https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Numbers+24
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 10 April 2025:
Numbers 24:5 — How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
God’s people are meant to stand out—not blend in. Israel’s identity and blessing were meant to draw attention to God’s greatness. Live in a way that points others to God’s beauty through your life.
Numbers 24:17 – I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Balaam is given a glimpse of Jesus. All of the Bible is about Jesus Christ.
Numbers 24:17 combines a number of images that are and will become important in the symbolic grammar of scripture. First, the star and scepter are images of kingship—which is significant because Israel (Jacob) had no king at this point in their history.
Secondly, the language of Moab (which represents the enemies of YHWH and His people) having its forehead crushed harkens back to the “protoevangelium” of Genesis 3:15 where God tells the serpent (Satan) that a chosen descendent of Eve would one day bruise / crush his head, even as the serpent will bruise / crush the descendent’ s heel.
“Numbers 24:17 takes the imagery of kingship and the imagery of the promised serpent-trampling Savior and unites them. The Savior who will crush Satan’s head even as His own heel is crushed will be the King of Israel. Now, of course (and gloriously!) we know where this goes. However, it is awesome to see Jesus, in His penultimate words of revelation, explicitly link Himself with this prophecy — Revelation 22:16 – ‘I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.’
He Himself is the star who was to rise from Israel, the King who crushed the Dragon’s head as His own heel was crushed on Calvary, and who rose again as the ‘the Morning Star,’—the herald and bringer of New Creation Dawn.
When the Morning Star appears on the horizon, Night’s death is sealed. The Day is coming. And, in that sense, the crucified, risen and now-reigning Jesus is the Morning Star of history. But He is, of course, also the Sun who has risen and will soon rise, filling the earth with the radiance of the glory of God the Father….a radiance in which those who oppose Him will be burned to ash and those who fear him will be healed of all hurts (Malachi 4:1-2). We, with all the Church, say, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:17).” (fullofeyes.com)
Religious knowledge and spiritual gifts, no matter how impressive, are empty without genuine faith, love, and obedience to God.
Balaam proudly claimed that his eyes were open to spiritual truth. In ancient times, prophets were often called “seers” because they were given insight from God. Balaam had heard God’s words—just like many do today who hear sermons, read Scripture, or even speak spiritual truth—yet fail to truly listen or let it change their hearts.
He spoke of knowing the Most High and referred to God with great reverence. But here’s the warning: A person can be filled with head knowledge about God and still lack the grace of God entirely. Balaam showed no real fear of God, no sincere love for Him, and no living faith. His language sounded holy, but his heart remained far from God. It’s possible to get incredibly close to spiritual truth and yet still miss out on salvation.
In one of the clearest prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament, Balaam foretold the coming of a king—the “Star” and “Scepter” from Israel. While this pointed to David in part, it ultimately pointed to Jesus, the Messiah, who shines with divine glory and rules with unshakable authority. Christ will reign over all—those who welcome Him and those who resist Him. His rule will either bring peace and blessing or judgment and destruction.
Balaam, despite being a wicked man, was shown a vision of Christ—but only from afar. He did not behold Jesus like Job did, as a personal Redeemer. This is a sobering reminder: many will see Christ return, but not all will see Him as Savior. Some will, like the rich man in hell, look on from a great and tragic distance.
Balaam also prophesied about the fall of nations—Amalek, the Kenites, and later powers like the Greeks and Romans. He saw clearly that no empire, no matter how strong, can stand without God’s blessing. Even the strongest defenses—like a nest built in a rocky cliff—can’t protect against God’s judgment. All political upheaval is under God’s control, and His justice will ultimately prevail over every enemy of His people.
Instead of cursing Israel as he was hired to do, Balaam ended up speaking judgment over Israel’s enemies—from Amalek to Rome, including both pagan and religious opposition (even symbolic of antichrist powers today). He reminds us that God alone raises and topples kingdoms, and nothing escapes His sovereignty.
Finally, we must ask ourselves: are we any different from Balaam? Do we boast about spiritual gifts, eloquent prayers, or knowledge about God—yet lack a heart truly surrendered to Him? The gifts that really matter are not flashy, but faithful: trust in Jesus’ saving work, a heart that yields to God’s will, a desire to honor Him and help others. These simple but sincere marks of grace are the ones that lead to eternal life.
Even the weakest believer who prays, trusts, and obeys has more than Balaam ever had.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 10 April 2025: Ask God to help you move from knowing about Him to actually knowing Him. Don’t settle for impressive words or spiritual feelings—seek a heart that humbly loves, trusts, and follows Jesus. Spend time today praying for a deeper faith that expresses itself in action: generosity, obedience, repentance, and care for others. (Numbers 24:17)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 