Men of Renown
Part ix
Balaam
  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
  This series called Men of Renown will begin with these verses in Chapter 6 of the book of Genesis because it is the perfect scene setter for whatever and whoever follows that enables men of renown to act in conflict against God and His Word. Genesis 6 verses 4 and 5 are an accurate definition of men of renown.
  The phrase ‘men of renown’ occurs in the Bible only two times. The second and last mention can be found in the 4th book of the Pentateuch in the book of Numbers, Chapter 16. This last mention of ‘men of renown’ goes beyond the definition of men of renown and expands what ‘men of renown’ are not only capable of, but what lurks in the inner most recesses of their thoughts.
  Although most readers will probably not begin with Men of Renown Part i, ii, iii, iv and v, I suggest that to get more from this particular article, Part ix,, you should first read Balaam Part vi, and maybe vii, and viii. But that’s just my opinion. . . .
  Balaam is introduced into Scripture in the book of Numbers through Chapters 22, 23, and 24. This trilogy is based on three basic Biblical principles: God is Sovereign, God acts supernaturally, and God manifests His power over the affairs of mankind. Keep these three principles in mind as you read these three Chapters: God is Sovereign, God is Supernatural, and the Powerful Strength of God in and over the physical realm of mankind.
Balaam
and the spirit of God came upon him
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. (Numbers 24:1)
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2)
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:Â (Numbers 24:3)
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:Â (Numbers 24:4)
  Do not confuse this phrase, and the spirit of God came upon him, with ‘salvation and redemption.’ Note: who, when, and why? Question, compare, reason, discern and resolve . . . the words of Holy Spirit of God will lead to a godly acceptable conclusion. Let us see the difference between the spirit of God and the Spirit of God.
  It is almost inconceivable to many church goers that God uses evil ‘men of renown’ to press forward His program.
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17)
  It is totally implausible for those outside of ANY moral teaching that there is a God, never mind that God could put His words into the mouth of a godless pagan prophet and priest. BUT . . . yet, God first showed us in Numbers Chapter 22, verses 21 – 33 that even an ass will speak with the voice of a man when God wills it. Thus, God prepared the way for us to understand that His power is without limitations. God not only has power over His animal creation (the ass), but He has power over His creation of mankind. For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt. (Job 11:12) I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. (Ecclesiastes 3:18)
Side Note:Â Balaam represents the prophet and priest who will appear in the age of the church in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. (If you are coming into this series at this point, I think it would serve you well to read the previous article . . . here is your link already set up for you . . . CLICK HERE.Â
  Did anyone notice the words — the spirit of God? The word ‘spirit‘ has a lowercase ‘s.’ This can’t possibly be important! EVERYTHING in the Word of God comes from the mouth of God, and this makes every word important! This phrase the spirit of God is recorded in four verses in the Old Testament and is not recorded in the New Testament. However, THIS phrase the Spirit of God is recorded ten times in the Old Testament and twelve times in the New Testament. WHAT! What is the difference? There is a huge difference between the spirit of God and the Spirit of God. There is a defining factor in upper and lowercase, and God through His Spirit (the Spirit of God) reveals His power even through the mechanics of grammar. Yes, even basic simple grammar can reveal the temporal realm and the spiritual realm through either an s or an S. When the Lord spoke about one jot or one tittle not passing away from His word, the tittle was the smallest mark in the Hebrew language. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18) So don’t get all squirrely when I write about the difference between the upper and lowercase meaning in Scripture.
  Let us look at the four references with this phrase the spirit of God. (Yes, hopefully, this will all connect to Balaam.)
— The first two references of the spirit of God refers to Bezaleel.—
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3) And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; (Exodus 35:31)
  In the book of Exodus 31:3 and 35:31 we have God supplying a man named Bezaleel with certain gifts and skills to accomplish an amazing task filled with symbolism, engineering wonders, beautiful pieces of furniture and garments that would endure time and use, and would reflect the holiness of God Himself. For this great task God filled Bezaleel with the spirit of God. (Lowercase ‘s.’)
