8/16/2024

Parashat 40 Portion 130 ‘’Balak’’ B’Midbar 23:10 - 24:25 Yesh 49:23-26; 50:4-10 Yoh 10:27-30


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

Bilaam utters seven parables or “mashalim” over the nation of Israel. These parables contain cryptic 

hidden messages.These parables were originally intended to bring curses on Israel but turned out 

to bring the most amazing blessings.

 

Mat 13:34  יהושע said all this to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a 

parable, Mat 13:35  so that what was spoken by the prophet might be filled, saying, “I shall open 

My mouth in parables, I shall pour forth what has been hidden from the foundation of the 

world.” Psa_78:2

 

Luk 8:10  And He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the reign of Elohim, but 

to the rest in parables, that

 ‘Seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not understand.’ Isa_6:9

 

מי מנה ‘’who will be able to count’’ those who come from the descendants of Yakov?

 

Aliyah Reviee

Bemidbar 23:10-23:12 First Parable:

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. Num 23:10  “Who shall count the dust of Ya‛aqoḇ, and the number of one-fourth of Yisra’ěl? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” Num 23:11  And Balaq said to Bil‛am, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have kept on blessing!” Num 23:12  And he answered and said, “Should I not take heed to speak what יהוה has put in my mouth?” 

Bilaam standing on the mountain peak is not filled with dread or fear but with an overwhelming sense of jubilant praise to the Almighty as he beholds Yisrael. Bilaam recognizes that Yisrael is different from all other nations through its laws and instructions and that the Almighty has set apart Yisrael for Himself.

“shall not recon itself among the nations” the hitpael verb “hitchashav” is used and means to “consider or recon itself.” This is the only place in the Torah and in the Tenach that this hitpael verb is used, perhaps reminding us that only Yisrael and those who have been grafted into the “Tree of Yisrael “will enjoy this unique set apart relationship with YHVH. Note “different” but not “superior.” YHVH is no respecter of persons - Rom 2:11  For there is no partiality with Elohim. Rom 2:12  For as many as sinned without Torah shall also perish without Torah, and as many as sinned in the Torah shall be judged by the Torah. Rom 2:13  For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah[c] shall be declared right. Footnote: c Mat_7:21-27, Jas_2:14-24.

 It is our covenant relationship with YHVH and with one another as revealed in the Torah that makes us different.

‘’Such a people Balaam could not curse; he could only wish that the end of his own life might resemble the end of theirs. Death is introduced here as the end and completion of life. “Balaam desires for himself the entire, full, indestructible, and inalienable blessedness of the Israelite, of which death is both the close and completion, and also the seal and attestation” (Kurtz). This desire did not involve the certain hope of a blessed life beyond the grave, which the Israelites themselves did not then possess; it simply expressed the thought that the death of a pious Israelite was desirable good. (Ps 116:15) And this it was, whether viewed in the light of the past, the present, or the future. In the hour of death the pious Israelite could look back with blessed satisfaction to a long life, rich “in traces of the beneficent, forgiving, delivering, and saving grace of God;” he could comfort himself with the delightful hope of living on in his children and his children's children, and in them of participating in the future fulfilment of the divine promises of grace; and lastly, when dying in possession of the love and grace of God, he could depart hence with the joyful confidence of being gathered to his fathers in Sheol (Gen_25:8)’’. Rom 11:29

Moshe addresses this issue when he bids farewell to his fellow Yisraelites before he died.

Deu 4:4  “But you who are clinging to יהוה your Elohim are alive today, every one of you. 

Deu 4:5  “See, I have taught you laws and right-rulings, as יהוה my Elohim commanded me, to do thus in the land which you go to possess. 

Deu 4:6  “And you shall guard and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these laws, and they shall say, ‘Only a wise and understanding people is this great nation!’ 

Deu 4:7  “For what great nation is there which has Elohim so near to it, as יהוה our Elohim is to us, whenever we call on Him? 

Deu 4:8  “And what great nation is there that has such laws and righteous right-rulings like all this Torah which I set before you this day? 

Deu 4:9  “Only, guard yourself, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the Words your eyes have seen, and lest they turn aside from your heart all the days of your life. And you shall make them known to your children and your grandchildren.

 

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and the calling of Elohim are not to be repented of. (cannot be changed)

 

In Messiah who has grafted us into His chosen people Israel we too have this unique calling.

