Corruption from Within

March 16, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Numbers 24:1-25

The tents of Jacob around the Tabernacle

We begin today's reading with Balaam deciding not to practice divination like he normally does, because God is determined to bless Israel.  The Spirit of God comes upon Balaam, and we hear the clear and beautiful voice of God poured out of this man.  Balaam describes in vs. 4 that as he receives this vision, he (Balaam) falls down with his eyes wide open.  Here is a list of what God says:

• God expresses how much He loves seeing the camp of Israel. 
• Jacob's tents are beautiful to God. 
• He sees them as fruitful people, whose needs are supplied by Him. 
• Their King is God, and He is greater than the local kings.
• Although they were like wild ox, he brought them up from Egypt. 
• He devours those who oppose Israel. 
• Israel is like a lion.
• God blesses those who bless Israel, and curses those who curse her.

King Balak is furious at this prophecy. He complains that he intended to give Balaam great wealth for the proper curse against Israel.  Balaam responds that there is nothing he can do about this.  Before going back to his own people, Balaam gives one final prophecy about the future.  Here are highlights:

• I see him, far in the distant future.
• A star will rise in Jacob.
• A scepter will come from Israel.
• Israel will crush Moab, Sheth, Edom and Seir.  Ir will also be defeated.
• Amalek will be destroyed.
• Kenites will be destroyed.

• Assyria and Eber will be destroyed.

Who is this man in the distant future that Balaam sees in his vision?  The star in the East (Matthew 2:2) leads the wise men to Christ.  The scepter, which represents a king, is what the wise men were seeking when they came to Jerusalem to find the king who is signified by a star.  Are you surprised that Balaam's prophecy was carried through approximately 1500 years to a group of scholars in Persia?  Combined with the prophecies of Daniel, who lived in Babylon and then under the reign of a Persian king, the wise men were aware of what had been prophesied through Balaam about a king that would be born and save the world.

Balaam's prophecy also confirms Noah's prophecy that the Canaanites would be cursed and destroyed.  Shem's kids (Israelites) are going to defeat Ham's kids (Canaanites) in many upcoming battles.  Remember, that God wants to paint a living picture that He destroys the wicked, but blesses the righteous.  No one can see the rebellion of the Israelites and believe that God is calling them righteous because of their behavior.  He is chosing to bless them because of His promise to Abraham and their destiny to bring Christ to mankind. Canaan represents the wicked and Israel represents the righteous, in the story.  Abraham establishes for us that faith makes us righteous before a Holy God.

It doesn't appear that Balaam ever did anything to help King Balak curse the Israelites, but the Bible tells us the rest of the story in the Book of Revelation.  Revelation 2:14 tells us (this is Jesus speaking to the church at Pergamum):

"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality."

Apparently, what Balaam did was suggest to King Balak that instead of trying to defeat Israel militarily, the Canaanites ought to infiltrate them, intermarry and influence them to follow their gods.  This is exactly what we read about next.

The Israelite men begin to sleep with Moabite women, and they get invited to some parties where they sacrifice to the local gods.  Let me take a moment to talk about Baal worship.  Baal was the main agricultural god of Canaan, and this mythological god is seen with different names throughout this whole region in ancient history.  Baal is the god who rides on storms and brings rain and fertility to Mother Earth (represented by the goddess, Asherah).  The Canaanites used male and female prostitution as a means to excite Baal to water the earth. Note: the picture of the watering and the seed producing fruit is a sexual picture. 

This is what the Israelites began to participate in.  They separated Yahweh (Israel's God) into the category of being the God of the Wilderness who rescued them from Egypt.  Now, in the Promised Land, they turn to Baal, the agricultural god to take care of mundane issues like crops and rain. They do not stop worshiping Yahweh, they just add in worshiping Baal, also.  We will see the struggle with this unfaithfulness to God all the way until the nation of Israel gets taken into Exile in Babylon.

The Lord tells Moses to execute the ringleaders who are doing this.  Everyone is weeping, and then another rebellious man brings a Midianite woman into the camp to have sex. A priest named Phineas thrusts a sword through both the man and the woman while they are copulating.  This act stops a plague that has begun and has killed 24,000 Israelites.  God commands Moses to attack the Midianites and destroy them for deceiving the Israelites into idol worship through the influence of this Midianite woman.

Wow.  Dramatic.  What is the lesson? God considers death preferable to idolatry.  He goes to extreme measures to stop the cancer of unfaithfulness to the One True God and use this immediate judgment to prevent the spread of idolatry in the community.  Allowing this adultery in His sacred relationship with His people is to allow their eternal damnation.  This story is a picture of a truth.  That spiritual truth is that if you worship an idol, rather than God, it will lead to your eternal separation from God.  This would be considered a second death.  These measures are an act of mercy on God's part.  Do you have idolatry that has crept into your heart?  Do you know that God is jealous and zealous for your soul?  He is not interested in sharing you with false gods or false belief systems.  No one, except Christ, is to be the lover of your soul.

Luke 2:1-35

Dr. Luke is a good historian.  He lets us know about Caesar Augustus and the census designed to help the Roman Empire collect taxes that will help fund their army and keep the Empire in line.  This Caesar's real name is Octavianus.  He is the son of Julius Caesar. In today's story, he has attempted to deify himself in the known world and become a religious and political icon, but God is using Caesar's census to fulfill a prophecy (Micah 5:2) about the real King of kings.

Luke's writings in chapter 2 have become iconic for all who love the Christmas story.  We see two poor travelers staying in a barn, a baby born to a young woman and swaddled in cloth lying in a manger, angels proclaiming His birth to shepherds, and these simple men being the only visitors the Lord will have at His birth.  It is a human story.  Dr. Luke is showing us that this baby is human and will grow up to be a Perfect Man.

Following Jewish custom of circumcision (remember Abraham), Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day.  Next, Mary follows the Laws of Moses given in the book of Leviticus and presents an offering for atonement that represents Mary's need for cleansing from her sins.  Because they are poor, she offers two turtle doves.  Please note that no sacrifice was given for the baby.  Normally, one would sacrifice for the sins of the child, but this was not done in Jesus' case.

While they are at the temple, a godly man named Simeon has been led by God to the Temple.  He sees the baby, takes Him, and says,

"Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel."

Wow.  This is the first public profession of faith in Christ as the Savior.  Simeon has given the Gospel message to the world.  Let go over what Simeon says:

• Jesus is the Savior.
• He has come for all people.
• He is a light to reveal God to every nation.
• He is the glory (and fulfillment of prophecy) of the nation of Israel.

That just about sums it up, folks.  Old Simeon knew what he was talking about. : )

Do you ever give out this message to people?  You don't have to hand out religious tracks to help people come to know their Creator.  Just be faithful in the small things, and be sure to give credit where credit is due.  Let truth be your companion at all times.

Psalm 59:1-17

Another song of trouble.  But here is a verse I like...vs. 16, "But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love."

That is certainly reason to sing and shout.

Proverbs 11:14

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety. 

Wow.  This sure is relavent to our day with all that is going on in our nation.  On a personal note, be sure to consult godly counsel before major life decisions.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011