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 31:1)
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (Exodus 31:2)
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3)
To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (Exodus 31:4)
And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:5)
And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; (Exodus 31:6)
The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, (Exodus 31:7)
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, (Exodus 31:8)
And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, (Exodus 31:9)
And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office, (Exodus 31:10)
And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. (Exodus 31:11)
  Then later in Exodus Chapter 35: 31, 34, and 35, God adds more information about His gift to Bezaleel. God gave Bezaleel wisdom of heart, and the gift of the ability to teach himself and his assistant Aholiab.
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. (Exodus 35:34)
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. (Exodus 35:35)
— The third reference of the spirit of God refers to Balaam. —
  The third reference regarding the spirit of God is found in our study Chapter, Numbers 24:2, And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Lowercase ‘s.’) God did not give Balaam the gift of wisdom and skill in construction and design as He had given to Bezaleel, but God gave Balaam words: words of a parable. Words that had the backing of the authority of the majestic throne of God.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: (Numbers 24:3) He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: (Numbers 24:4)
  All the parables that God gave to Balaam centered on God’s sovereignty, on His authority, on His power, and on His redeemed people: Israel. None of the words that God gave to Balaam was for Balaam personally. Balaam was selected by God to speak the words, but he was not the subject of the words, nor was he the beneficiary of the words. This corrupt prophet and priest had been the center of attention and prominence among the nations, and yet, God drew the attention away from Balaam and onto HIS WORDS. (Hopefully, we will explore these parables of God that He gave to Balaam either in this article or in a future article. I do not know, as I wait for God to lead.)
— The fourth and final reference of the spirit of God was spoken by Job. —
  Let us move onto the fourth and last reference of the spirit of God in the book of Job Chapter 27, verse 3. Job is thought to be the oldest book in the Bible, written before the books of Moses (maybe written by Moses and possibly during the time of Moses), and placed exactly at the proper place in the Bible. (This book deals with the issues of time, timelessness, creation, the sin of man, God’s righteousness, mankind’s responsibility to God, sacrifice, forgiveness and the spiritual roots of all that has plagued mankind from his creation.) Job is quoted as saying, All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils. (Lowercase ‘s.’) Since I do not want to break up the context or structure, we need to read this entire section of Scripture.
Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, (Job 27:1)
As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;Â (Job 27:2)
All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; (Job 27:3)
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. (Job 27:4)
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. (Job 27:5)
  The spirit of God in Job Chapter 27 refers to man’s creation in Genesis 2:7, And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Within every living person is the breath of life given by God, thus, within every living person is the evidence of the spirit of God (but not the Spirit of God) as every living soul was created in the image of God, and God breathed the breath of life in the very created being of Adam wherein man became a living soul.
  In the book of Job we are given two different phrases because there are two different points that God the Holy Spirit wants us to understand. All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils; (Job 27:3) The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4) The earthly hand that held the pen that wrote the book of Job is unknown, but the God through the Spirit of God controlled the hand that wrote the book of Job. The author of the book of Job was God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, He set the proper tone for the spirit of God and the Spirit of God. In Job the spirit of God is life breathed into every living human being, and the Spirit of God is our Creator, the Almighty God, the Godhead in His creatorial power who gave life to the souls of mankind through His very breath.
Note: Holy Spirit in Old Testament. Many tend to keep away from the mention of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament, but the New Testament informs us that the Spirit of God moved holy men of God to write prophecy, such as Daniel, Micah, Malachi, Zechariah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Moses, Job, and many others. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2nd Peter 1:21) Then we are instructed that the Spirit of Christ was in these holy men of God in the age of the Old Testament. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (1st Peter 1:10) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1st Peter 1:11)
  Dividing the works and power of God into categories and separating the Godhead into classifications does not spiritually aid our understanding of God in His sovereignty. God is ONE. He has personality, He has Being, He reveals Himself through Himself, He empowers through His powers, and He is beyond our comprehension of understanding and wisdom. We CAN KNOW God as Love and as Spirit, and we can somewhat understand His attributes through His descriptive words, but His Divine Nature is above ALL understanding.
