Parashat Balaq

Balaq means "devastator", which gives us a clue as to who he represents allegorically. But Tzippor means "sparrow", and now he is finding out that there is someone bigger than he.

The man Moav (the son of Lot, Avraham's nephew) had been dead for many years, but his descendants acted on his behalf; we too can repent for the deeds of our ancestors, and they will be counted as having repented.

Midyan: the son of Avraham and his later wife Q'turah after Sarah’s death. His name means “quarrelsome”. We read of other “devastators” who are fearful in Yaaqov (James) 2:19—demons. If they can tear apart our unity, they know we are beaten, because we are no longer too numerous for them. What they fear is all Israel in unity. So they enlist the help of the “quarrelsome” (troublemakers who love to argue and will cause contention). They fool themselves into thinking they are right. An ox surrounds the grass with its long, rough tongue, pulls it into its mouth, and bites it off. Here, the Israel that is mighty is likened to an ox. In Deut. 22:10, we are instructed not to yoke an ox and a donkey together for plowing. In Hoshea 8:9, Efrayim while in his rebellious state is compared to a donkey. So the Israel of YHWH and any in Efrayim who still refuse the Torah as a strange thing are an unequal yoke (see 2 Cor. 6:14, where unbelievers and lawless are shown to be synonymous). We can teach them, but we cannot let our hearts be bound to them.

Bilaam means or "wears down the people" or "failure of the people". He indeed would instigate this. If Balaq knows who this nation is, he twists the truth to cast them as rogue Egyptians (Chamites) instead of escapees from Egypt, so he can persuade other Semites to help him defeat them.

This was all based on the false premise that Israel intended to conquer everyone around them. Actually, YHWH had no intention of having Israel threaten Moav, as He had deeded their land to them because of their ancestor Lot’s relationship to Avraham. (Deut. 2:9) So Balaq acted out of an unrealistic fear.

8. But he said, "Spend the night here tonight, and I will return and tell you whatever YHWH may say to me." So the leaders of Moav stayed with Bilaam.

I.e., “I’ll pray about it.” Stayed: literally, sat, which is often an idiom for study. He made them his students so they would feel indebted to him no matter what he did. Another son of Be’or referred to in Gen. 36:31 was a king of the land of Edom, descendants of Esau, which is why Bilaam knows YHWH. He preserved a remnant of his unspiritual ancestor’s knowledge. “Whomever you bless is blessed” (v. 6) hearkens back to YHWH’s promise to Avraham in Gen. 12:3, giving additional evidence that he is a descendant of Avraham as well, though not connected with Israel. Though Edomite royalty, he appears to live elsewhere, possible because most of his countrymen had turned to idolatry. But these kings still know that to gain an Edomite’s attention, they need to bring physical gain. (v. 7) Edom had already refused the simplest hospitality to Israel, though the latter had identified itself as Edom’s brother. In Jewish tradition, the scepter of Edom passed to Rome, and from there to the Church as the Empire crumbled. So today Edom represents Christians, who are brothers to Israel yet have a problematic relationship since they have sold their birthright (the Torah), being men of the field (which Y’shua says represents the world). Such people are seen as useful to the devastator and the quarrelsome.

He says he will ask YHWH (the one who is All in all, being whatever He needs to be as our provider, but he is answered by Elohim--the aspect of YHWH that emphasizes His being a judge. But He asks a question to allow Bilaam to judge for himself whether he should really be keeping company with such people.

He answersd, showing that he does not recognize that YHWH is asking a rhetorical question, being blinded by the money. He thinks a man so important should obviously warrant attention.

12. But Elohim told Bilaam, "You are not to go with them nor curse the people, because it is blessed."

13. So Bilaam got up in the morning and told Balaq's leaders, "Go [back] to your land, because YHWH has refused to permit me to go with you."

Permit: or "employ/appoint/designate".

15. So again Balaq added more and sent leaders more important than they,

More important: or honorable; literally, "heavier".

Anything: even YHWH. He is obsessed with removing an apparent threat rather than finding out why Israel is blessed and how he could learn from them.

He uses the oldest trick in the book—flattery. Compare this with the temptation of Y'shua in Mat. 4:8ff throughout this passage (especially v. 41).

So many feel lured by money yet restrained by YHWH, rather than seeing His choice as always a blessing.

He is trying to find a loophole, because he wants the wages, though he does not have any wish to curse Israel. He is truly a man of YHWH, but Mammon is his weakness (2 Peter 2:15) --a great example of why Y'shua told us to pray to not be led into temptation.

Nothing more than: a very strong term meaning "strictly indeed". YHWH gives him the liberty to go, but it is clear that this is not his wish. Paul reiterates that while we have liberty, not all things are profitable (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23), especially if they enslave us (see v, 32), and we have to pay the price for our choices.

