Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, You have set us apart by Your commandments and have commanded us to actively study Your Torah. Please YHVH, our Elohim, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May You open our eyes to see marvellous truths from Your Torah. Thank You for calling us who were once gentiles excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no expectation and without Elohim- but now through the blood of Messiah we have gained access into the covenant and have obtained citizenship into the commonwealth of Israel. Blessed are You, YHVH, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel. Amein
“Balak’’ is the Parshah of the future, where evil is transformed to good and curses emerge as blessings. It is in Balak that the most beautiful verses describing the uniqueness of Yisrael and the specialty of their relationship with the Almighty issue out of the vile mouth of Balaam, summoned by Balak to curse the Hebrew people. And it is in Balak that the most explicit reference to the era of Moshiach in the Five Books of Moses is found, in the form of a prophecy by the same Balaam.”
Num 24:17 “I see Him,[a] but not now; I observe Him, but not near. A Star shall come out of Ya‛aqoḇ, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Yisra’ěl, and shall smite the corners (all the land) of Mo’aḇ, and shall destroy all the sons of Shěth – or sons of confusion.
The conclusion of this parashah is tragic, even though the people of Yisrael could not be cursed, they would self -destruct through self-deception and adopting pagan practices that resulted in their immoral behaviour.
“Balaam’s personality is an old enigma, which has baffled the skill of commentators. It seems probable that he had from the first learned some elements of pure and true religion in his home in Mesopotamia, the cradle of the ancestors of Israel. He thus belongs, with Melchizedek, Job and Jethro, to the scattered worshippers of the true Elohim of Israel, at the same time he is represented in scripture as a heathen sorcerer, true prophet and the perverter who suggested a peculiarly abhorrent means of bringing about the ruin of Israel” Balak - means “destroyer””
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! Because
they have gone in the way of Qayin, and gave themselves to the delusion of
Bilʽam for a reward, and perished
in the rebellion of Qoraḥ.
Aliyah Rishon 22:2-12
וירא בלק ''and Balak saw'' Balak ‘’saw’’ that YHVH deeply loved Israel and Balak would not rest
until he had found a way to destroy Israel – tragically he found a way.
Num 22:2 And
Balaq son of Tsippor saw all that Yisra’ĕl had done to the Amorites.
וירא בלק ''and Balak saw'' this
end time spirit will once again see what YHVH is going to do to Yisrael's
enemies. The tragedy and horror of this parashah is that it was not Yisrael’s
enemies that brought destruction to Yisrael, but Yisrael’s destruction was self-inflicted
when they allowed themselves to be deceived by those who pretended to have
their best interests at heart.
‘’Balak’’ saw what Yisrael did to
Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran.
Dan 8:23 “And in the latter time of their rule, when the
transgressors have filled up their measure, a sovereign, fierce of face and
skilled at intrigues, shall stand up (a king like Balak). Dan 8:24
“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power, and he shall destroy
incredibly, and shall prosper and thrive, and destroy mighty men, and the
set-apart people. Dan 8:25 “And through his skill he shall make deceit
prosper in his hand, and hold himself to be great in his heart, and destroy
many who are at ease, and even stand against the Prince of princes – yet
without hand he shall be broken. Dan 8:26 “And what was said in the
vision of the evening and morning is truth. And hide the vision, for it is
after many days.” Dan 8:27 And I, Dani’ěl, was stricken and became
sick for days. Then I rose up and went about the sovereign’s work. And I was
amazed at the vision, but there was no understanding.
Dan 9:27 “And he (anti messiah) shall confirm a
covenant with many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall put an
end to slaughtering and meal offering. And on the wing of abominations he shall
lay waste, even until the complete end and that which is decreed is poured out on
the one who lays waste.”[a] Footnote: a Mat_24:15.
Dan 11:31 “And strong ones shall arise from him and profane the
set-apart place, the stronghold, and shall take away that which is continual,
and set up the abomination that lays waste.[a] Footnote: aSee Dan_8:13, Dan_9:27,
Mat_24:15. Dan 11:32 “And by flatteries he shall profane
those who do wrong against the covenant, but the people who know their Elohim shall be strong, and shall act. Dan 11:33 “And those of the people who have insight shall give
understanding to many. And they shall stumble by
sword and flame, by captivity and plundering, for days. Dan 11:34
“And when they stumble, they shall be helped, a little help, but many shall
join them, by flatteries. Dan 11:35 “And some of those who have
insight shall stumble, to refine them, and to cleanse them, and to make them
white, until the time of the end, for it is still for
an appointed time. Dan 11:36 “And
the sovereign shall do as he pleases, and exalt himself and show himself to be
great above every mighty one, and speak incredible
matters against the Ěl of mighty ones, and shall
prosper until the wrath has been accomplished – for what has been decreed shall
be done – Dan 11:37 and have no regard for the mighty ones of his
fathers nor for the desire of women, nor have regard for any mighty one, but exalt himself above them all. Dan 11:38 “But in his place he shall give esteem to a mighty
one of strongholds. And to a mighty one which his fathers did not know he shall
give esteem with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly
gifts. Dan 11:39 “And he shall act against the strongest strongholds
with a foreign mighty one, which he shall acknowledge. He shall increase in esteem and cause them to rule
over many, and divide the land for gain.