  When, in the past, those He called He also endowed with gifts necessary to accomplish His calling. There were ordinary gifts and there were extraordinary gifts, there were natural gifts, and supernatural gifts, there were temporary gifts, and there were permanent gifts, there were time-based gifts, and there were gifts that extended beyond the realm of time. (Yes, this connects to Balaam.)
 Let us connect again to two worlds, or two realms that God rulers over. He rules over the temporal world where the spirit of man believes that he is master over, and He rules over the spiritual world: a temporal world and a spiritual world. God uses the lowercase ‘s‘ when the Holy Spirit is seen through the mechanical power of God over mankind. When it is the spiritual power of God in His Total Authoritative Being then the Holy Spirit of God uses ‘S.’ God’s operation over the worlds of His creations sometimes collide and at other times they run parallel to each other. In this particular instance with the four references of Scripture using ‘s‘ God is instructing us that He is Sovereign over ALL. (Remember that the number four represents the earth, the world from all four main compass bearings.)
  Remember that at the beginning of this article I wrote that the words the spirit of God does not denote redemption or salvation.
• With Bezaleel — we have two worlds — the temporal (Bezaleel) is employed to reveal the spiritual things of God. See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (Exodus 31:2) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3) The Tabernacle was the place where God dwelt, here was the Glory of God on earth.
• With Balaam — we have two worlds — the temporal (Balaam) is used to reveal the spiritual things of God. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2) And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: (Numbers 24:3) He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: (Numbers 24:4) Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel, and in the midst of Israel, where the Glory of God dwelt.
• With Job — we have two worlds — the temporal world through the breath of every living person reveals that their very breath was created by and comes by the Spirit of God. The temporal world (mankind himself) reveals the spiritual things of God. The terrestrial realm witnesses to the Glory of God. All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils; (Job 27:3) The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33:4) It was the world of the Spirit of God who created the natural world or the temporal world. All of nature has been formed, maintained and preserved by The Godhead. Nothing exists and nothing moves outside the Sovereign Supernatural Strength of The Godhead.
Side Note: The Two Worlds experienced by all in our births. Life precedes birth. Each of us lived before we were born. While hidden in the womb, and protected by amniotic fluid, each one of us existed in a realm that can be seen as representing the spiritual realm. We breathed (but only through the breath of another), we moved, we felt, we heard, we reacted to unseen outside forces, we grew, we developed, we were nourished, and yet, we had not been introduced into the natural world or the temporal world of our destiny called ‘the race of man.’ Our Creator God supplied us with the experience and the reality of another world that we have no memory of. We are the living proof and products of a world that we cannot remember. God uses our birth process (as an example) to reveal the existence of another world: seen, but unseen; experienced, but not realized. Yes, we breathed, but not by our own breathe, but through the breath of another. Is this not how we live in the temporal world through the breath that God breathed into the nostrils of Adam, and an example of how we are born into the spiritual world through the breath of the Holy Spirit of God by the Spirit of Christ? And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: (Isaiah 42:5) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Acts 17:24, 25)
  Within this little phrase and the spirit of God came upon him is a profound summary of the temporal being used by God to reveal the spiritual things of God. The terrestrial (in many ways) is employed by the Creator God to reveal the celestial to the terrestrial. Yes, grammar (when used by the Holy Spirit of God) can open other worlds to us. I will repeat what has been written at the beginning of this article to enforce that even in a lowercase ‘s‘ and an upper case ‘S‘ we have three basic Biblical principles: God is Sovereign, God acts supernaturally, and God manifests His power over the affairs of mankind.