 

1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race,[b] Deu_10:15 a royal priesthood,[c] Isa_61:6 a set-apart nation,[d] Exo_19:6 a people for a possession,[e] Isa_43:2 that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, Footnotes: bAlso see Isa_43:20. cAlso see Isa_66:21. dAlso see Deu_7:6. eAlso see Exo_19:5, Tit_2:14

1Pe 2:10  who once were not a people,[f]but now the people of Elohim;[f] who had not obtained compassion,[f] but now obtained compassion.[f] Hos_1:9-10, Hos_2:23. Footnote: fAlso see Isa_65:1, Hos_1:9, Isa_63:16, Isa_64:8, Rom_9:25-26

 

Exo 19:5  ‘And now, if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples – for all the earth is Mine – 

Exo 19:6  ‘and you shall be to Me a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisra’ěl.” 

Aliyah Chamishi 23:13-26

Num 23:13  And Balaq said to him, “Please come with me to another place from where you see them. You only see the extremity but not all of them. Curse them for me from there

Num 23:14  And he took him to the field of Tsophim,(“watchers” see Book of Enoch)  to the top of Pisgah,(cleft or temporary separation) and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Num 23:15  And he said to Balaq, “Stand here by your burnt offering while I meet over there.”

Num 23:16  And יהוה came to Bilʽam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Go back to Balaq, and say this.”

Num 23:17  So he went to him and saw him standing by his burnt offering, and the heads of Mo’aḇ with him. And Balaq asked him, “What did יהוה say?”

 

Second oracle 18-24 – Victorious in YHVH’s Faithfulness

Num 23:18  And he took up his proverb and said, “Rise up, Balaq, and hear! Listen to me, son of Tsippor!

Num 23:19  “Ěl is not a man, to lie; nor a son of man, to repent! (Rom 11:29) Has He said, and would He not do it; or spoken, and would not confirm it?

Num 23:20  “See, I have received, to bless. And He has blessed, and I do not reverse it.

Num 23:21  “He has not looked upon wickedness (Heb ‘’avon’’ or lawlessness) in Yaʽaqoḇ, nor has He seen trouble in Yisra’ĕl. יהוה his Elohim is with him, and the shout of a Sovereign is in him.

 

Act 17:30  “Truly, then, having overlooked these times of ignorance, Elohim now commands all men everywhere to repent, Act 17:31  because He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed,[b] having given proof of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Footnote: bSee Act_10:42

 

Midrash: This verse is possibly saying that YHVH looks at their iniquity in such a way as to His foreknowledge of Yisraels repentance - Zec 12:10  “And I shall pour on the house of Dawiḏ and on the inhabitants of Yerushalayim a spirit of favour and prayers. And they shall look on Me whom they pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. And they shall be in bitterness over Him as a bitterness over the first-born. 

 

Num 23:22  “Ěl who brought them out of Mitsrayim, is for them like the horns of a wild ox.(wild ox or ראים)

Num 23:23  “For there is no sorcery against Yaʽaqoḇ, nor is there any divination (unless you let the demons in for a while, while you came to your senses) against Yisra’ĕl. Now it is said to Yaʽaqoḇ and to Yisra’ĕl, ‘What has Ěl done!’

Num 23:24  “Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion; it lies not down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.”

Num 23:25  And Balaq said to Bilʽam, “Do not curse them at all, nor bless them at all!”

Num 23:26  And Bilʽam answered and said to Balaq, “Have I not spoken to you, saying, ‘All that יהוה speaks, that I do’?”

 

Aliyah Shishi 23:27-24:14

 

Num 23:27  And Balaq said to Bilʽam, “Please come, let me take you to another place. It might be right in the eyes of Elohim that you curse them for me from there.”

Num 23:28  And Balaq took Bilʽam to the top of Peʽor, that overlooks the wasteland.

Num 23:29  And Bilʽam said to Balaq, “Build seven alters for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me here.”

Num 23:30  And Balaq did as Bilʽam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Num 24:1  And when Bilʽam saw that it pleased יהוה to bless Yisra’ĕl, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Num 24:2  And Bilʽam lifted up his eyes and saw Yisra’ĕl encamped according to their tribes. And the Spirit of Elohim came upon him.

 

Third oracle – 3-9 – Yisrael is the blessed of YHVH.

 

Num 24:3  And he took up his proverb and said, “The saying of Bilʽam, son of Beʽor, and the saying of the man whose eyes are opened,

Num 24:4  the saying of him who hears the words of Ěl, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes opened wide:

Num 24:5  “How good are your tents, O Yaʽaqoḇ, your dwellings, O Yisra’ĕl!

