israel. Whereas before God told Balaam what to say and Balaam obeyed, this time God bestows Balaam with the Spirit being put upon him like God did for the Old Testament prophets of Israel and Judah. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Balaam begins his parable to bless Israel.
In verse 4, Balaam speaks of hearing God's voice, and gained knowledge from God, and had an eyes open vision of God Almighty. It doesn't say his reaction to this vision, but in other instances of prophets having visions of God (Isaiah and Ezekiel come to mind) they were forcibly laid prostrate before the LORD as though dead until the LORD lifted them up. They realized their sinfulness as they experienced the holiness of God. But Balaam does not speak of any of these things. But I imagine he was humbled and knew that He could do either good or bad from his own mind, but only what the LORD says he must speak )(Vs.13)
When Balaam beheld the camp of Israel, the Spirit came upon him and he begins his parable (blessing and prophecy).
According to Revelation ( Revelation 2:14), Balaam told King Balak how to get the Israelites to commit sin by enticing them with sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols. The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and God sent a deadly plague to them as a result ( Numbers 31:16).
That was then, today is the now. We have the salvation of Jesus Christ with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us avoid pitfalls that lead to sin. We have the Bible to show us how to follow Jesus.
The Book of Romans is a good place to start, but I think John chapter 3 is. When no one wants to be our friend; you will always have a friend in Jesus.
Some people have had real life experiences with the awesome Love of God. I always thought God was way way up in the sky somewhere. I didn't think he could hear me asking for help. But I found out that is not true. He is as close as your next breath. He cares about all of our needs. We just have to begin some conversations with Him...called praying. He talks to people but it's best to be born again ( John 3), so you can get your ears tuned to His Voice.
See if Isaiah 1:18 is desirable to you.
When I first came in here I read a lot of posts on the Testimonies Link. Many have posted how the came to believe in Jesus. Everyone of those is a real person.
Why do people claim a day of rest on a pagan calendar? Saturday is the day for he god Saturn just as Sunday is the day for the sun god. Why not use the 7th day of the week on the calendar GOD created ?
I believe the only way to lose your salvation would be to do the opposite of accepting him as Lord and Savior in addition to deny him as your Lord and Savior.
In 1Samuel 15:23 God says it is better to obey him than to offer any sacrifice made to him I believe this is how we should honor him through our obedience.
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death Praise HIM!!!!!!!!!!!
Before Pentecost, the Holy Spirit would come upon men as He chose. Balaam is an example here, but remember King Saul? The Spirit came upon him and he prophesied with the sons of the prophets. However, like Balaam, he was never saved. Today, when we get saved, we received the Holy Spirit and are sealed unto the day of redemption. He is our 'Earnest'. Once saved, always saved! Praise God!
Once saved, not always saved! And even greatest gifts and calling of God on a man, does not guarantee a lifetime of doing God's will, or entrance into the kingdom of God. Whatever Balaam had at one time, he evidently thought better to have the gifts and favor of the heathen, than the blessings of God's people. Even though he once spoke good from God for Israel, he after connived to make them sin.
Num. 14-25; God used Balaam, a wicked prophet, to prophesy of the Messiah - Jesus Christ!! God can, and does, to this day, use sinners to prophesy (witness) of Him. What I don't understand is-why was Balaam, a prophet of God, living in Moab - at the time Israel settled in Canaan ..... ???
Unicorns - 'could' have been rhinos, or an animal that is now extinct. It 'could' have been a horse with a horn. Whatever they were - or weren't - their reality or non- has nothing to do with Acts 2:37-38.
Interesting read, and as I read I feel as though we will be tried my brethrens and sisters,we will have to believe when all around us makes it a long and frustrating journey, may we all have the wisdom and strength from the lord during the Revilation, that is soon to come, so put on your armor and read,we need all the knowledge we can get,we WILL need it, stay strong, no matter who says what,Amen.
I also thought it was awesome when God gave the utterance for Balaam to speak about the Savior and how he's going to behold Him! Encouraged me because one day I too shall behold Him! *tears* Thank-you Father!!
To me God is saying the water is the holy spirit that is hovering over all the earth and the seed is the holy spirit when he indwells inside of us and grows as we grow, and with knowledge we shall exalt Jesus our King and Savoir.
cont.
The Star comes from Jacob, the Sceptre, comes from Israel. Balaam saw Christ in a vision, but said He is not to come now. He beholds Him, but His coming is not nigh. The Messiah will smite Moab and destroy the children of Sheth. He shall possess Edom and Seir and Israel shall do valiantly (overcome them). The Messiah will dominion and destroy those who still remain (at His second coming)
Balaam prophesies concerning Amalekites and the Kenites (Midianites). They both will perish and be wasted. He speaks of Chittam (Cypress or Greece) coming against Asshur (Assyria) and Eber (I don't know who Eber is as a nation nor Sheth of vs. 17)
After completing his prophecy, Balaam left Balak and returned home. Balak went home, too.