Balaam
— his eyes open —
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. (Numbers 24:1)
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2)
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:Â (Numbers 24:3)
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:Â (Numbers 24:4)
  The Holy Spirit of God selected two simple words ‘eyes open‘ to allow our eyes to be spiritually opened to recognize ministers of unrighteousness as they speak words of righteousness. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2nd Corinthians 11:14) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2nd Corinthians 11:15)
  The apostle Peter wrote in 2nd Peter 2:15 that Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
  The Balaam of the Old Testament is the spirit of the Balaam of the New Testament entrenched in the Age of the Church in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Some would say that it is tragic that a prophet and a priest could say the words of God, and have the knowledge of the most High God, and even have a vision of the Almighty God, AND with eyes wide open be an enemy of God. Balaam was not a priest of God (he was a PAGAN priest), and not of the Levitical order of God, he was (yesterday) and he is (today) a priest made by other priests (of the same order) to swallow up the things of God and to keep the way to God blocked and under lock and key.
  There are thousands upon thousands who are BLIND to the knowledge of God, and refuse to hear the words of God, and this is a tragedy. BUT others live, work, and move in the realm of religion OUTSIDE the conviction and saving power of the Spirit of God and are NOT blind, their eyes see, and their eyes are wide open.
  Adam and Eve KNEW. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7) Adam KNEW. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1st Timothy 2:14) There are no earthly words that can describe this travesty of Adam.  The Holy Spirit of God leaves Adam out of the faith Chapter of Hebrews Chapter 11, because there are not earthly words that can describe the depth of Adam’s betrayal of His Creator.
  Cain KNEW. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9) Cain knew that his brother’s body lay on the field of blood. Cain knew that he had disobeyed God in offering a bloodless sacrifice. Cain knew that God was displeased with his bloodless offering. Cain refused to offer a blood sacrifice, but he had no trouble shedding the blood of his brother as a sacrifice to his own obsessive religion of self-righteousness.
  Nadab and Abihu KNEW. The first sin recorded within The Tabernacle was committed by two Levitical priests, the two sons of Aaron, the high priest. Being priests of the line of Aaron was not a remedy for sin. ALL are sinners. There were no sinless priests because all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) It is not the issue of the sin condition of ALL of mankind that we are focused on here, but it is those who KNOW with eyes open that God judges severely.
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. (Exodus 24:1)
  Nadab and Abihu KNEW and they also SAW the God of Israel. They worshiped God, and they were witnesses to the Glory of God on earth. Imagine that! No . . . I can’t imagine that!
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: (Exodus 24:9) And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:10)
  Those who are closest to the things of God often become too familiar and too comfortable with the things of God. Familiarity is said to breed contempt, however, it also breeds disrespect and audacity. However, with Nadab and Abihu it could also have been pride in their position. The nature of man is to honor himself more than God. Those who have come into religious positions (remember that I have in other articles drawn a difference between Christianity and religion) humbly hold their positions proudly. Even their clothing is a means to show that their rank and standing are above others.
Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. (Isaiah 23:9)
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? (Obadiah 1:3)
  Men of religion (more than men of other occupations, for religion is an occupation) equate God’s glory with a glory of their own. I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)
For mine own sake, [even] for mine own sake, will I do [it]: for how should [my name] be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. (Isaiah 48:11)
  God acted swiftly and righteously and Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, the two priests of God died. And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. (Leviticus 10:1) And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. (Leviticus 10:2) They died with their eyes open.
  ELI KNEW. The priest of God KNEW. Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (1st Samuel 2:22) And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. (1st Samuel 2:23) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’S people to transgress. (1st Samuel 2:24)
  Eli knew that his two sons were the sons of Belial, and knew not the Lord. Eli knew that they refused his advise to them to honor God. And God knew that Eli was not faithful in his responsibilities to serve Him and His sanctuary; thus, God dispatched (an unnamed) man of God to deliver a message to Eli.