Num 24:6  “Like wadis that stretch out, like gardens by a river, like aloes planted by יהוה, like cedars beside waters.

Num 24:7  “He makes water flow from his buckets, and his seed is in many waters. His sovereign is higher than Aḡaḡ, and his reign is exalted.

 

Num 24:8  “Ěl who brought him out of Mitsrayim is for them like the horns of a wild ox; he devours nations, his enemies; and he breaks their bones, and with his arrows he smites.

Num 24:9  “He bowed down, he lay down like a lion. And, like a lion, who would rouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.” Gen 12:3

 

Num 24:10  Then the displeasure of Balaq burned against Bilʽam, and he struck his hands together. Balaq then said to Bilʽam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and see, you have kept on blessing, these three times!

Num 24:11  “And now flee to your place. I said I would greatly esteem you, and see, יהוה has kept you back from esteem.”

Num 24:12  And Bilʽam said to Balaq, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

Num 24:13  ‘If Balaq should give me his house filled with silver and gold, I am unable to go beyond the word of יהוה, to do either good or evil of my own heart. What יהוה speaks, that I speak’?

Num 24:14  “And now, see, I am going to my people. Come, let me advise you what this people is going to do to your people in the latter days.” (now he is adding insult to injury to Balak. Bilaam is now going to give the knock- out blow. Balak was having a very bad day, and it was about to get worse)

 

Aliyah Sheviee 24:15 – 25:9

 

Fourth oracle vs 15-19 – The promised Messiah

 

 Num 24:15  And he took up his proverb and said, “The saying of Bilʽam, son of Beʽor, and the saying of the man whose eyes are opened, (he is wide awake, he is not dreaming or under any demonic influence)

Num 24:16  the saying of him who hears the words of Ěl, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes opened wide:

Num 24:17  “I see Him, but not now; I observe Him, but not near. A Star shall come out of Yaʽaqoḇ, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Yisra’ĕl, and shall smite the corners of Mo’aḇ, and shall destroy all the sons of Shĕth.

Num 24:18  “And Eḏom shall be a possession; and Sĕʽir shall be a possession – enemies – and Yisra’ĕl is doing mightily.

Num 24:19  “And out of Yaʽaqoḇ One shall rule and destroy the remnant from Ar.” Is 15:1

Num 24:20  He then looked on Amalĕq, and he took up his proverb and said, “Amalĕq was first among the nations, but his latter end is to perish forever.”

Num 24:21  He then looked on the Qĕynites, and he took up his proverb and said, “Firm is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock,

Num 24:22  but Qayin is to be burned (eradicated). Till when does Asshur (Heb ‘’straight’’ second son of Shem) keep you captive?”

Num 24:23  And he took up his proverb and said, “Oh, who does live when Ěl does this?

 

Oracles 5-7 vs 20 – 24 – Israel rules in victory over all her enemies.

 

Num 24:24  And ships shall come from the coast of Kittim,(‘bruisers” descendants of Javan – Greece) and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Ěḇer, and so shall Amalĕq, and he also perishes.”

Num 24:25  And Bilʽam arose and left, and returned to his place. And Balaq also went his way.

Num 25:1  And Yisra’ĕl dwelt in Shittim,(last halting place before they crossed the Jordon – a place of piercings) and the people began to whore with the daughters of Mo’aḇ,

Num 25:2  and they invited the people to the slaughterings of their mighty ones, and the people ate and bowed down to their mighty ones.

Num 25:3  Thus Yisra’ĕl was joined to Baʽal Peʽor, and the displeasure of יהוה burned against Yisra’ĕl.

Num 25:4  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang them up before יהוה, before the sun, so that the burning displeasure of יהוה turns away from Yisra’ĕl.”

 

Baal-peor = “master(husband) of the gap”- the deity worshipped at Peor. The Torah says that Yisrael “yoked” themselves to Baal Peor. Our forefathers made an alliance with demonic forces that continue with their descendants.

 

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 – Ameyn

How and when the great tribulation begins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kySXvu6v9sI

PROOF The Tribulation Begins with a Peace Treaty - 4 Verses From 4 Different Books of the Bible (youtube.com)

2024 - Ready for the Final 7 Years? Why the Covenant TRIGGERS The Tribulation (youtube.com)


8/08/2024

Parashat 40 Portion 129 - Balak – B’Midbar 22:2-23:9 Micah 7:16-20 Nah1:7, 2:1-3 1Pet 5:5-7


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.