It is really awesome to see in this account how God MADE Balaam speak what He willed and Balaam could not do otherwise!
God's power is overwhelmingly great and able to accomplish whatever God wills. No one can stay His hand, nor truly oppose Him without being judged to enter the lake of fire in the end. Some may think that they can outsmart or overpower God's will, but they are wrong and deceived to think so. This chapter names nations that the Messiah will judge and waste, But I think this is a way of speaking that those who oppose God will be wasted as these nations were wasted.
The rebellious who dig in and resist God's will to the end of their life or at the second coming will be spending eternity in the lake of fire experiencing unending torment. So, we must pray for those without Christ to be saved and speak to them what God's Spirit tells us to say to them. We who have come to faith and taste of the goodness of God and His grace towards us have a responsibility to share how we came to be blessed with salvation and forgiveness of sins. We need to explain what happens at the final judgment to encourage those who believe and prompt those who don't to turn to Christ to be saved from our sins, death, and the lake of fire.
Fist, Balaam speaks about his eyes being opened. Since he was not blind, I think he is referring to a spiritual "seeing' or acquisition of knowledge of God he did not previously possess. Then he speaks of his vision. Then his words turn to Israel, speaking of the goodness of Israel's dwelling place-tabernacles, tents. I think he is speaking of Israels place of favor and blessing with God, not the physical tents. ballam speaks admirable words about Israel (vs. 5-7) prophesying that Israel will be great-exalted int the land.
Vs. 8-9 Balaam speaks of the strength given to Israel by YHWH and how Israel will defeat their enemies thoroughly. ballam proclaims: Blessed is he that blesses Israel and cursed is he that curses Israel. God had promised this to Israel in Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 49:9
Balak was furious and took Balaam to task about how he had hired Balaam to curse Israel but blessed them instead once again, this third time Balak tells Balaam to flee from him to his home. Perhaps this was a threat that he may be harmed if he does not leave Balak right away. Balak mentions how he wanted to promote Balaam to greater honor but blames YHWH for preventing it. Balaam answers that Balak's honor and treasures could not make him go against the of YHWH. Balaam say he could not do either good or bad in his mind, but only what the LORD saith, he must speak. God compelled Balaam to do this. If Balaam could have done bad he would have, but the LORD costrained his mind to only obey YHWH's command to bless Israel with the word God gives him and the power of the Holy Spirit makes him carry out God's will.
Balaam then tells Balak to listen while he advertises (announces) what Israel will do to Balak's people (Moabites) in latter days.
Then Balaam again speaks of his vision, opening of his eyes spiritually and the knowledge he acquired from the Spirit.
In vs. 17 YHWH gives a magnificent prophecy through Balaam concerning the coming of Jesus...cont..
Balaam decides to go into the wilderness instead of offering sacrifices on a mountain top "high place" where Baal is worshipped.
The wilderness he went into overlooked the camp of Israel. Whereas before God told Balaam what to say and Balaam obeyed, this time God bestows Balaam with the Spirit being put upon him like God did for the Old Testament prophets of Israel and Judah. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Balaam begins his parable to bless Israel.
In verse 4, Balaam speaks of hearing God's voice, and gained knowledge from God, and had an eyes open vision of God Almighty. It doesn't say his reaction to this vision, but in other instances of prophets having visions of God (Isaiah and Ezekiel come to mind) they were forcibly laid prostrate before the LORD as though dead until the LORD lifted them up. They realized their sinfulness as they experienced the holiness of God. But Balaam does not speak of any of these things. But I imagine he was humbled and knew that He could do either good or bad from his own mind, but only what the LORD says he must speak )(Vs.13)
When Balaam beheld the camp of Israel, the Spirit came upon him and he begins his parable (blessing and prophecy).
...cont.
That was then, today is the now. We have the salvation of Jesus Christ with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us avoid pitfalls that lead to sin. We have the Bible to show us how to follow Jesus.
The Book of Romans is a good place to start, but I think John chapter 3 is. When no one wants to be our friend; you will always have a friend in Jesus.
Some people have had real life experiences with the awesome Love of God. I always thought God was way way up in the sky somewhere. I didn't think he could hear me asking for help. But I found out that is not true. He is as close as your next breath. He cares about all of our needs. We just have to begin some conversations with Him...called praying. He talks to people but it's best to be born again ( John 3), so you can get your ears tuned to His Voice.
See if Isaiah 1:18 is desirable to you.
When I first came in here I read a lot of posts on the Testimonies Link. Many have posted how the came to believe in Jesus. Everyone of those is a real person.
I believe the only way to lose your salvation would be to do the opposite of accepting him as Lord and Savior in addition to deny him as your Lord and Savior.
Chapter 24:13 Note...what The LORD saith, that will I speak.
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