Balak

Parashas Balak

Numbers 22:2 – 25:9

PLEASE PRAY THIS

RAYER BEFORE READING

Prayer

In the name of Yahushua

Our Messiyah,

I pray for the Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Knowledge and

The Spirit of Wisdom

As I read through this Parasha

That the Truth of Torah may

Come forth. Amen

This Torah portion is the 40^th  in the Torah Cycle, in this reading the Torah tells us the story of Bilaam the prophet, he had the power to cast a curse on the Yisraelites, to give the evil eye sotospeak. In the previous Torah Portion, we realize the purpose of a Korach in our lives, now we will also see the value of a Bilaam in our spiritual development.

According to the Torah, the King of Moab, saw how successful the Yisraelites were in their spiritual battle, and became envious of them, so Balak summoned Bilaam to cast a evil eye on the Yisraelites.

As believers there are spiritual forces acting against us every day, like the Children of Yisrael, we had no idea what plans the spirit of Balak is planning against us, we also do not know what spiritual forces is stack up against us every day.

In this Torah Portion we will learn how essential it is to be always be connect spiritual to El Yahushua our Messiyah. Before a person can be defeted spiritually his or her spiritual covering must be removed.

In exodus 17:12 we see an example of this spiritual covering, when Moses Exo 17:11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Yisrael prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

This is a valuable lesson for our lives. There is never any spiritual falling without an avenue for redemption. No soul falls forever. We must always realize that, no matter how low it might seems that we have fallen, our spirit is in a process of correction.

There is a verse in Isaiyah 60:4 “Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. ” This verse is describing the “Gemar HaTikkum,” the final correction, and that the first three letter of the word “Nikbatzum ba’u lecha” ‘have gathered and come to surround you’ make up the name NaBaL.

When we look around, we awaken the consciousness that no soul truly fall without the process of redemption available to it. Very soul or Ego is in a state of correction, even Bilaam soul was in a state of correction.

It is important forever believer to study this Torah Portion, for in studying it, we realize that there is no negative soul, all souls are in a state of correction. Even when we see something negative in another person, we must remember that there is also tremendous holiness in us. We need to read the words of this Torah Portion over and over again in order to awaken our consciousness within us, so that we may move toward the Gemar HaTikkum, the final correction.

This chapter begins with the famous story of Balak and Balaam, their attempt to curse the Hebrew people, and the baffling of their attempt; יהוה people were told long afterward to remember what Balak the king of Moab, who consulted Balaam the son of Beor, and the answer he gave “that they might know the righteousness of YAHVEH”, Mic:5.

In this chapter we have:

• Balak’s fear of the Hebrew People, and the plot he had to get them cursed.
• The delegation he sent to Balaam, a conjurer, to fetch him for that purpose, and the disappointment he met with in the first delegation.
• Balaam’s coming to him upon his second message.
• The opposition Balaam met with by the way.
• The interview at length between Balak and Balaam.

The children of Yisrael had been traveling the Wilderness for some thirty-nine years, now they were now referred to as Yisrael. This was the final attack of the enemies of our soul to squelch their progress towards the final correction, Yisrael. They were encamped in the plains of Moab on the east side of Jordan, where they dwell till they passed through the Jordan River. This narrative starts with a fright of the Moabites, bases on the approaching Yisraelites. Now the narrative!

Num 22:2 And Balak son of Tsippor saw all that Yisra’ĕl had done to the Amorites. -   They heard of the triumphs over the Amorites, and think that their own kingdom was in danger, when he saw the relative ease in which the Amorites fall before Yisrael.

Num 22:3 And Mo’aḇ was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Mo’aḇ was in dread because of the children of Yisra’ĕl. -  They observed the multitude of the Yisraelites, for they were many. The Moabites speculate on the easy it would be for the Yisraelites to overpowered them. Some effective strategic course of action, was to be employed to stop the progress of the advancing Yisraelites. It is always the intent of the evil-one to prevent our Spiritual progress to maturity. When we observe such a campaign, we know for a fact it is not the flesh, but a spiritual battle in progress.