The Hebrew word for a female donkey (used here) is based on the word for “faithful” or “reliable”—something lasting and perennial. Thus she is a picture of the word of YHWH (Yeshayahu 40:8), which lasts forever, and more particularly the Torah. (Mat. 5:18)

Resist: or act as an adversary, the verb form of "Satan", for he was allying himself with YHWH’s enemy. If he gave Bilaam permission to go, why is He upset? Because He wanted to teach him to listen to His first answer. YHWH allows us to do anything we want (1 Cor. 6:12), but not everything is worthwhile and many things we do bring us under their power—exactly what took place with Bilaam. Paul goes on to say that while “all things are lawful, not all things edify”. (1 Cor. 10:23) I.e., they do not build the House (a dwelling place for YHWH). He was actually doing the bidding of people who wanted to destroy YHWH’s people, among whom He dwelt. This "angel" is the preincarnate Y'shua, who is always the enemy of our "flesh" when we try to serve two masters. Even if we love YHWH and hate Mammon, Mammon still drains our energy if we serve it.

Turn: or influence. He was like many of “Edom” who try to get YHWH’s word to prove they can go against His will. The donkey (the Torah) tried to save his life by keeping him from being opposed to Y’shua, but he did not see Y’shua, so he tried to diminish the Torah. The Torah will not take us where Y’shua does not want us to go, but if we have a Greek concept of what “Jesus” is like, we will not recognize the true Y’shua when we see him, and we will not expect the Torah to be in agreement with Y’shua. But it is, and He is in agreement with it, for He embodies it.

Israel is likened to a vineyard. (Yeshayahu 5)

26. But the Messenger of YHWH went on ahead [of him] again and stood in a tight spot where there was no way to turn to the right or the left.

A tight spot—the meaning of the Hebrew name of Egypt (Mitzrayim), where YHWH took Israel to hear His voice. Bilaam could not simply go where he wanted; he had to listen. But he could not

A staff represents authority. The Church’s pope (the royalty of Edom) was the one who tried to change the Sabbath to Sunday (compare Daniel 7:25) simply to prove he had the authority to do so.

Opened the donkey's mouth: perhaps restoring her to the condition all the animals were in before Adam's fall? When the Torah came alive to us again, it shocked many who thought it no longer held a message for us. Hit me: or chastised, punished, attacked, subjugated, or brought judgment. Three times: or "three paces"; literally, "feet". The very same phrase is used to describe the three occasions during the year when all able-bodied men are to come up to Yerushalayim for a feast to YHWH. (Ex. 23:14) He would not respect YHWH’s “feet”, so YHWH hurt his foot. Since the Torah allowed him to follow his will just far enough to hurt himself, the Church has “struck” these festivals from its calendar.

Made a fool of me: the two men would only see the donkey wandering off and Bilaam beating her. He seems to have been so set on his journey and his reputation that he hardly noticed that his donkey was speaking! As a seer he is used to hearing voices, but YHWH here shows him that He is indeed able to restrict what Bilaam says. (See v. 18) He had his own agenda, barely permitted by YHWH's "grace", but the donkey paused at the three "stations" that YHWH had ordained, and he was upset by it, for he had no power to obliterate what kept him from doing things the way he wanted to do them.

31. Then YHWH uncovered Bilaam's eyes, and he noticed YHWH's Messenger, who had taken his stand on the path, with his sword in his hand, and he bowed his head and fell on his face.

Now YHWH acts as YHWH, and not just Elohim, and this brings full understanding. Uncovered: or revealed; literally, "made Bilaam's eyes round" or "complete"--i.e., seeing into otehr dimensions as well. David asks YHWH to do the same: "Uncover my eyes, that I may give consideration to extraodinary things from Your instruction." (Psalm 119:118) Paul said this would happen to all of Israel after Efrayim (the Fullness of the Gentiles, Gen. 48:19; Rom. 11:10, 25)--first to learn who Y'shua truly is (as Bilaam first recognized him here), then to teach people that YHWH is the One who has allowed us to see.

Reckless: or rash; literally, careening headlong out of control on a slippery slope. Bilaam was beginning to be guided by offers of rewards rather than the principles he had lived by hitherto. (vv. 18, 19) Alt., "contrary to me", since His ways are not our ways. (Yeshayahu 55:9) In comparison to Me: "in front of Me" or "corresponding to Me"--the term for the counterpart Chavvah was to Adam; Bilaam was doing a poor job of being such a counterpart to YHWH's Messenger. Let us learn from Bilaam's errors. (Micha 6:5; 2 Kefa/ Peter 2:15; Yehudah/Jude 11; Rev. 2:14) As we do, Y’shua will open the eyes of many in the Edomite Church, showing them that He opposes its chosen path—the way that seems right but leads to death.

