Men of Renown
Balaam
Part xii
The Third Parable
— The Goodly Tents —
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 xii, that you should first read article about the corrupt priest/prophet called Balaam, Balaam Part vi , and maybe vii, viii, ix, x, and xi, but that’s just my opinion. . . .
The Third Parable of Balaam
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5)
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. (Numbers 24:6)
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. (Numbers 24:7)
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. (Numbers 24:8)
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. (Numbers 24:9)
♦
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5)
  The love of our Creator God is beyond ALL comprehension. Earthly words cannot begin to explain how God, like our God, can love. His creatures are more than stage craft, or chess pieces moved by an invisible hand of force. In the book of Numbers, Chapter 24, verse 5, the Holy Spirit of God selected the word ‘goodly‘ to describe the tents of Jacob, and the tabernacles of Israel. The word ‘goodly‘ has the primitive root meaning of ‘beauty, greatly beloved, delight, something pleasant and precious.’ This is how God saw the tents of Jacob, and the tabernacles of Israel. This is how God saw His children . . . . safe, resting, and enjoying the fruits and gifts of His goodness.
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. (Isaiah 63:7)
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. (Isaiah 63:8)
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)
Side Note: Two Sides — Two Views of Goodly. Through the word ‘goodly‘ the Holy Spirit of God allows us to understand the reality of two realms. There is the natural (or carnal) realm, and there is the supernatural (or spiritual) realm. How God views ‘goodly‘ is entirely opposite to how mankind views‘goodly.‘ Spiritual vision was a problem with Israel as it is with Christianity. What delights man, and what mankind find precious is not what God finds delightful or precious. In the Old Testament there are twenty-nine (29) references with the word ‘goodly.‘ The first mention and the last mention set the meaning of ‘goodly‘ as the world (mankind) understands this word. The first mention of ‘goodly‘ is found in Genesis 27:15 and is related to the deception of Rebekah and Jacob to deceive Isaac by using the goodly raiment of Esau (the man of the natural/carnal world) through guile. And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which [were] with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son. The last mention in the Old Testament joins the word ‘goodly‘ to the prophetic deception paid with thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD that was fulfilled in the New Testament as documented in the gospel of Matthew 27:3. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:13)
  Man views the things that he possesses, such as, garments, homes, and money as ‘goodly things,’ and man uses these ‘goodly things‘ as an influence for evil, deception and corruption. In Zechariah 11:13, we see ‘a goodly price‘ from two distinctly different views. The Holy Spirit of God, through the reference point in Zechariah 11:13, teaches us that God uses the corruptness of humanity and turns man’s evil into a precious force for His glory. How could this last mention of the word goodly in the Old Testament in Zechariah 11:13 prophetically evolve into God’s unfolding His goodness and love to mankind?
  With that question in mind, let us move on. It is difficult for children of God to see the goodness of God (the goodly and precious things of God) when surrounded by evil forgetting that within the very core of the Godhead bodily is the essence of goodness in righteousness and holiness. The life of Joseph was a journey scripted by God to save His people Israel, to show His power of election, to instruct His creatures of His power to overthrow governmental tyranny, to move minds and hearts to do His will, and to show His perfect Sovereignty above creation and His creatures.
  In Chapter 50 (the last Chapter in the book of Genesis) there is a reference verse that documents God’s power. The broad message in Genesis 50:20 is grander then just a mere mention of the captivating life of a young man announced (the coat of many colors) to be the heir of his tribe, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, deliberately and falsely accused of attempted rape, wrongfully imprisoned, and then suddenly in a moment of time appointed to the second in authority (next to Pharaoh) over one of the greatest civilizations in the history of mankind. Never in the annals of man has such a life been lived within such a spectrum of emotional and physical broadness of experiences. This last chapter in the book of Genesis ends with the word ‘coffin.’ So Joseph died, [being] an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:26) It is the only time that the word coffin is mentioned in all of the Bible. Interesting because Genesis is a book of life, the creation of life, the origin of mankind, the beginning of mankind, life in bloom, and because of sin man ends up in a coffin . . . . from life to death . . . the core of Genesis . . . life and good, death and evil, life and death, blessing and cursing. God doesn’t mince around with words. He is straight forward. This is the first book of His word . . . . Genesis. It begins with the sweetness and freshness of the origin of human life in a pristine environment, and ends with a rotting corpse in a coffin in Egypt (a spiritual symbol of corruption and the evil of the world). Â
  In the last book of the Pentateuch, God profoundly summarizes the heart of our Creator within the first five books of Scripture.