The Children of Yisrael knew nothing about the plans of Balak and Balaam since it was not a military campaign, is was not conducted in the natural, but in the spiritual. It is essential that we summoned the name of YAHVEH TSEBAOTE the Army of Host of Heavens, for our protection. My Master, teach my hands to do warfare. 2Sa 22:35  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Num 22:4 And Mo’aḇ said to the elders of Miḏyan, “Now this company is licking up all that is around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Now Balaq son of Tsippor was sovereign of the Mo’aḇites at that time  - In fear he said t hey shall lick up or devour us, as they consumed all that are around about us, as speedily and irresistibly as an ox eats up grass.

Seeing themselves to be an unequal match for so formidable an enemy, they were so afraid and distressed. Psalms 53:5 “thus were the wicked in great fear were no fear was.” 

Notice the choice of words. They accused the Yisraelites of licking up, consuming everything in their path. This choice of words was design to bring the sympathy of Balaam on their side. Much like today the word that is used to bring fear is terrorist, this will justify any country of government right to conduct military action anywhere in the disguise of safety. As scripture says the evil one flees when no one is chasing. Pro 28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Num 22:5 and he sent messengers to Bilʽam son of Beʽor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, “See, a people has come from Mitsrayim. See, they have covered the surface of the land, and are settling next to me! – The fear they communicated to their neighbors, the elders of Midian that, some collective measures must be taken for their mutual protection. The project the king of Moab embarked on was to have Yisrael cursed, that is, to set יהוה against them, who, they perceived would fight for them. 

YAHVEH TSEBAOTE is the Host of all Angelic and Spiritual forces which have only one mind and are called to do the perfect ill of YAHVEH. If a believer have enemies, whether spiritual, mental or physical, this attribute when called upon in faith, goes into battle against all unrighteous opposition. Balak was well aware of this when he summoned Balaam.

Num 22:6 “And now, please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too strong for me. It might be that I smite them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” – Balaam was called a prophet “II Peter 2:¹⁶  but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.” because he had been one, or perhaps he had raised his reputation from the first by his magical charms, as Simon Magus, who bewitched the people so far that he was called the great power of YAHVEH in Acts 8:10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of YAHVEH.

Curse pronounced by יהוה prophets in His Name have powerful effects, as Noah’s in Genesis 9:25, and Elisha’s in II Kings 2:24. But the curse causelessly made, shall not come through, Proverbs 26:2, as Goliath’s when he curses David by his gods, I Samuel 17:43.

 

Num 22:7 And the elders of Mo’aḇ and the elders of Miḏyan left with the fees for divination in their hand, and they came to Bilʽam and spoke the words of Balaq to him. - But Balak cannot rely upon these bribry as sufficient to influence Balaam; the main inducement is yet to come. They took the reward of divination in their hand, the wages of unrighteousness, which he loved, II Peter 2:15.

Num 22:8 And he said to them, “Spend the night here, and I shall bring back word to you, as יהוה speaks to me.” So the heads of Mo’aḇ stayed with Bilʽam. – Notice how the children of darkness, used the night for their evil intent, spend the night here! It is very probable that Balaam, being a curious inquisitive man, was no stranger to Yisrael’s case and character, but had heard that יהוה was with them, so he ought to have given the messengers their answer immediately, that he would never curse a people whom יהוה had blessed.  But he gave them lodging for the night that he may consider what shall be done. When we entertain temptation we are in great danger of being overcome by them.

 

Num 22:9 And Elohim came to Bilʽam and said, “Who are these men with you?” – In the night יהוה came to Balaam and enquires what business those strangers had with him. In other word what were they doing there? יהוה knew the reason, this question was more of an rebuke. What does light have to do with darkness?

 

Num 22:10 And Bilʽam said to Elohim, “Balaq, son of Tsippor, sovereign of Mo’aḇ, has sent to me, saying – in this verse Balaam gives יהוה an account of their mission.

Num 22:11 ‘See, a people has come out of Mitsrayim and cover the surface of the land. Come now, curse them for me. It might be that I am able to fight against them and drive them out.’ ” – In Balaam’s attempt to justify the presence of the visitor, he used the phrase that they were afraid of the Yisraelites because of their great numbers. That is why they came to him seeking his help.