Dan 7:21 “I was looking, and this horn was fighting against the set-apart ones, and was prevailing against
them, Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and right-ruling was given to the set-apart ones of the Most High, and
the time came and the set-apart ones
took possession of the reign. See also Rev 13:7
(Emphasis added)
Num 22:2 And Balaq son of Tsippor saw all that
Yisra’ĕl had done to the Amorites.
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.
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,
Num 22:5 and
he sent messengers to Bilʽam(means ‘’destroyer of people’’) son of Beʽor at Pethor,(Hebrew word ‘patar’ means to
interpret dreams) 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!
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.”
Meaning Bilaam - From (1) the verb בלע (bala'), to swallow, and (2) the noun עם ('am), people or kinsman.
So “prophetically speaking” what did Balak see that so totally
overwhelmed and terrified him?
The same vision that an end time unbelieving world fears - “The destruction
of Israels enemies, the establishing of Israel in their own land, the
ingathering of the twelve tribes, the rebuilding of the Temple and the return
of the temple service AND THE RETURN OF THE MESSIAH and the proclamation of and
establishing of the complete obedience of the Torah for all nations.”
This spirit will manifest again in the anti-messiah in the last days but
only much, much worse.
Rev 16:13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet,
three unclean spirits, as frogs, Rev 16:14 for they are spirits of
demons, doing signs, which go out to the sovereigns of the entire world, to
gather them to the battle of that great day of יהוה the
Almighty.
Num 22:7
And the elders of Mo’aḇ and the elders of Miḏyan
left with the fees for divination (Heb ‘’qesem’’ S7081)
in their hand, and they came to Bilʽam and spoke the words of
Balaq to him.
BDB Definition: ‘’qesem’’- divination, witchcraft (noun)
BDB Definition: ‘’qâsam’’ of diviners of the nations, Balaam (verb)
‘’Qassam Brigades is the military wing of the Palestinian organization Hamas, operating in the Gaza Strip. It was led by Mohammed Deif and, before his death on 10 March 2024, his deputy, Marwan Issa’’ Wikipedia
Dan 2:19
Then the secret was revealed to Dani’ěl in a night vision, and Dani’ěl blessed
the Elah of the heavens. Dan 2:20 Dani’ěl responded and said,
“Blessed be the Name of Elah forever and ever, for wisdom and might are
His. Dan 2:21 “And He changes the times and the seasons. He removes
sovereigns and raises up sovereigns. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge
to those who possess understanding. Dan 2:22 “He reveals deep and
secret matters. He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with
Him. Dan 2:23 “I thank You and praise You, O Elah of my fathers. You
have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of
You, for You have made known to us the sovereign’s matter.”
Deu 29:29
“The secret matters belong to יהוה our Elohim, but what is
revealed belongs to us and to our children forever, to do all the Words of this
Torah.
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.
Num 22:9 And Elohim came to Bilʽam and said, “Who are these
men with you?”
Num 22:10 And Bilʽam said to Elohim, “Balaq, son
of Tsippor, sovereign of Mo’aḇ, has sent to me, saying,
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.’ ”
Num 22:12 And Elohim said to Bilʽam, “Do not go with them. You
do not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
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.”
Num 22:14 And the heads of Mo’aḇ arose and went to Balaq, and
said, “Bilʽam refuses to come with us.”
Num 22:15 Then Balaq again sent
heads, more numerous and more esteemed than they.
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,
Num 22:17 for I esteem you very
greatly, and whatever you say to me, I do. Therefore please come, curse this
people for me.’ ”
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.
Num 22:19 “And now, please, you also
stay here tonight, and let me find out what more יהוה says to me.”
Num 22:20 And Elohim 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.”
Num 22:21 And Bilʽam rose in the morning and
saddled his donkey, and went with the heads of Mo’aḇ.
Num 22:22 But the displeasure of Elohim burned because
he went, and
the Messenger (a 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.
Num 22:23 And the donkey saw the
Messenger (a 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.
Num 22:24 Then the Messenger (a
messenger)of יהוה stood in a narrow passage between the vineyards, with a wall on
this side and a wall on that side.
Num 22:25 And when the donkey saw
the Messenger(a messenger) of יהוה, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Bilʽam’s foot against the wall, so
he beat her again.
Num 22:26 And the Messenger(a
messenger) of יהוה went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no
way to turn aside, right or left.
Num 22:27 And when the donkey saw
the Messenger(a messenger) of יהוה, she lay down under Bilʽam. So Bilʽam’s displeasure burned, and
he beat the donkey with his staff.
Num 22:28 Then יהוה opened the
mouth of the donkey, and she said to Bilʽam, “What have I done to you,
that you have beaten me these three times?”