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;Â (Deuteronomy 30:15)
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:Â (Deuteronomy 30:19)
 There is a reference verse in the last chapter of Genesis that summarizes the Sovereignty of God in few words. Although Joseph spoke these words to his brothers, these very words apply to ALL who constantly work against God, and His people. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20) Can you see that although Balaam was intent on finding a way to curse the people of God that evil can never overturn the purposes and will of God?
  Now . . . let’s go back to a previous question. How could this last mention of the word goodly in the Old Testament in Zechariah 11:13 prophetically evolve into God’s unfolding His goodness and love to mankind? And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:13) In this Old Testament book of Zechariah this prophetic statement was fulfilled centuries later as documented in the 1st book of the New Testament in the gospel of Matthew Chapter 27, verse 6. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. (Matthew 27:6) That goodly price was the price of blood. I ask the question once more . . . How could this last mention of the word goodly in the Old Testament in Zechariah 11:13 prophetically evolve into God’s unfolding His goodness and love to mankind?
Side Note of a Side Note:Â Even in the numbering sequence of the location or address of this reference is plainly visible in that the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Ghost would be one in unity in all things specifically relating to the blood sacrifice of the pure Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. That goodly price in Zechariah 1 – 1 – 1 – 3 which was the price of blood would be realized through even this number sequence, thus adding to the spiritual message that God the Father. God the Son, God the Holy Spirit are ONE in the determinate counsels to fulfill ALL so that mankind (1 – 1 – 1 – 3 = 6, the number of man) would be redeemed.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1st Peter 1:18) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1st Peter 1:19) I again remind you of a previous statement: The word ‘goodly‘ has the primitive root meaning of ‘beauty, greatly beloved, delight, something pleasant and precious.’ Yes, that goodly price was the price of blood . . . the precious blood of God Himself manifested in His bodily image in Jesus Christ. Yes, THAT PRICE and HIS BLOOD was THE PRICE of redemption. (I strongly recommend that, if possible, you click on the following link for additional information on the price of blood. CLICK HERE.)
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28) ♦ End of Side Note of a Side Note.
  Returning to the Side Note: Two Sides — Two Views of Goodly.  How could this last mention of the word goodly in the Old Testament in Zechariah 11:13 prophetically evolve into God’s unfolding His goodness and love to mankind? The thirty pieces of silver were a ‘goodly price‘ or a pleasing price for those who paid Judas, but actually the Godhead bodily was unveiling that although mankind places a price on blood, God also placed a price on blood.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)
 In the determinate counsels of God, it was settled that in the fullness of time God in Christ would reconcile the world unto Himself through the blood of His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. . . . determined, decreed, and accomplished at the cry It is finished.
  From goodly to precious, from before time, from before the beginning the Godhead determined and decreed that the redemptive program for Israel and for His Church would be accomplished. Although the Prince of the air (Satan) and the ministers of Satan (Balak, Balaam, and all who oppose God and His program) would never succeed in their rebellious attempt to overturn God, Joseph statement in Genesis 50:20 is profoundly realized. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
  We’re not entirely through with the word goodly. As previously mentioned, the first mention and the last mention set the meaning of ‘goodly‘ as the world (mankind) understands this word. In the thoughts and eyes of the natural carnal person goodly applies to all that pleases them. Rebekah and Jacob set the tone of goodly as deception. Then the last mention in the Old Testament completes this tone of goodly in the deception, guile and treachery of those who shed innocent blood.
  Let’s take a look at this word and its application in the New Testament. In the New Testament there are only four times (four, the number of the world) that the word goodly is used by the Holy Spirit of God. Notice that in all of the four references, the root meanings of the word goodly ‘beauty, greatly beloved, delight, something pleasant and precious,‘ cannot be spiritually substituted for the word goodly. Does this not give you pause to think that here in the New Testament where the true PRECIOUS Lamb of God, the GREATLY BELOVED of God, and He who DELIGHTS God is introduced to the world in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ that even the word goodly must not and cannot be applied to the Perfection of God in Jesus the Christ. It appears that the Holy Spirit of God at this point (in the New Testament) sets about (almost undetectably) to emphasize the deceptiveness and guile within mankind.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:Â (Matthew 13:45)
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, (Luke 21:5)
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;Â (James 2:2)
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (Revelation 18:14)
  Again, it is the first and last mention of the word goodly in the New Testament that sets the tone of the meaning of the word. The merchant man, seeking goodly pearls in Matthew 13:45 and the merchants in Revelation Chapter 18 lusted after things that cannot save their souls, for the souls of merchandisers and monopolists have been seared and soiled by their lust for money and power. Hopefully, most people understand that practically every nation is under the control of merchandisers, especially the United States. We are controlled by corporate traffickers. They traffic in people, human beings, boys and girls. They traffic in drugs, bioweapons, plagues, and viruses. They traffic in mind control and in behavior changing propaganda. They traffic in lusts. They traffic in murder and in assassinations. They traffic in buying and selling of governments. When there is no more to buy or to sell, what will be their end? To know their end READ Chapter 18 of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. (To those who are almost obsessive about prophecy . . . you want to know what is going to happen? First understand WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING!) We are living in the Age of the Glory Days of Traffickers, but their grief and end is SURE.