They knew that before an army can be defeted in the natural its spiritual covering had to be removed. The employment of the Prophet. Too often the unsaved used fear to justified everything they did.

   

Num 22:12 And Elohim said to Bilʽam, “Do not go with them. You do not curse the people, for they are blessed.” -  יהוה upon hearing Balaam statement, charge Balaam not to go with them or even attempt to curse the Yisraelites. Balaam do not even entertain the taught! יהוה  sometime for the preservation of His people, speak to bad men, as to Abimelech in Genesis 20:3, and to Laban, Genesis 31:24.

We cannot mix blessing and curse, as we cannot mix hot and cold, Light and darkness. Good and bad.

    

Num 22:13 And Bilʽam rose in the morning and said to the heads of Balaq, “Go back to your land, for יהוה has refused to allow me to go with you.” – Balaam is not faithful in returning יהוה answer to the messenger. He only tells them, YAHVEH refused to give me leave to go with you. He did not tell them, as he ought to have done, that Yisrael was a blessed people, and must by no means be cursed, and the temptation would not have continued. It was the same circumstance Eve had when she quote YAHVEH out of context.

The action of Balaam is an example of todays politician. Speok only what the audience want to hear. Leaders must speak what they are told to speak, not what is political expedient at the moment.

  

Num 22:14 And the heads of Mo’aḇ arose and went to Balaq, and said, “Bilʽam refuses to come with us.” – The messengers are not faithful in returning Balaam’s answer to Balak. All they said is that Balaam refused to come with us. Leaving the door open that maybe Balaam was not suitable convince of the urgency of the matter. The politically correct thing was to convey an open-ended message that was open to much interpretation. In the Kingdom of Heavens, out message should not be open to any private interpretation, only to the Specific Words Spoken by יהוה.

  

Num 22:15 Then Balaq again sent heads, more numerous and more esteemed than they. – We have here a second delegation been sent to Balaam, to encourage him to curse the Yisraelites. It is well for us if we were as earnest and constant in prosecuting a good work, notwithstanding disappointment, as Balak was in pursuing this ill design project.  But I believe that Balak truly believe what he was doing was right in his religious eyes.

Many in the church today thinks that they have replace Yisrael, therefore they pray against Yisrael, they even prosecute them as Hitler did.

The messenger that was sent were more honorable, in an attempt to influence Balaam, such is temptation. If we do not nip it in the bud, so to speak the next time it will be more enticing as this second delegation was.

Num 22:16 And they came to Bilʽam and said to him, “This is what Balaq son of Tsippor said: ‘Do not be withheld from coming to me, please - The second request came with more urgency about it. These powerful Politicians became more politically savvy with their words. Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee, no not even EL YAHVEH, nor conscience, nor any fear either of sin or shame.

The stakes were high. I will promote thee to very great honor among the people of Moab. We will give you a blank cheques; you may even get to decide the terms and condition, under which you may work.

 

Num 22:17 for I esteem you very greatly, and whatever you say to me, I will do. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’  - We will do whatever you want; we will give you your heart’s desire. Like sinners who spare no cost or care nor how low they would stoop, for the gratifying of their luxury or of their malice. Shall we then be stiff and strait handed in our compliance with the laws of the flesh? Hope not.

Num 22:18 And Bilʽam answered and said to the servants of Balaq, “Though Balaq were to give me his house filled with silver and gold, I am unable to go beyond the word of יהוה my Elohim, to do less or more. – Balaam’s seemingly resistance of, but flirting with temptation. We can discern in Balaam a struggle, between his conviction in the spirit and his corruption selfish nature.

His conviction charged him to adhere to the commandments of יהוה, and he spoke that language. Nor could a man said better: If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, and this is more than he can give or ask, I cannot go beyond the word of YAHVEH my EL. See how honorable he speaks of YAHVEH.

Many today called יהוה theirs Master, yet they are not His, not only that they swear by His Name.