Bowed to Me: inclined, bent down, or "went out of her way for Me"--the same term for "turned off" in v. 23. Left her alive: YHWH’s Word stands forever; you are replaceable if you do not go where it takes you. He would have destroyed the Body of Messiah already had there not been a remnant who did keep Torah.

Gone off track: as the Church has opposed Y’shua while thinking it was following Him, because they did not realize that He was really allied with the Torah.

Since he had come this far, YHWH would go ahead and use him to bring the opposite effect on Israel than Balaq wanted. Not say a word more: literally, "stop with the word that I speak"--make that your final word on the matter.

37. And Balaq said to Bilaam, "Didn't I send urgently to summon you? Why didn't you come to me? Couldn't I indeed promote you to great importance?"

38. But Bilaam told Balaq, "Here, I have come to you. But am I indeed able to promise anything at all? The word that YHWH puts in my mouth [is what] I will pronounce."

39. Then Bilaam went with Balaq, and they came to Qiryath-Chutzoth ["a city of open spaces"],

40. and Balaq slaughtered oxen and sheep, and sent [some] to Bilaam and the leaders who were with him.

41. Then in the morning, Balaq fetched Bilaam and brought him up to the cultic platforms of Ba'al, and from there he saw the extremity of the people.

He thought Bilaam might see from his point of view if he took him to his own worship-site and explained why it was important to his religion to oppose Israel, but this was a place dedicated to the one YHWH hated most. Extremity: or edge, perhaps meaning that he could see all the way to the far side of the camp of Israel; but the term comes from a word for "cut off", so perhaps he only saw those who were going to be cut off due to the suggestion he was going to make to Balaq. Compare the "very high mountain" from which Y'shua was offered the temptation to power with which Bilaam was now struggling.

CHAPTER 23

This place: the cultic platforms of Ba’al (22:41)—pagan worship sites, to which “the devastator” had fetched (snatched away, captured) this member of Edom’s royalty, whose scepter, as we have seen, is traditionally seen as having passed to Rome and thereby to the Church. The Church has indeed been co-opted by pagans into seeing Israel from the enemy’s point of view, and has been a participant in slandering Israel’s most obvious contingent, the Jews. But why should people who claim to worship Israel’s Elohim curse Israel? Seven bulls and seven rams: a pattern established by YHWH earlier, in Iyov/Job’s day (Iyov 42:8-10) and seen commonly later in Israel. (1 Chron. 15:26; 2 Chron. 29:21) Seven is an important number in Scripture, representing completion, as exemplified by the seventh-day Sabbath. So this was the right number of animals to bring to YHWH. But there is a flaw in Bilaam’s approach. Rome (Edom) is built one seven hills—the enemy’s substitute for the one hill on which YHWH chose to establish His one altar. (Deut. 12:2-15) How sly! Seven is the “perfect number”. But it is the wrong place. The same passage says YHWH would not accept worship at pagan sites like this one or in the ways that pagans worshipped Him, and that is the history of Christianity, especially after Constantine. The “way that seems right” to a Greco-Roman mindset is almost always in opposition to the Hebraic patterns YHWH originally taught us.

This may mean one on each of the seven altars (and was taken as such by the LXX and some Aramaic targums), but the actual text only says that seven of each are prepared but only one of each is used. YHWH has chosen the Sabbath as a picture of Y'shua's Kingdom. Any might be chosen, so all had to be ready. Throughout every "day" in history, we have been called to live as closely to the Kingdom principles as we can and be ready in case Y'shua should return, but as the seventh millennium comes upon us, we know this must be the Day (see Psalm 90:4), so there is no excuse for slackness, and will be judged even more strictly.

Barren height: a solitary place, away from the “devastator”, where he could hear from YHWH more clearly. There were also no pagan groves there like at the cultic platforms of Ba’al.

Elohim came to meet: Aram., "the word from Elohim was directed toward..." (throughout the passage).

He was not granted a prophecy until he brought his offering.

7. So he took up his proverbial saying, and said, "From Aram, Balaq [the] king of Moav has had me brought out--from the mountains of the east: ‘Come, put a curse on Yaaqov for me!' and ‘Come, denounce Israel!'

Aram: son of Shem, and ancestor of Yaaqov's father-in-law Lavan. This appears to be where Bilaam was now living. No one mentioned Yaaqov before this; YHWH is now revealing who they are really up against. These are not Egyptians after all! Denounce: or defy, rage against.

Hirsch: "How can I make a hole where El has not punctured?" Denounce: or "affect with wrath".