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? (1st Samuel 2:29)
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1st Samuel 2:30)
Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. (1st Samuel 2:31)
And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. (1st Samuel 2:32)
And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. (1st Samuel 2:33)
And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them. (1st Samuel 2:34)
  It was Eli’s failure to uphold the honor of God and the holiness of the Tabernacle that caused the perpetual judgment of all who followed in the line of Eli. This sin within the sanctuary and the failure of the priesthood with Eli, Hophni and Phinehas evolved from men whose eyes were open. Although Eli died a blind man, his eyes were open. Physical blindness was not an excuse for spiritual blindness.
Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. (1st Samuel 4:15)
And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? (1st Samuel 4:16)
And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. (1st Samuel 4:17)
And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. (1st Samuel 4:18)
Balaam and What He Saw
— he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way —
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. (Numbers 22:31)
— he saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel —
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. (Numbers 24:1)
— he saw Israel abiding in his tents —
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. (Numbers 24:2)
— saw the vision of the Almighty —
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:Â (Numbers 24:3)
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:Â (Numbers 24:4)
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:Â (Numbers 24:15)He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: (Numbers 24:16)
— ♦ —
♦ he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way ♦
  The first mention of Balaam’s eyes being opened was recorded in Numbers 22:31. The Lord chose to reveal His judgment in the sword first to Balaam — he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand. Without a doubt this should have put the fear of God into Balaam’s mind, but he quickly forgot all about the drawn sword in the hand of the Lord’s angel. Mankind has a memory problem when it comes to the things of God. God also made sure that Balaam was aware that his lowly beast of burden, his ass, could see the spiritual, and this prophet could not. Here is another issue to add to man’s missing memory cells: man’s lack of spiritual discernment and man’s refusal to accept that God’s judgment is sure. Before God gave His words to Balaam, He first made it known to Balaam that God was the One who held the power of life and death.
♦ he saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel ♦
  The next thing that Balaam saw was that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel. This seems to be a complex subject for many. If it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, then why has this nation suffered more than any other nation in the course of history? Let us not mix two different time frames together. Why did it please the LORD to bless Israel not only in the time period of Balaam, but throughout all earth time? God KNEW that Israel would fail, God KNEW that Israel would turn from Him and worship gods of the nations, God KNEW that He would turn from Israel for a time, and yet it pleased the LORD to bless Israel. WARNING: You may read some words that you do not like.
For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2)
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it]. (1st Chronicles 28:10)
[Thou] whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou [art] my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. (Isaiah 41:9)
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10)
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:23)
  These words chosen thee occur seven times in Scripture, six times in the Old Testament ALL regarding the nation of Israel, and one time in the New Testament regarding the apostle Paul (in his blind state) after his encounter with the Lord of glory on the Damascus road. Six is the number of man in his sin state, and yet, the Holy Spirit of God uses this phrase ‘chosen thee‘ directly to His people Israel. Why six references? Israel (collectively) was a nation that could not and would not remain faithful to their God. This has been the state of all of mankind from the beginning of time. Although God dwelt among them, tabernacled with them, led them, fed them, kept them, enriched them, and proclaimed that Israel (above all nations) was chosen, and blessed beyond all nations; they would be afflicted and suffer greatly because of their sin against God . . . this is the number six . . . sinful man. Whether individually or collectively, mankind will face the consequences of sin; even God’s chosen people . . . especially God’s chosen people . . . judgment must always begin at the house of God.
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1st Peter 4:17) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1st Peter 4:18) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1st Peter 4:19)
  This promise of judgment during the Age of the Church begins at the house of God. The promise of judgment at the end of the Age of the Church is seen when the Lord spews OUT of His mouth the last church, the church of the Laodiceans. (Revelation 3:15-17) As God promised to judge Israel for their evil during the Age of the Old Testament, His judgment against Judah and Israel began at the house of God (as seen through a vision of God to Ezekiel). (Note that I have selected sections of Scripture to emphasis where God places the blame because it is at THAT place that judgment begins.) What befell His nation Israel has also befallen His Church. (Yes, this will connect to Balaam when he saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel.)