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (Revelation 18:1)
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2)
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:3)
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:5)
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (Revelation 18:6)
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (Revelation 18:7)
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:8)
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (Revelation 18:9)
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10)
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (Revelation 18:11)　
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, (Revelation 18:12)
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (Revelation 18:13)
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (Revelation 18:14)
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, (Revelation 18:15)
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! (Revelation 18:16)
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, (Revelation 18:17)
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! (Revelation 18:18)
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. (Revelation 18:19)
  Don’t run away, don’t click me off, I am just beginning. Having put Matthew 13:45 and Revelation 18:14 together in the development of the merchant man, the word goodly doesn’t end there. Now I am about to axe your golden calf, or gore your ox, or maybe axe your ox — whatever! In the gospel of Luke we have a reference verse directed toward the excessive veneration of the temple of the Jews in Jerusalem. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, (Luke 21:5) Of course, the Jewish nation looked on this place almost as equal with God . . . this massive construction with goodly stones and gifts was their pride and delight; much as today, where massive cathedrals and buildings of glass and marble have been substituted for the presence and approval of God. This is not only Christianity, but practically every religion and cult builds monuments to themselves and to their golden calves; thus, goodly in Luke 21:5 is the deception and guile of ALL religions and cults.
  Now, let us move on to goodly in the book of James, Chapter 2, verse 2, For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment. Through the word goodly we have what many call ‘the local church.’ There is no such thing. You may meet together in a nearby location, in a building, but this is not a church. It is merely a building. Church and building are not synonymous. A building is where individuals meet. A Church is NOT a place . . . it is in a PERSON, it is The Body of Christ. Well, we got THAT over with, now let’s address James 2:2. Here in James 2:2 goodly apparel sets a person apart as more spiritual because of money. Yup . . . money definitely makes a person more spiritual. Yup . . . money, position, and importance definitely are signs of spirituality. The feel good gospel in action guarantees a person of wealth and of goodly apparel a place of distinction and position within the organizational meeting of Christians. (Man, could I tell you a story of this verse! “Excuse me, but this very rich and very important person just came in and he would like your seat.” I kid you not!)
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (James 2:1)
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;Â (James 2:2)
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:Â (James 2:3)
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (James 2:4)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5)
  The four documentations of the word goodly in the New Testament clearly unfold deception and guile within the world of traffickers, within the realm of religion, and within the professing Church. Oh, yes, the world (four) loves goodly things. ♦ End of Side Note.
  Although there is still much to be written about this first sentence of the third parable by Balaam How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! let us just focus on how God views the goodly tents of Jacob, and the tabernacles of Israel. I believe that in previous articles the difference between Jacob and Israel were noted. It never hurts to repeat important points. Before Jacob became known as Israel he was a man dedicated to himself and to his wants and desires (as all mankind). It was God who changed his name from Jacob (Supplanter) to Israel (A Prince with God). This change was much more than a name change (we could safely call it his born again experience). Remember that God changed Abram’s name to Abraham as documented in Genesis Chapter 17, verse 5, Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. The name change came because Abram was now a new person, and a new being requires a new name. Whenever the name of Jacob (as a collective unit and/or nation) and the name of Israel are mentioned together we should see the two fold natures of the nation: first, the nation seen through the eyes of God as from the carnal natural man called the Supplanter; and secondly after Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of God before his supernatural spiritual rebirth. Thus, Jacob represents the ‘old man,’ the man conflicted with his sin, and Israel represents the ‘new man.’ But there is also more in this second point as it relates to the NATION of Israel and not to the man named Israel.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;Â (Ephesians 4:22)
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)
And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Â (Colossians 3:10)
  Also add this to the second point under the name of Israel as the nation, God sees the nation as a Prince with God in its full purpose of priestly service to God.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:Â (Exodus 19:5) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6)
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)
  There is also another point that we sometimes quickly read over, and this is in the word tents. This is an entirely different thread, therefore, let’s slowly begin to pull it through the seamless tapestry woven by the Spirit of God. Let’s begin with the first and last mention of the word tents in Scripture. Notice where tents come into play. The first mention is found in the first book of the Bible in the book of Genesis, Chapter 4, verse 20, in the clan of Cain, the descendants of the giant named Cain, And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and [of such as have] cattle. They were, of course, not the only people on earth at that time who lived in tents. That is NOT my point. The point is that the FIRST MENTION is found with this particular clan, the clan of the rebellion haters of God. Let us now go to the last mention of the word tents found the book of Zechariah, the 15th verse in the 14th Chapter, And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. To understand this verse I suggest that you read the complete Chapter. Let me do a brief summation. (Here is prophecy for the prophecy hunters.) This 14th Chapter deals with the END. You know . . . the END. This END is the end of all opposition against God when the Lord Jesus Christ claims His earth, His Kingly position over the earth, which is the beginning of the millennial kingdom. What has any of this to do with the word tents? Stay calm grasshopper, we’ll get to the end soon enough. Did I write ‘brief summary?”