Hirsch interprets the first sentence as "From a high point of view I saw it near; from a lower one it was still far off." Separately: alone, in isolation, divided out and withdrawn from among everything else, yet together as one group. This is the same way which Levi was not to be counted among the tribes of Israel, though he was one of them; he had a holy task to which he was called to "isolate" himself. If there is a conflict of interest, we are not a "member" of anything but Israel. Not be considered: or "not reckon itself"; the Sabbath liturgy indeed thanks YHWH for not emplacing us like the other nations. The word for “considered” also stems from a root meaning "to weave, braid, or interpenetrate", so Israel is not one of the threads in the world's fabric, but is a different entity altogether, even if there seems to be overlap at times. This is actually the beginning of Bilaam’s blessing on Israel, and is precisely the reason Israel’s enemies have cursed her throughout the centuries: we do not think of ourselves as part of the world. Indeed, the reason we were exiled was because we wanted to be like the other nations. The Greeks and Romans exchanged gods with whomever they conquered, but cannot tolerate the “arrogance” of a nation that acknowledges only one Elohim. The “catholic” (all-encompassing) mindset adopted within Christianity could not be satisfied with YHWH being one, and had to invent the doctrine of the trinity in order to facilitate its way of thinking, which stemmed from having many deities but all under the auspices of the name Ba’al (e.g., Ba’al-Peor, as related to v. 28). Though it will mean persecution (Yochanan 15:19, et al.), we should count it a blessing that we are a set-apart people, for having to worry about what is outside would only distract us from the specific responsibilities YHWH has given us. We are also under no obligation to either Christianity’s or global society’s expectations, for we have our orders from a higher authority. Those who are set apart automatically mark the rest as common or ordinary. If we were all the same, as the world wants us to be, nothing at all would be sacred; by analogy, saying that every day is equally holy (so that the Sabbath can be celebrated on a day of one’s own choosing) means that in reality nothing is holy.

Dust: an idiom for numerous descendants. (Gen. 13:16) A quarter: one of the four camps, one of which Yehudah was the leader of. This may have been the “extremity of the people” which was all he could see in 22:41. But who indeed can count them? Even the more-recognizable Jews often hide their identity, though some of them have done the best at returning to the calling of not considering themselves like other nations; the rest of the tribes have become so lost among the nations (to all but YHWH) that no one else knows who they are. But they are still there and are already beginning to be recalled to the covenant. Hirsch translates "a fourth" as "purely physical animal-like births". The upright ones: a special Hebrew nickname for Israel. What was Yaaqov’s final end like? Genesis 49 describes it in detail. He had his entire family around him. He had laid out the path for his heritage and given them prophecies that would empower them to live in unity. He knew he had fulfilled his calling, and that his work was done. His body was then “planted” in the Land of Israel to await the resurrection. But Bilaam’s final end would not be like Yaaqov’s, for he made further wrong decisions. (2 Kefa 2:15; Rev. 2:14; Y’hoshua 13:22)

Fetched: or selected.

13. So Balaq said to him, "Please come with me to another place from which you will see it. You'll [only] see the tail end of it; you won't see them all! Curse it for me from there!"

It: i.e., the nation of Israel. Literally, "him", referring to the entity of Yaaqov as his descendants. He seems to assume that Bilaam's curse would only alight on those he could see.

Watchmen's Field: Aram.,"lookout point". Cleft: or "pass"--perhaps the Arnon Canyon.(cf. Ch. 21) The term (pisgah) can also mean "summit". This is sometimes an alternate name for Mt. Nevo (pictured here). LXX: "quarry".

16. And YHWH came to meet Bilaam, and He put a word in Bilaam's mouth and told him, "Return to Balaq, and you shall make such and such a pronouncement."

This time it does not say Elohim came, for His ruling as a judge had already been made.

18. So he took up his proverbial saying, and said, "Arise, O Balaq; listen [and obey]! Give ear as far as me, O [one whom] Tzippor [calls] his son!

19. "El is not a man, that He should let [His word] fail, nor the son of humanity, that He should accommodate Himself [to anyone]. Has He spoken, and will He not follow through, or has He promised, and will He not put it into effect?

Let His word fail: disappoint, prove to be in vain or deceitful; LXX, "waver"; Hirsch, "twist". Accommodate Himself: give in to the wishes of someone with money rather than maintaining His standards; LXX, "be threatened"; Hirsch, "change His mind", i.e., regret (what He has said). Put it into effect: establish, make good on His word. Son of humanity: Ben Adam, the same name Y'shua so often used of himself, so we can deduce based on this Torah prophecy that one common doctrine about the nature of Y'shua is false.

21. "He has not taken into consideration [any] crookedness in Yaaqov, nor has He perceived Israel as worn out. YHWH his Elohim is with him; the [victorious] battle-cry of a king is in him.