And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. (Ezekiel 8:1)
Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. (Ezekiel 8:2)
And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. (Ezekiel 8:3)
And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. (Ezekiel 8:4)　
He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. (Ezekiel 8:13)
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark;Â and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:6)
Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. (Ezekiel 9:9)
And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. (Ezekiel 9:10)
  Now before you go squirrelly again, and choke and cough about God being mean and unloving and hateful . . . first, God has more rights to act in judgment because you have no rights to accuse God of being unrighteous. God HATES sin. Oh . . Oh, I did it again. As God hates the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitans, so also He HATES ALL SIN. SIN within His sanctuary, within His house, within His Tabernacle, within His city (Jerusalem), within His nation, within His people, and within His Church MUST be judged and WILL be judged. Did you notice and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:6) In Ezekiel’s vision, judgment not only began at God’s sanctuary, but next to be judged were the ancient men who stood before the house. These were the religious men, the priests dripping with false honor and humility, clothed with robes of righteousness. This was Balaamism externalized. Here were the Nicolaitans before there were Nicolaitans. Mankind in his smug religiousness can excuse every sin as long as it appears to be religious. This is why sin had to be judged (and will be judged) at the place of its seat of authority. Religious man will fight to the death (your death — not their death) to defend their religion because they love it so much. They love everything about their religion, but they especially adore the pomp and circumstance of the outward glory of the achievements of their religion. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:31) (Yes, this will connect to Balaam when he saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel.)
  Knowing what we know about the failures and apostasy of the nation of Israel, why did it pleased the LORD to bless Israel? God saw Israel through laser eyes focused on one point. Although God called them not my people, and proclaimed that He would not be your [God], this casting aside was for a time, He never cast them away. There are absolutely no words that can express the thoughts of God except for the Word of God.
Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God]. (Hosea 1:9) Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God. (Hosea 1:10)
And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy;Â and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God. (Hosea 2:23)
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. (Romans 9:25) And it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (Romans 9:26)
  Chapter eleven of the book of Romans HAS to be read in its entirety. Maybe after reading every verse, you may understand more about why it pleased the LORD to bless Israel.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1)
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, (Romans 11:2)
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. (Romans 11:3)
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (Romans 11:4)
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7)
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (Romans 11:8)
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:Â (Romans 11:9)
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. (Romans 11:10)
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (Romans 11:11)
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (Romans 11:12)
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:Â (Romans 11:13)
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. (Romans 11:14)
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15)
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;Â (Romans 11:17)
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (Romans 11:18)
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. (Romans 11:19)
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (Romans 11:20)
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.(Romans 11:21)
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)
And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (Romans 11:23)
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:24)
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:25)
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:Â (Romans 11:26)
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (Romans 11:27)
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes:Â but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (Romans 11:28)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:Â (Romans 11:30)
Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. (Romans 11:31)
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (Romans 11:32)
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:34)
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (Romans 11:35)
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
  As Israel failed God, so also His Church failed. As Israel went, so also His Church followed. As God saw Israel, so too He sees the Church. The Godhead sees beyond failure, sees beyond judgment, and sees beyond what is in ALL mankind because God’s ONE focus is centered on His Glory in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  Although ALL must be judged, and ALL will be judged, nevertheless, God in His foreknowledge SEES beyond time where His people (Israel) and His people (the body of Christ — the Church) will be united together in worship and adoration to the Glory of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Galatians 3:19)
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (Galatians 3:20)
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (Galatians 3:21)
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:22)
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (Galatians 3:23)
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Galatians 3:25)
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
  It pleased the LORD to bless Israel — because His purpose and plan for them could never be stopped, neither diverted, nor destroyed. His chosen people were destined by The Godhead to fulfill Himself. It pleased the LORD to bless Israel — because the pleasure of God was bound up with God’s pleasure in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. From Israel would spring up ‘a root of Jesse,‘ ‘the Root of David,’ and He would be ‘the bright and morning star.’