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.(Zechariah 14:2)
Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zechariah 14:3)
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:4)
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5)
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:Â (Zechariah 14:6)
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. (Zechariah 14:7)
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. (Zechariah 14:8)
And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9)
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses. (Zechariah 14:10)
And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. (Zechariah 14:11)
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. (Zechariah 14:12)
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. (Zechariah 14:13)
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. (Zechariah 14:14)
And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. (Zechariah 14:15)
  Although we have the first and last mention of the word tents there is still a key element missing. What do tents represent? Ancient tents were constructed by using tanned animal skins, the skins of dead animals. What is the common element in these words: tents, dead animals, blood, skins, and tanner? Tents represent death. Some animal died so that mankind could be sheltered. Mankind has been, for centuries, surrounded by skins of death. The first to live under skins of death were Adam and Eve. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21) They not only sinned against God, but for the rest of their existence they had to wear death, they were covered with death, they were sheltered by death, and they could never escape from the penalty of their sin which was DEATH. God (the first Tanner) clothed them with their sinful nature within and without. Today, many are concerned about identity, many desire to identify as something that they are not, but they do not want to identify with what they are. . . sinners. Adam and Eve did not have this identity conflict, God made sure that they would always be surrounded and encased with their identity. They could resist it, they could deny it, they could be angry and rebellious about it, but nevertheless they were the walking dead. Do you now see why that the first mention of the word tents is in relationship with the descendants of the first murderer? Do you now understand why the last mention of the word tents is connected to the final judgment of mankind on earth? And in this last mention, the Holy Spirit of God ties animals with the words horse, mule, camel, ass, and of all the beasts, and plague with the word tents.
And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. (Zechariah 14:15)
  Not only were the skins from these animals used in the making of tents, but these animals also reflect the nature of sinful man. Mankind relying on his strength (the horse), man as a stubborn mule, man as an unclean beast of burden as the camel, and man as a wild ass, uncontrollable, perverse and self-willed.
Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. (Psalm 32:9)
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. (Psalm 147:10)
Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: [as] the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he [is] unclean unto you. (Leviticus 11:4)
  The word plague is another study that could easily become a book about the relevancy of man’s greatest fear: death. But I am not going there. What is THIS plague in Zechariah 14:15? It is not any plague, nor a specific bioweapon, it is the dreaded plague that the plague of leprosy represents . . . SIN. (The word plague occurs more in the 13th Chapter of Leviticus then in any other chapter in the Bible; it is found in 32 verses for a total of 46 mentions . . . 4 is the number representing the world, and 6 is the number that represents mankind; consequently the word plague is mentioned in the 13th Chapter 46 times, ya just can’t make this stuff up, tell me that the Holy Spirit of God doesn’t use everything to show the greatness of His glory and power.) (The number 13 strikes again.) The dreaded 13, the dreaded leprosy, the dreaded curse, and the dreaded words of God when He proclaimed to Adam that death (through the sin of rebellion) was a reality. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; (Deuteronomy 30:15)
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (Genesis 2:16) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.(Genesis 2:17)
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:Â (Romans 5:12)
  When we began this third parable with the first sentence of Balaam’s parable, I did not expect to go where we have been, How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! (Numbers 24:5) Don’t you just LOVE the word of God? Through all the spiritual lessons and concepts that God the Holy Spirit has opened to us, yes, and there is yet more.
  This first sentence of Balaam’s third parable is one of instruction, learning and praise that although Jacob was at first called the Supplanter, it was through God’s grace that Jacob become known as The Prince with God: Israel. Also in spite of Jacob living in tents of death and suffering, God made it goodly. God made it ‘beauty, greatly beloved, delight, something pleasant and precious.’ Let’s end with these two thoughts from the book of Romans.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded
[is] life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
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)