Numbers 24 Devotional
by Pastor Lawrence

As the apostle Paul would say later on in Romans 8:38-39 that there are no angels nor rulers, nor powers in the heights or depths that can separate us from the love of God, so there is no curse pronounced by any shaman, magician or witch doctor that can have any effect on us who are blessed in Christ Jesus. Even today, in some third world countries, those familiar with black magic still seek out pagan priests to curse Christian missionaries but to no avail. The kingdom of God has come and it will continue to grow until it fills the whole earth, and those who are true subjects of that kingdom will receive the full blessing of the Lord, even if they are cursed by men.

Similar to the pharaoh in Egypt who had his heart hardened by God, it seems that Balak has no common sense when continuing to pay for the services of Balaam in order to curse God’s people when all he does is bless them instead. Nevertheless, he tries one more time to induce this conflicted prophet into pronouncing some woe upon Israel. But this time Balaam doesn’t look for omens as he did in the previous prophecies. Prior to this mentioning, we were never told that Balaam looked for omens or how he would do so, but clearly he has now seen the futility of trying to manipulate the hand of God in this matter, for God is determined to bless his people just as he promised their forefather Abraham hundreds of years prior.

Thus far, much of Balaam’s prophecies have focused on Israel’s present circumstances, but now Balaam begins to see farther into the future. Already he had mentioned in the previous chapter in v.21 that “the shout of a king is among them,” which seems strange given the fact that Israel clearly had no king other than the Lord at the time, but now the prophet begins to see more of this king who “shall be higher than Agag,” and more of his kingdom which “shall be exalted.” Balaam says that God brings him (this king) “out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows.” Even the Jews admit that these verse are messianic in nature, for they are reminiscent of the prophecy of the messiah king in Psalm 2. Again, describing both Israel and her king like a lion, there is no sense of God’s curse upon His people but only blessing and strength under the banner of her promised king.

Of course, this third prophecy was not pleasing to Balak, so he finally decides to send Balaam home, but before he leaves, he shares one more word from the Lord in a fourth prophecy concerning what God’s people will do to Balak’s own people in the latter days.” But, again, instead of describing the multitude of Israelites, Balaam sees this messianic figure in the future who shall come out of Jacob like a star and out of Israel like a scepter, both of which were common symbol of kingship in ancient times.
Balaam says that this king will crush the forehead of Moab, in the same vein as the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent and his seed. So, clearly the Moabites at this time are in league with Satan in their opposition to the people of God. This coming king will also crush Edom, another enemy of God’s people.

Interestingly, the Amalekites, who are the descendants of Agag, the mighty king mentioned earlier, are also Edomites which are descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, thus the animosity that started in the womb of Rebekah would continue on for thousands of years as a reflection of that original enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, but in the end, the ultimate seed would claim the victory over the devil at the cross.

It wasn’t difficult for later gospel writers and theologians to see the connection between the messianic star of Jacob and the star leading the magi to Bethlehem. Like Balaam, they were a wise people from the east, but instead of seeking to curse the newborn king, they would come bearing gifts in worship, showing that God’s blessings would, indeed, come through the messiah, the Son of God.
Anyone today who looks to that messiah by faith is blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, but anyone who rejects him is surely cursed by God, no matter what men might plot and plan otherwise.