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)
Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16)
  It is very interesting that the phrase it pleased the LORD is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible. The first time it is recorded in Numbers 24:1, and the second and last time it is recorded in Isaiah 53:10 as a descriptive reference to the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10) Why did Christ’s suffering and death please the Lord? Why did the LORD bruise him? And why would this please the LORD?
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  (Ephesians 1:5)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;Â (Ephesians 1:7)
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;Â (Ephesians 1:8)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1:9)
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11) 　
  It pleased the LORD to bless Israel — because Israel was and is an eminent component to the completion of God’s will for all things are gathered together in Christ to the pleasure of God’s will. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
  In the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we understand this unification of being gathered together in one as one through God’s numbering system. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God. (Revelation 11:16) In the four and twenty elders we see Israel (the twelve tribes) and the Church (the twelve apostles) united together in worship of their God. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;Â (Revelation 21:11)
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (Revelation 21:12)
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (Revelation 21:13)
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:14)
Side Note: Four and Twenty. Six and Seven. Nine. How are these numbers tied to each other? There is a very interesting component to the number of ‘twenty-four‘ or as Scripture has it as ‘four and twenty.’ This number is recorded in Scripture nine times, twice in the Old Testament and six verses in the New Testament has this number seven times for a total of nine times in the entire Bible. Read the following references.
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. (2nd Samuel 21:20)
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, whose fingers and toes [were]Â four and twenty, six [on each hand], and six [on each foot]: and he also was the son of the giant. (1st Chronicles 20:6)
And round about the throne [were]Â four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4)
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:10)
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8)
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:14)
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, (Revelation 11:16)
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4)
  Do you see it? In the Old Testament the two references describe Goliath, and the number of four and twenty portrays more than his fingers and toes. This number tells us that within Satan’s giant evil works he has many ways to reach out with his venom. He has many ways to walk and he has many ways to touch. There are numerous avenues that Satan’s giants can employ in their attempt to destroy God’s people, and God’s redemptive plan. And they are united together as one in their goal of destruction and annihilation of the things of God. Balaam is one of the many corruptive tentacles that the old serpent, the old giant Goliath, has in their arsenal. In this spiritual number of four and twenty, we also have the connection to Israel and the Church as targets of Satan’s feet and hands.
  There are six references in the New Testament of four and twenty (and all in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ), however, one verse has four and twenty two times, for a total of seven references. Again, do you see it? Through the number six we have man united, but man united without the perfection of God (the number seven) can never be united in truth, grace, righteousness, and in holiness. The unification of sinful man is seen in the trinity of the number six (6 – 6 – 6).
  It is God’s presence in His Son that brings truth, grace, righteousness and holiness to man. In these verses in Revelation we have a picture of a universe in perfect harmony around the throne of God. God the Holy Spirit adds another element to this picture. Israel and the Church are not the only ones represented, but we see something else, the four beasts. Do I know what they are? No. I believe that they are outside of our natural realm, and I will leave it there. I see this as ALL of creation (natural and supernatural — terrestrial and celestial) gathered around the center of ALL holiness: the throne of God AND the throne of God’s Christ, the Son of His love, Jesus Christ.
  This is the conclusion, and this is in the number nine. Nine is the square of three, and three is the number of Divine perfection of COMPLETENESS, and it is a number peculiar to the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, there are 27 books in the New Testament — God glorified in His perfection (3³) through His perfectly accomplished complete written word to mankind — it is finished — through His perfectly accomplished complete sacrifice by His Living Word, Christ — it is finished. Another interesting point is that the Lord said these words of ‘it is finished’ in the 9th hour while He was on the cross. (Matthew 27:45-50, compare to Mark 15: 34-37, compare to Luke 23: 44- 46, and compare to John 19: 30). Through the number 9 God instructs us of His completion, the finality of His work. (This is, of course, not the total revealing of the number 9 in Scripture).Â
  In Genesis Chapter 1 through this number nine (9) we see the conclusion of the matter. God simply states nine times ‘after his kind’ is the fixity of species, nothing to add in the physical realm of creation for kind produces after its own kind. The principle is set at the very beginning of God’s teaching, that kind produces after its own kind — said and done — the conclusion of the matter — the number 9.
