Numbers 24: Balaam’s prophecy from Peor. Balaam has done his 2 prophecies for Balak, each time blessing Israel instead of curing them as Balak had paid him to do. Then the Spirit of God comes on Balaam and he gives a 3rd prophecy at Peor, again blessing Israel. Balak is angry with Balaam, but again, to Balaam’s credit, he affirms to Balak that he will only speak what the Lord tells him to speak. Is Balaam still a true prophet in good standing with the Lord? Balaam then gives a 4th prophecy that predicts events long after the current situation. Numbers 24:“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel.” AI: “Many scholars view a first fulfillment in King David, who conquered Moab centuries later (conquering Moab was part of Balaam’s prophecy). Jewish and Christian traditions also view it as a messianic prophecy, predicting Jesus to arise as king of the Jews in the distant future. Christians often connect the star imagery to Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem.” It is possible that the Persian magi read this prophecy and it influenced their journey to find the baby king of the Jews, led by a divinely guided star.
Numbers 25: So is that the end of the story of Balaam? Did he get his money promised to him by Balak or did Balak refuse to pay him since he blessed Israel instead of curing them? The answers come from the sin at Peor. The Israelite men began having sex with the Moabite women and worshipping the Moabite god Baal. God sent a plague killing 24,000. The only thing that stopped the plague was when Eleazar’s son Phinehas (a future high priest) caught an Israelite man, Zimri, and a Moabite woman, Cozbi, in the Israelite camp having sex and Phinehas drove a spear through their bodies (apparently while having sex). But what does Balaam have to do with the sin at Peor? Numbers 31:16 “Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor…” Apparently Balaam still wanted his reward from Balak but the Spirit had kept him from cursing Israel. So he came up with another plan to sell to Balak. He counseled the Israelite men to start having sex with the Midianite women and to start worshipping Baal. Balaam knew that God would punish Israel if they did that, and God did indeed kill 24,000 for that sin at Peor. This is why Balaam is condemned in the New Testament.
AI: Balaam is explicitly condemned in three distinct locations in the New Testament. In each instance, he is invoked by the biblical authors as a prominent warning against false teachers, greed, and spiritual corruption.
1. Revelation 2:14 — “The Doctrine of Balaam”. In Jesus’ letter to the church in Pergamum, He condemns those who tolerate the “teaching” or “doctrine” of Balaam. This passage highlights how Balaam, unable to curse Israel directly, maliciously advised King Balak of Moab to entice the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry.
For the full biblical text of Revelation 2:14, please consult the referenced document.
2. 2 Peter 2:15–16 — “The Way of Balaam”. The Apostle Peter uses Balaam as a case study for false prophets who abandon righteousness out of a love for money, recalling how the prophet was rebuked by a talking donkey. You can find the full passage in the referenced source.
3. Jude 1:11 — “The Error of Balaam”. Jude groups Balaam with Cain and Korah as an archetype of rebellion and deceit, condemning false teachers driven by financial profit. The complete verse is available in the referenced document.
Numbers 26: God orders another census be taken of the fighting men over the age of 20 in the new generation. The first census was taken when Israel first came to Sinai 40 years earlier of the generation that died in the 40 years in the wilderness (all over 20). The First Census (Numbers 1) totaled 603,550 men, and the Second Census (Numbers 26) taken roughly 38 to 40 years later totaled 601,730 men. That means the entire population of Israel was over 1 1/2 million including men, women, and children.
Numbers 27 gives laws about inheritance of land. The presumably unmarried daughters of Zelophehad appealed to Moses to receive some of their deceased father’s land. Apparently they got none of his inheritance. God told Moses that they should get the first rights to their father’s land ahead of even their brothers. God gave a law of passing inheritance on “per stirpes” or blood relatives first, etc. This whole incident shows God compassion for women. Compare that with how many cultures mistreat women.
Moses is then told that he will not be allowed to enter Canaan b/c of his sin at Meribah. He is told to appoint Joshua as his successor and join Joshua with Eleazar the new high priest to lead Israel, using the Urim and Thumim to make decisions.
Numbers 28 gives the laws for animal sacrifices for the daily offering of 2 lambs, the Sabbath extra 2 lambs, the first of each month offerings, the Passover offerings on the 14th day of the first month, and the Pentecost Feast of Weeks offerings 50 days after Passover. That’s a lot of animal sacrifices and blood. All stood as a type of the need for the blood of Christ to forgive all sins of the old and new covenant. I’m glad we are not living under the old covenant!