His corruption at the same time strongly inclined him to go contrary to what he knows to be right; accommodate unscrupulous character. But even then Balaam did not disclose any objection to them as El Yahushua did; as He too was tempted in the wilderness.

   

Num 22:19 “And now, please, you also stay here tonight, and let me find out what more יהוה says to me.” – Balaam courteous association with evil was seen when he asked them to please stay the night. Instead of telling them to get lost, you welcome these sinful messengers of Satan. It also appears that Balaam had a strong inclination to accommodate the appeased the visitor, he offered to go and asked again what was יהוה view point on the matter, after he was already told no. He was hoping that יהוה would have a change of mind and give him permission to go. Balaam already was told what the will of יהוה was for Yisrael and the messengers, in which he should have being obedient and not ask for another opinion.  

Num 22:20 And EL YAHVEH came to Bilʽam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them, but only the word which I speak to you that you do.” -  The permission יהוה gave to him to go was probably out of anger. Balaam was given the permission to go, out of the lust of his heart. As יהוה sometime denies the prayer of his people in love, so sometime he grants the desires of the people to expose their heart.

Num 22:21 And Bilʽam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey, and went with the heads of Mo’aḇ. – Balaam set out on his journey to fame and fortune. יהוה gave him leave to go if the men called him, but he was so fond of the journey that he did not know that he strayed. The apostle describes Balaam’s sin that he ran greedily into an error for reward, Jude 11.

Verse 22 – 35 we have an account of the opposition יהוה gave to Balaam in his journey towards Moab; probably the prince had gone before, or gone some other way, and Balaam had pointed out where he would meet them, or where they should stay for him, for we read nothing about them in this part of the narrative, only about Balaam.

 

Num 22:22 But the displeasure of Elohim burned because he went, and the Messenger of יהוה stationed Himself in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. – יהוה   anger was kindled because he went. The sin of sinners is not to be thought the less provoking to יהוה because he permits it. We must never think that, because יהוה does not by His providence restrain men from sin, therefore he approves of it, or that it is therefore not hateful to Him.

Notice it says in this verse that the Messenger of YAHVEH stationed himself as an adversary, against Balaam, much like the curse of the Law, the law that was place on the outside of the Ark, Deut 31:2 stationed its self again anyone who violate YAHVEH Commandment.

This Angel that was against Balaam, was ready to slay Balaam, if it was not for his donkey, who was a type of Messiyah, save Balaam from the sword of the Angel that was about to slay him. 

Num 22:23 And the donkey saw the Messenger of יהוה standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Bilʽam beat the donkey to turn her back onto the way. – He way יהוה used to let Balaam know His displeasure against him. He let an angel stood in the way as an adversary. The angel stood with his sword drawn. This angel is at war with those with whom יהוה is angry, for they are the ministers of His justice.

When the donkey turned aside out of the way, Balaam should have taken the hint, and reconsider whether he was in line with the will of יהוה. Those who by willful sin are running headlong into perdition, the angel of יהוה arose to prevent their ruin.

Today when we sin the Law that was place on the outside of the Ark, will come against us, as Deut 28:15-68 describe “And it shall be, if you do not obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim, to guard to do all His commands and His laws which I command you today, that all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed are you in the city, and cursed are you in the field. 17 “Cursed is your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 “Cursed is the fruit of your body and the fruit of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 19 “Cursed are you when you come in, and cursed are you when you go out.

Balaam was in the spiritual realm of been curse, when the Angel showed up against him. In our spiritual journey, when this angel shows up against us we need to ask ourselves, where was I been disobedient?

  

Num 22:24 Then the Messenger of יהוה stood in a narrow passage between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. – The donkey had not gone much further before she saw the angel again, and the effort to avoid him, she ran into a wall and crush Balaam’s feet.  

Num 22:25 And when the donkey saw the Messenger of יהוה, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Bilʽam’s foot against the wall, so he beat her again. –  How many ill accidents are we liable to in travelling upon the road, from which if we are preserved from disaster. We must own our obligations to the Divine Providence, which by the ministry of angels keep us in all our ways, lest we dash our foot against the rock.