Not taken into consideration: Aramaic, carefully scrutinized and not found. Crookedness: Hirsch, "misuse of power". Perceived Israel as worn out: or, seen any trouble in Israel. Yet He has just brought judgment after judgment! But even if one had to beat his family into subjection, he would come to their defense without hesitation in the face of any outside threat, especially from the "accuser of the brethren". As He says through Paul, "Who can bring any charge against YHWH's chosen?" (Rom. 8:33) The key is the final phrase: The word for "battle-cry" is the same term used for the trumpet blast on Yom T'ruah (Rosh haShanah), when the king, Y’shua, who makes it possible for us to be righteous, will return. (Aram., sh'kinah of their king.) This is what makes the difference. I Yochanan warns us to never say we are without sin, yet invites us to enjoy the full rights of our calling as Sons of Elohim. (See also Heb. 4:16) Alt., "He has not shown regard for exerting oneself in vain within Yaaqov." YHWH does not take the attitude that there is no longer anything He can do with them. They are disciplined, but not forsaken. In fact, after so many years of correction, they are finally getting to the place where they are useful to Him.

He is ready to fight to protect them.

Enchanting: casting a spell; literally, whispering, for this in itself casts an air of mystery and suspicion, even where it is groundless. Prov. 26:2 tells us that "a curse without a cause will not alight"--if we have the doors closed to it, as Y'shua did. (Yochanan 14:30) No matter how much Balaq pleads, YHWH will not favor another nation over Israel, except temporarily, to bring Israel correction. Alt., There is no divination in Yaaqov-- because in the true Yaaqov, in which YHWH sees nothing amiss, no perversity can exist. Indeed, if anyone is found practicing divination within Israel, it is punishable by death. (Micha 5:12) So why have people been so emphatic about the Messiah being “divine”? This is a Greek concept; He is a Hebrew, and not so easily defined. We only want Him to be so that we can control Him more easily. As always: or "according to the proper season", "as usual", or "as in eternity". What El has accomplished: This quote was chosen by Samuel Morse to be the first message sent by telegraph. Hirsch interprets the first sentence in light of the second as meaning there is no need for omens or magic, since YHWH would inform them of whatever they needed to know.

A people: Hirsch, "as a social union", Israel does not need all these means of foretelling the future, for as long as it fulfills its duty, it will be dauntless. He reiterates Yaaqov’s blessings on his individual children in order to bless all of Israel corporately. Roaring lion: Hirsch, "leopard".

26. But Bilaam responded and told Balaq, "Didn't I tell you, ‘Anything that YHWH says, I must put into effect?'"

Once the facts are known, one cannot maintain a neutral stance or an “open mind”.

All right: literally, "upright" or "straight", "lawful" or "approved". The gods: Balaq uses the (always-plural) term with the article, as undoubtedly he still has little concept of the uniqueness of YHWH.

Gap: Heb., Pe’or, one of the places Ba’al was said to be lord over. (25:3) So while Balaq no longer tries to tempt Bilaam with the equivalent of the Roman Catholic Church, he tries to get him to align with one of her “Protestant” daughters who seem more innocuous. But this place still worships Ba’al, so it is no better. YHWH’s covenant, even as renewed through Y’shua, is only with the two houses of Israel. (Yirmeyahu 31:31) Why not just align with the one YHWH has already blessed? Looks down over: LXX, "extends to".

30. So Balaq did just as Bilaam said, and [offered] up a bull and a ram on [each] altar.

Balaq is “spitting into the wind”, but still insists on paying more in order to bribe YHWH. He is even burning the symbol of Ba’al (the bull). Whether YHWH is patient with him or simply amused, he will not get what he wants.