Num 22:29 And Bilʽam 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!”
Num 22:30 And the donkey said to Bilʽam, “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.”
Num 22:31 Then יהוה opened Bilʽam’s eyes, and he saw the
Messenger(a messenger) of יהוה standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand. And he
bowed his head and fell on his face.
Num 22:32 And the Messenger(a
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.
Num 22:33 “And the donkey saw Me and
turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, I
certainly would have killed you by now, and let her live.”
Num 22:34 And Bilʽam said to the Messenger (a
messenger)of יהוה, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way
against me. And now, if evil is in Your eyes, let me turn back.”
Num 22:35 And the Messenger of יהוה said to Bilʽam, “Go with the men, but only
the word that I speak to you, that you speak.” Bilʽam then went with the heads of
Balaq.
Num 22:36 And when Balaq heard that
Bilʽam was coming, he went out to
meet him at the city of Mo’aḇ, which is on the border at the Arnon, which was in the
extremity of the border.
Num 22:37 And Balaq said to Bilʽam, “Did I not urgently send
to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to esteem
you?”
Num 22:38 And Bilʽam said to Balaq, “See, I have
come to you! Now, am I at all able to say somewhat? The word that Elohim puts
in my mouth, that I speak.”
Num 22:39 And Bilʽam went with Balaq, and they
came to Qiryath Ḥutsoth.
Num 22:40 And Balaq slaughtered
cattle and sheep, and he sent some to Bilʽam and to the heads who were
with him.
Num 22:41 And it came to be the next
day, that Balaq took Bilʽam and brought him up to the high places of Baʽal, and from there he saw the
extremity of the camp.
Balaam's First Oracle
Num 23:1 And Bil‛am said to
Balaq, “Build seven slaughter-places for me here, and prepare seven bulls and
seven rams for me here.”
Num 23:2 And Balaq did as Bil‛am had spoken, and Balaq and Bil‛am
offered a bull and a ram on each slaughter-place.
Num 23:3 Bil‛am then said to Balaq, “Stand by your ascending
offering, and let me go on. It might be that יהוה does come to meet me, and whatever He
shows me I shall declare to you.” And he went to a bare height.
Num 23:4 And Elohim came to Bil‛am, and he said to Him, “I have
prepared the seven slaughter-places, and I have offered on each slaughter-place
a bull and a ram.”
Num 23:5 And יהוה put a
word in the mouth of Bil‛am, and said, “Return to Balaq, and this is what you
say.”
Num 23:6 And he returned to him and saw him standing by his ascending
offering, he and all the heads of Mo’aḇ.
Num 23:7 And he took up his proverb and said, “Balaq the sovereign of
Mo’aḇ has brought me from Aram, from the mountains of the east. ‘Come, curse
Ya‛aqoḇ for me, and come, rage at Yisra’ěl!’
Num 23:8 “How do I curse whom Ěl has not cursed? And how do I rage at
whom יהוה has not raged?
Num 23:9 “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills
I observe him. Look, a people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the
nations.
We are not like other people.
Tit 2:14 who
gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness[b] and to cleanse for
Himself a people, His own possession, ardent for good works.[c]
Footnotes: bSee also 1Jn_3:4, Mat_1:21, Act_3:19 and Act_3:26,
Act_26:18, Rom_6:1-22, Eph_2:1-10, 1Jn_3:8, Tit_3:5.
c Mat_16:27.
Apostolic scriptures
affirm the Torah portion with a very stern warning to religious leaders and
their followers who mislead the flock and persecute YHVH’s appointed shepherds
– seeking fame and fortune.
2Pe 2:15 who have
forsaken the right way and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the
son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 2Pe 2:16 but he was
rebuked for his transgression: a dumb donkey speaking with the voice of a man
restrained the madness of the prophet. 2Pe 2:17 These are fountains
without water, clouds driven by a storm, to whom the blackest darkness is kept
forever. 2Pe 2:21 For it would have been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the
set-apart command[e] delivered unto them. Footnote: eThe singular “command”
often means “commands” – see 1Ti_6:14, Deu_17:20, Psa_19:8.
Rev 2:14 “But I
hold a few matters against you, because you have there those who adhere
to the teaching of Bil‛am, who taught Balaq to put a stumbling-block before the
children of Yisra’ěl, to eat food offered to idols, and to commit
whoring. Rev 2:20 “But I hold against you that you allow that woman
Izeḇel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead My servants astray to
commit whoring and to eat food offered to idols. Rev 2:21
“And I gave her time to repent of her whoring, and she did not repent. (‘’climbing
into bed with false teachings and fornicating with them’’)
Rev 2:17 “He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who
overcomes I shall give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I shall give him a
white stone, and on the stone a renewed Name written which no one knows except
him who receives it.” ’
All Yisrael’s
enemies will eventually perish - Jos 13:22 The sons of Yisrael also
killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword, among their
slain.
ד וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ--
יוֹשֵׁב, תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל. Ps 22
Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth, and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.