 But if we at any time meet with disaster, it is by the ministry of angels that keep us in all our ways, lest we dash our foot against the rock. These obstacles were design to help us to enquire whether our ways is right in the sight of יהוה or not.

The crushing of Balaam’s foot, though it was the saving of his life, provoked him so much that he smote his donkey the second time, so angry are we to be with the kings servants, that the present uneasiness he felt was an action of real kindness by the angel.

  

Num 22:26 And the Messenger of יהוה went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn aside, right or left. – In our spiritual journey our Father or an agent of our Father will take us to a place when he cannot avoid certain situation in life. We either have to face it head-on of like the donkey lay down under the pressure.

 

Num 22:27 And when the donkey saw the Messenger of יהוה, she lay down under Bilʽam. So Bilʽam’s displeasure burned, and he beat the donkey with his staff. -   Upon the next encounter with the angel, the ass fell down under Balaam. He should have considered that there was certainly something extraordinary in this. The Donkey did not have a history of such behavior. It is common for those whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil to push on violently, and break through all the road blocks laid in the way to prevents us from advancing in that direction.

Balaam the third time smote his donkey, though she had now done him the best service that she ever did to him. When all that would not work upon him, יהוה opened the mouth of the donkey, and she spoke to him once and again; and yet neither did this move him to change.

Num 22:28 Then יהוה opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have beaten me these three times?” –This was a great miracle, quite above the power of nature and wrought by the power of the Nature of the יהוה of nature, who made man’s mouth, and taught him to speak, for otherwise the first man would never have spoken, nor any of his seed. He who made man to speak could, when He pleased, make the donkey to speak with the voice of man, II Peter 2:16.

The donkey complains of Balaam’s cruelty “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me?” If יהוה would not suffer a beast to be wronged, much less a man, how about one of His own. We cannot open the mouth of the dumb, as יהוה did, but we may and must open our mouth for them, Proverbs 31:8.

Num 22:29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for I would have killed you by now!” – Balaam in his fury wished he had a sword to kill his ass. See his impotency; can he think by his curses to do mischief to Yisrael that has it to kill his own donkey?   The donkey reasoned with him. יהוה enabled not only dumb creature to speak, but a dull creature to speak with reason and purpose.

Num 22:30 And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever known to do so to you?” And he said, “No.” – The donkey reasoned with him. There were three things she argues with him about: first, His propriety in her: am I not you donkey. יהוה  has given to man a dominion over the creatures. The dominion יהוה has given us over the creature is a good reason why we should not abuses them. We are their master, and therefore must not be tyrants. Second, her service to him was without question. If it is good for us often to consider how useful the inferior creatures are, and have been, to us, that we may be thankful to יהוה , and be tender to them. Thirdly, that she was not known to have crushed his feet before. The rare occurrence of the incident should have moderate his displeasure against her.

     

Num 22:31 Then יהוה opened Bilʽam’s eyes, and he saw the Messenger of יהוה standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand. And he bowed his head and fell on his face. – Balaam had not notice the Hands of יהוה in the obstacle he was experiencing until his eyes was open. To his surprise he fell flat on his face, in reverence of that Divine Messenger, and in fear of the sword he saw in his hand.

    

Num 22:32 And the Messenger of יהוה said to him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? See, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is reckless before Me. -   Balaam at length had notice the YAH’s displeasure by the angel, and this did startle him. When YAHVEH opened his eyes as Balaam saw the angel, and then he himself fell flat upon his face, in reverence of that glorious messenger, and in fear of the sword he saw in his hand. YAHVEH has many ways of breading and bringing down the hard and unhumbled heart.

The angel reproved him for his outrageousness: Wherefore hast thou smitten thy ass? Whether we consider it or no, it is certain that YAHVEH will call us to account for the abuses done to his creatures. He shows him how much more reason he had to smite upon his breast, and to condemn himself, than to fly out thus against his ass "Thy way is perverse before me, and then how canst thou expect to prosper?’’, and how much wiser his ass was than himself, and how much beholden he was to her that she turned aside; it was for his safety, and not for her own, for had she gone on he had been slain, and she had been saved alive.