CHAPTER 24

Appropriate in the eyes: Bilaam’s struggle regarding whether to serve YHWH or Mammon (wealth) sets the context for understanding Y’shua’s use of the related Hebrew idiom “a sound eye” in Mat. 6:22-34. Mammon is not simply money, but anything we treasure to the extent that it becomes a rival to YHWH for our affections. Y’shua says that it is Gentiles who seek these things, and seeking them ourselves puts us in the position where we are tempted to compromise. Instead, Y’shua says to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. What we seek is what we will serve. Yaaqov defines righteousness as the proper combination of faith and works (Yaaqov/James 2:20), and says it is our desires that make us seek other treasures first and thus battle against our doing what blesses Israel. (4:1) A key to what it means to seek first the Kingdom is that although its fullness is yet to come, it will not arrive unless we are basing all our choices now on what will move it closer. (2 Kefa/Peter 3:11-12) We cannot wait to seek it first when it arrives, for by that time it will be our judge. What energizes Mammon is our fears about the future, when in fact tomorrow never comes. There is never a time when we can say, “Now it is tomorrow.” There is only another “today”, and today is always meant for seeking the Kingdom. (Compare Heb. 3:13.) Foraking the things the Gentiles seek does not mean casting it to the dogs, unless we cannot find in it a way of serving YHWH (and the better we know Torah, the better we will be able to find what He wants to teach us in the “mundane”). It means leaving “tomorrow” in YHWH’s hands and not putting off the things that the Kingdom needs now just because it will take away our “security” for tomorrow. Idiomatically, “a sound eye” refers to generosity. This verse thus defines seeking the Kingdom as being generous to Israel with anything that we treasure, since that is what YHWH Himself does. Once we give something to YHWH, we need to keep our hands off it. Is it not better provided for in His hands anyway—where “moth and rust” cannot affect it? Then the whole body—all of Israel encamped together—will be full of light, for “laying up treasures in heaven” means investing our resources now in the Kingdom that will come back to earth with the interest they have earned, during the Sabbath millennium when we will not be able to provide for it. The provision for it must be made now. Investing in selfish pursuits (or simply things useless to the Kingdom) now takes away the resources meant to be stored up for that “retirement”. If we seek “our own lives” (a secure “future” for ourselves), Y’shua says we will lose them.

Lifted up his eyes: often an idiom for seeing prophetically into the latter days, when indeed it appears there will be a camp of Israel in the same area as the united tribes prepare to retake the Land. (Yeshayahu 16) Residing by its tribes: or "remaining in place for its branches". He foresaw that one day Israel would finally live as brothers, and the final outcome is what is the truth in Elohim's eyes. Hirsch says that seeing the arrangement of the tents by tribes, so that each child knew his father, unlike the Gentiles, is what lifted Bilaam's spirit so high in certainty that Israel was worthy of such a glowing report. Anyone who sees Israel as it is meant to be should be affected likewise.

Revelation: utterance, or the pronouncement or declaration of a prophet in an ecstatic state. Whose eyes are open a crack: generally stopped but barely perforated—just beginning to open after being fully shut.

Fallen: though he stumbled on his way, by listening to Elohim, he ended up with a truer knowledge of what is real. This Edomite prophet represents those who were in the Church but recognized that YHWH’s favor and covenant are still with Israel, and that all of Scripture must be interpreted within that context. Once we hear from El—when the veil is taken from our eyes—we cannot help but make the same admission:

Tents: often an idiom for places of religious instruction. This narrows down Noach's prophecy in Gen. 9:27. Dwelling places: the same Hebrew word used for the Tabernacle, but here it is plural.

Aloes heal, and being beside a river means a constant source of supply. This is what we worry about when we “seek tomorrow first”. But here we see that by inextricably linking our “tomorrow” to Israel’s way of study and life, we will indirectly put ourselves in the place of YHWH’s constant supply, though that will not be our focus. (“All these things will be added unto you.”)

Great waters: Yaaqov's descendants were indeed scattered like seed across all the oceans--a theme picked up by all the prophets, but especially Hoshea. But Hirsch interprets it as Yaaqov's seed being that which is located where the greatest abundance of the water from YHWH's buckets falls when He waters the field. Agag was later a king of Amaleq (see v. 20), and Israel’s first king did not overflow him. But the word agag means "increasing over the top", i.e. the waters will fill this Kingdom to overflowing The term for rising higher is the same used for how the waters of the Deluge bore Noach’s ark up from the earth to clear the mountaintops.

Unicorn: or possibly an extinct wild ox; the context sounds more like a saber-toothed tiger, but gnaw here may also simply mean to break bones, as an ox could; Hirsch has, "render powerless". Oppressor: possibly Moav, who is the aggressor in this context, not Israel; or Agag (Amaleq, the chief of the nations, v. 20). But the typology is the same no matter which it specifically refers to.

Lions: Compare Micha 5:8. The last sentence is the blessing YHWH gave to Avraham and Yaaqov directly. Now at the time when someone is trying to curse their descendants, it is reiterated to make it all the more firm. Yehudah (most often referred to as a lion) is the one who will, through Y’shua and through its preservation of the Torah, be able to raise up all Israel. (Compare Gen. 49:9)

11. "So now, get [back] to your place [in a hurry]! I said I would promote you to great importance, but here, YHWH has denied you the honor!"

Here is an echo of the Adversary in Eden, casting doubt on YHWH's noble intentions. But if we seek honor from the nations, we cannot receive honor from YHWH. (Yaaqov/James 4:4)

Didn't I tell...? This may be a disclaimer so he can claim his reward money anyway.

14. "So now I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you of what this people will do to your people in the latter days."