 I will end with how I began with this Side Note: Four and Twenty. Six and Seven. Nine. This is how these numbers tied to each other.
♦ he saw Israel abiding in his tents ♦
  Balaam with his eyes looking upward saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes. While he and Balak plotted and schemed against Israel, their targets peacefully rested under the curtains of their tents. Although they rested, every tribe was in their assigned positions around the Tabernacle of God. In the center of their encampment was the dwelling place of God on earth. How could they fear when God was in their midst? As they would one day be before the throne of God in the heavenlies worshiping their Creator God, they (in type) in the desert wilderness encompassed and embraced their Center of Life, their God.
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34) And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:35)
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)
♦ saw the vision of the Almighty ♦
  Twice it is recorded that Balaam saw the vision of the Almighty. God witnessed to Balaam (in the number two) His Presence, His Being and His Power. Even after seeing the Presence, Being and Power of God Balaam never worshiped the Almighty God. What does this say to you? Is Satan’s power over his worshiper greater than the power of God? No! There is a power within all of mankind that can only be overcome by the Spirit of God supernaturally. There are powers outside of mankind that binds them to evil and these powers are within ALL of mankind, and these powers outside of mankind can be defeated, but only supernaturally by the power of God.
  The study of Balaam is a study of a man (a pagan prophet and priest) entangled and twisted by his own sinfulness: his greed for money, financial gain, and economic reward: the lust of mammon. Sin is not a light thing. It is not to be laughed at. It is not to be treated as a means of measurement as a scale of 1 to 10. One of man’s favorite methods to avoid the reality and seriousness of sin is denial. Denying the existence of God is just another method to avoid reality. Denying the importance and profoundness of sin is just another means that terrified man seeks to avoid the reality of sin and death.
  This is our world — the world of denial — the world of avoiding sin and death — the world of make-believe — the world of fun and games. The world of imagination, and the social-media savvy technology lures the young and the unknowing into a world that does not exist. This world of imagination is the realm where Satan thrives and flourishes in his attempt to extinguish the flames of truth and substance. Make-believe becomes fact, and fact becomes fantasy. Mankind is not capable of controlling his own imaginations, and using it for God’s purposes. Every gift from God (especially creative imagination) can be easily overcome and used against God’s purposes through man’s inherent desire for fame and fortune. It is a short journey from imagination to insanity in every walk of life and social interactions.
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1st John 2:16)
  Balaam could not deal with the reality of the Presence, Being and Power of a Righteous and Holy God. The Almighty was truly ALL MIGHTY. Having his eyes open Balaam still could not see. In his self-imposed blindness of denial Balaam is noted in the book of Jude and in the book of the Revelation as a traitor from within to the things of God. Balaam’s name has for thousands of years been linked with error, greed, avarice, betrayal, pride, religious paganism, unrighteousness, false doctrines, and evil deeds, but the damning sin of all Balaamites is that they do their best works of evil from within the house of God. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:31)
  The people love their Balaamites because they hypocritically believe they can wash their sin stained hands, and soiled feet, without remorse or repentance because their Balaam acts as a priest, a mediator, and a buffer between them and God. They can sleep at night foolishly accepting that their Balaam is able to forgive sin. They can play and sin again because their Balaam will be there to intercede for them; thus, allowing them to play and sin without the inconvenience of responsibility to God. These mindless individuals gladly pay for their Balaamite priests to baby-sit their consciences. Their Balaam MUST remain between them and God because other Balaamites have declared that only Balaamites can forgive sin, and only Balaamites have the ear of God, and only Balaamites can proclaim the word of God, and only Balaamites can teach the word of God according to previous unholy Balaamites. And what will ye do in the end thereof?
♦
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;Â (1st Timothy 2:5)
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While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;Â hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
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Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Men of renown is a companion piece to Giants in the Earth series.
© Copyright 2021, Mary Haigh
This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJV)