Numbers 24:15-17

Then he uttered his oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.”

It has pleased God on various occasions to make known his will to people of a very unworthy character; and to show that his ways and thoughts are not regulated by the vain maxims of human wisdom. He proclaimed to Ahaz the conception of our Emmanuel in the womb of a virgin. To Nebuchadnezzar he revealed the successive destruction of the four great monarchies, and the erection of the Messiah’s kingdom on the ruins of them all.

Thus, in the passage before us, we are informed, that he declared to Balaam not only his purposes respecting Israel and the nations that surrounded them, but the advent of that glorious person, who, as a star should enlighten, and as a prince should govern, the whole world!

Let us consider,

I. The prophecy.

The introduction to this prophecy is worthy of our notice.

It seems very strongly to characterize the person who delivered it. When prophecies have been delivered by pious men, they have either been introduced with a plain declaration, “Thus says the Lord;” or the prefatory observations have been calculated to exalt and glorify God.

But Balaam’s prediction is ushered in with a pompous exhibition of his own attainments, intended, as it would seem, to wrest from Balak that respect and honor, which he had failed to procure by his preceding prophecies.

It shows us too, in a very solemn and convincing light, how much knowledge we may possess, while yet we are utterly destitute of converting grace. The most highly favored of God’s servants from the beginning of the world had not delivered a clearer prophecy of Christ than that which was uttered by Balaam on this occasion.

Nor is it improbable that the expectation which prevailed throughout the East, that a prince should arise out of Judea and rule the whole world, was occasioned very much by this prophecy. It is remarkable that the Eastern Magi no sooner saw the supernatural star, than they concluded that this Prince was born, and came immediately to Judea to inquire, Where is he who is born King of the Jews?

Yet where shall we find a baser character than Balaam’s? Having considerable knowledge of the true God, he still continued to use enchantments as a magician. He was so covetous that he “ran greedily after a reward,” and preferred “the wages of unrighteousness” to every consideration, either of duty to God or of love to man, Jude verse 11; 2 Peter 2:15-16.

His hypocrisy was conspicuous from first to last; for in the midst of all his high professions of regard to the will and Word of God, he labored to the utmost to counteract the designs of God, and to reverse his decrees. More murderous purposes never were entertained in the heart of man; for it was his most earnest desire to curse all the people of God, and to consign them over to destruction by the sword of their enemies.

His last act especially was truly diabolical; when he found he could not prevail to destroy their bodies, he taught their enemies how to tempt them and to destroy their souls! Revelation 2:14.

After comparing his character with his professions and attainments in divine knowledge, what shall we say? Shall we not tremble for ourselves, lest we should rest in a mere speculative knowledge of Christ, and fail, after all, of obtaining any saving interest in him?

We are elsewhere informed that we may have the gifts of prophecy, of tongues, and of a miraculous faith—and yet be only as sounding brass, or tinkling cymbals 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Our Lord assures us that many will in the last day plead the miraculous works that they have performed, but be dismissed with this humiliating answer: Depart from me, I never knew you! Matthew 7:22-23. Even Judas himself was not, in respect of gifts, behind the very chief Apostles. Let us never value ourselves on any discoveries of the truths of Scripture, unless we have suitable affections and a correspondent practice.

The prophecy itself is deserving of particular attention.

In its primary sense it must be understood in reference to David. The immediate intention of Balaam was to inform Balak “what the Israelites would do unto his people in the latter days.” Accordingly he declares that one, like a star for brightness, should arise from among the Jews at a distant period, to sway the Jewish scepter, and to destroy the kingdoms of Edom and Moab. This was fulfilled in David, who subjugated the Moabites, and slew every male in Edom, 2 Samuel 8:2; 2 Samuel 8:14; Psalm 60:8; 1 Kings 11:15-16.

But there can be no doubt that this prophecy ultimately referred to Christ himself. Christ is called in Scripture “the Day-star,” “the bright and morning Star;” nor did ever anyone arise with splendor comparable to his. He too sat upon the throne of his father David, and exercised unlimited dominion.

The children of Edom and Moab may be justly considered as representing the enemies of his Church and people. These he subdues and will finally destroy; not one shall live before him, “he will reign until he has put all enemies under his feet.”

Doubts have arisen whether by “Sheth” we are to understand that son of Adam, whose posterity alone survived the flood; or some person or place of eminence in Moab; (which on the whole is the more probable) but in both senses the prediction was equally fulfilled in Christ, who “has the heathen for his inheritance and the utmost ends of the earth for his possession.” Him then did Balaam see, as Abraham also had seen four hundred years before, but not, alas! with Abraham’s joyful hope. Of his victorious career he spoke, saying, “I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not near.”

Having ascertained the import of the prophecy, let us consider,

II. The improvement to be made of it.

1. Let us be thankful for its accomplishment.

We have not to look forward at the distance of fifteen centuries; nor yet to travel, like the Eastern Magi, through trackless deserts, to behold the Lord. We see him “now,” we behold him “near.” We have not to go up to Heaven, to bring him down, or to go down into the deep, to bring him up. No, he is near unto us, even in the word of faith which we have both in our hands and our hearts, Romans 10:6-8. Truly he is not only arisen on our benighted world, but, if it is not our own fault, “he is arisen in our very hearts, 2 Peter 1:19,” so that “we behold his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of his Father, full of grace and truth, John 1:14.”

We see his “dominion” already established in the world, verse 19. From the hour in which he sent down his Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost even to the present moment, has his kingdom been extending over the face of the earth; and the hour is fast approaching when “all kings shall fall down before him, and all nations shall serve him, Psalm 72:3-11,” and “all the kingdoms of the world become his undivided empire.”

I may say also, that even in the hearts of many here present he has set up his throne! Yes, and I hope that in due season “he will bruise Satan himself under our feet,” and “bring every thought into captivity” to his holy will. If we then are not thankful, methinks “the very stones will cry out against us.”

2. Let us receive the Lord under the very characters by which he is here revealed.

Let us give up ourselves willingly to his guidance, and not regard any difficulties we may encounter in our way. Truly we may see our way traced out with accuracy in his blessed word, the way which he himself trod when he was upon earth. It is impossible to miss our end, if only we follow his steps.

Let us also surrender up ourselves to him in a way of holy obedience, knowing no will but his, and doing it without reserve. Under him we ourselves also are to fight; and if we “do valiantly, verse 18,” we have nothing to fear; for “through his strength we can do all things, Philippians 4:13.” You have seen how Edom and Moab fell before David, and how Christ’s “scepter” has prevailed over the great enemy of our salvation. And so shall “all enemies be put both under his feet,” and under ours, until, having overcome like him, we are exalted to his throne forever and ever.

See Israel at the time of Balaam’s prophecy. They were altogether unused to war; yet did they vanquish all the kingdoms of Canaan. And so shall we, though weak as “worms, thresh the mountains” before us, Isaiah 41:14-15, and be “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” In vain shall any attempt to “curse us;” for “there is no enchantment against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel;” and to all eternity shall we, as monuments of our Redeemer’s love, be occupied with adoring gratitude, each exclaiming for himself, and all uniting in that overwhelming sentiment, “What has God wrought! Numbers 23:23.”

Charles Simeon (1759-1836)