For a moment, he had his eyes off “tomorrow” and on the reality that only awaits the right time to be fulfilled. He sees this gathered, unified Israel (which is the Kingdom) as already existing, but not yet manifested fully. (v. 17) Once He has seen the final reality, he forsakes all else for it, no longer altering his course of action to pursue wealth. He even becomes bold enough to add insult to injury by letting the king know where his chosen path will take him.

16. "the utterance of one who listens to the sayings of El and has become acquainted with the knowledge of the Highest [One], who has beheld as a seer the vision of Shaddai, fallen but with uncovered eyes:

The second phrase is added to the introduction he gave the former time (v. 4). He is learning more about YHWH’s righteousness, which is the result of truly listening to Him more and more.

Not now: See first note on v. 2. Star: This is the verse based on which Ben Kosiba was called "Bar Kochba"--son of the star, for "march" is a strongly militant term, and this "one who came in his own name" (Yochanan 5:43) appeared more militaristic than Y'shua had, and led many, including the forebears of today's Rabbinic Judaism, astray. Scepter: or rod, branch, or "offshoot"--all common terms for the Messiah. The prophecy in Gen. 49:10 clarifies that it will come through Yehudah, and tying these two verses together connects with the planetary conjunction that took place twice at the time of Y'shua's birth, in which the planets representing a virgin and righteousness came together in the foot of the constellation of the Lion (see v. 9) near the star Regulus (which means "ruler"--all imagery in Yaaqov's Gen. 49 picture story. Having his eyes open, he sees “tomorrow” today, and what that “tomorrow” constitutes is Messiah overcoming the enemies of Israel. As an Edomite (read Christian), what Bilaam had been about was seeking YHWH for the sake of what was in it for himself. When he glimpsed the end, he saw Y’shua as He really is—the king of Israel. Edges: the same Hebrew word for the corners of the head and beard which are not to be cut (Lev. 19:27; 21:5); in other words, YHWH would remove the authority or eldership of Moav and give it to Israel. Sheth means "crashing to destruction/ruin" or “tumult".

Accomplish it capably: or "do valiantly", "do mightily", "with efficiency".

20. Then he noticed Amaleq, and took up his proverbial saying, and said, "Amaleq is chief of the Gentiles, but his final end will be to perish."

Gentiles; or simply, "nations". He may be the oppressor mentioned in verse 8 that drives a plurality of nations. To perish: or "eternal destruction", or "unto destruction", reminding us of Y'shua's words that "the first shall be last", and "the broad way leads to destruction". YHWH indeed specifically targeted Amaleq for annihilation as His eternal enemy because of how they treated His people. (Exodus 17:14-16)

Nest: a word play, since the term is "qiyn", similar to "Qeynite".

This was indeed the practice of the Assyrians--to resettle those they conquered rather than destroying them, causing them to lose their sense of being a people tied to a particular place, and thus easier to enslave or convert to their ways of thinking. They did this to part of Israel later, though at the time of this prophecy, it was a minor power militarily.

24. "Ships will even be dispatched from alongside Kittim, and they will weaken Assyria and weaken Ever, but it too will come to destruction.

Kittim: a Yavanite (Greek) nation, as per Gen. 10:4; based on Daniel 11:30, Targum Onqelos interprets it as being Rome (Romulus), which is connected with Armilus, a code-name for the Counterfeit Messiah of the last days. Ever: the ancestor of the Hebrews, or simply "one who crosses over", perhaps an allusion to some event of that time. It too: probably Kittim.

Arose: the same term used in Hebrew of resurrection. Left: literally walked, an idiom for following YHWH’s instructions in our daily life. Returned: or, repented. His place: Though the man Bilaam did not ultimately repent, this is a prophecy that those he represents—some from the Church who do seek YHWH—will return to recognizing who they really are: Israel! This may be the “remnant of Edom” spoken of by Amos. Went on his way: or, walked his own road. (Compare Rev. 22:11.)

CHAPTER 25

Be polluted: profaned, letting what was holy become common, both in the physical sense of letting their sexuality be spread among many instead of concentrated toward their spouses, and also by spiritual unfaithfulness to YHWH (see v. 3). Exodus tells us that the Ark of the Covenant, its poles, the Table of the Bread of the Faces, the planks of which the Tabernacle frame was built, the bronze altar, and the incense altar were all made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. But acacia trees do not provide large, straight planks. These had to be assembled of many of the small pieces of wood that could be cut from them,as a picture of the fact that Israel, YHWH’s bride, is made up of many individuals. Alone, the acacia sticks were useless except as firewood. Being among a grove of acacias, Israel should have been thinking of this analogy. But they chose to “sit as [individual] sticks”—another way of translating “tarried among the acacias”. Isolated and fragmented, they were an easy target for temptation.

Ate: not just a common everyday act, but particularly an expression of fellowship with these pagan deities. This “barbecue party” to which they were invited by beautiful women became a trap, because they had dedicated the meat to their elohim, and by eating of it, Israel was paying homage to it. Paul tells us that those who eat of the sacrifices are partakers of the altar, and we cannot simultaneously drinking YHWH’s cup and the cup of demons. (1 Cor. 10) It is not possible to "just go" to pagan feasts like Christmas and Easter without participating in the idolatry (v. 3). We can eat others’ “food” in other ways, too—by partaking of their opinions, being influenced by their ideas, etc. The more we learn what it means to be holy, the more of “the world” we are called to be set apart from. The way Paul gives us to flee from idolatry is to seek our neighbors’ well-being—i.e., eating with one’s own people instead of with those with whom we have nothing in common. Join together with other “acacia sticks” and become something useful to YHWH and worthy of being overlaid with His gold.

Ba'al-Peor: "Lord" or "husband of the gap", the local manifestation of Ba’al worshipped with licentious rituals. "Gap" or "opening" denotes a connection with the underworld, for they were making sacrifices to the dead. (Psalm 106:28) Israel had left Egypt, whose preoccupation was with death, whereas the Torah is about life. (Deut. 30:19; 32:47) Images of “Jesus” focus on His death, and He is sold to the masses as a means to prepare for death. But His resurrection is what makes Him unique. Certainly He has the keys to the underworld, but that does not mean He wants us to come there. He came to bring life more abundant! Being so concerned about personal salvation from death often leaves the life (the national salvation of Israel and the work of the Kingdom that is to come on earth) undone. Joined: attached or bound--a clear continuation of the idea of prostituting themselves, as Paul explains (1 Cor. 6:15-16): by simply partaking of food dedicated to it, they became both part of and obligated to this foreign deity, and thus were no longer fulfilling their duty to YHWH, their true "husband". (Yaaqov/James 4:13ff) By fastening themselves to another type of “wood”, they became unfit for His altar. YHWH's anger: This was His wife; He was jealous! It is His words that we are to “bind” on our hands as reminders, much like the wedding “band” of today.

Heads: or chief rulers. Hang them up: any form of slow execution, such as impalement; v. 8 suggests this. Possibly it was for not doing their jobs. In the sun: to open, public view (as examples, LXX), or toward the east, toward which the sanctuary faced. Take: may mean gather the leaders, and then determine who is to be hung. (Aramaic interpretation)

Rev. 2:14 tells us that Bilaam was the one who instigated this sin by, assumedly, telling Balaq that he could not defeat Israel by war, but he could waylay them by playing on their weakness in other ways. Yehoshua 13:22 reveals that Bilaam was killed along with the Moavites when Israel fought them, so he must have finally been swayed to ally himself with Balaq after all.

Midyan means "strife" or “contending”. The contentious woman here, like Yezevel, was no common prostitute. She was from an important family (v. 15). This is the kind of woman who often disrupts the order YHWH has set up for Israel. Brought near: the same terminology used for an offering to YHWH. The Moavite “dinner party” had taught him that by participating in a sexual act in the presence of an Elohim would honor Him. Weeping bitterly: mourning because people were dying, not because of their sins.

This young priest was next in line to be the high priest. His name comes from a root word meaning “to urge on” or “pressure”. Rose from amid: he was declaring that he was not among this crowd. The sight of what was going wrong elevated him and urged him on to pressure Israel into doing what was right.

Shrine: the same term used in Arabic for the domed structures on the Temple Mount today; possibly a similarly-shaped round or vaulted tent, but it suggests that either the man took the woman into the sanctuary itself to engage in a pagan-style sexual fertility ritual, or that a shrine to Ba'al-Peor had been erected within the area designated for the Tabernacle, to which no one but Levites were to enter except when bringing their offerings to YHWH. Genitalia: that which was being "worshipped" in lieu of YHWH. LXX: "womb". The word is also very similar to the word for "shrine" above, and appears to stem from the word for a curse. Since the judges appear not to have obeyed Moshe and impaled the sinners, possibly thinking the plague would just “blow over”, Pin'has does impale them. Indeed, now the Israelite and the pagan were definitely attached to one another! The others may have made the right judgment, but they did not carry out the sentence. The action is what completes the justice. Someone had to stand up and do what needed to be done, rather than just whining about it. He stood in the “gap” that Ba’al-Peor’s name suggests. As Aharon had exemplified on numerous occasions, it was the high priest’s role to intercede when a plague of judgment comes on the people. But all of Israel is called a “kingdom of priests”, so we must not just leave it to Y’shua to do all the dirty work.