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!

Numbers 19 is mainly the burning of the red heifer (a young female cow that has not yet given birth to a calf). The ashes would be placed outside the camp so that people could use them for purification if they became unclean (for example if they touched a dead body). AI: “The red heifers in Israel are central to ongoing biblical prophecies, local breeding programs, and intense regional geopolitical tensions. Many religious Jews and Christian Evangelicals believe that performing this purification ceremony is the essential prerequisite step required to ritually cleanse worshippers and allow for the rebuilding of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The presence and potential sacrifice of these heifers have triggered profound alarm across the Muslim world.”

But let me be clear: the offering of all animals, including the red heifer, under the old covenant ceased when Jesus died and gave His blood for the new covenant. Hebrews 9:¹¹“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; ¹² and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse ^[p]your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Jews who don’t believe in Jesus are still preoccupied with offering red heifers instead of believing in the eternal cleaning power of the blood of Jesus. Pray for them that they can come to believe in Jesus. Many Jews do believe in Jesus (Messianic Jews), groups like Jews for Jesus. Don’t get caught up in all the talk about what’s happening in Israel today as if it is part of Biblical prophecy being fulfilled. Many evangelical Christians are even saying that. Just ignore it and focus on getting the gospel of Jesus out to the lost.

Numbers 20 is the death of Miriam, the sin of Moses, and the death of Aaron. Miriam was Moses’ sister, the one who was struck with leprosy b/c she criticized Moses for the exalted position God had given him (Numbers 12). Aaron was Moses’ brother who was anointed the first Levitical high priest. He was Moses’ spokesman in dealing with Pharoah but he was also responsible for letting the people get out of control in building the golden calf at Mt Sinai (Numbers 13-14). Aaron’s son Eleazar took his place (Aaron’s first two sons, Nadab and Abihu, had been killed by God for offering “strange fire” in Numbers 10). The priesthood would remain in Eleazar’s family for many generations.

The sin of Moses (and Aaron) was not just striking the rock when God had told him to speak to the rock. Psalm 106:³²They also provoked Him to wrath at the waters of Meribah, so that it went hard with Moses on their account; ³³because they were rebellious against His Spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips.” Numbers 19:¹⁰ and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” God told Moses that he had not “treated God as holy in the sight of the people”. Moses basically lost his temper! You can understand why. He had just spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness with the complaining, unbelieving generation that came out of Egypt. He had watched about one million Israelites die in the wilderness during that 40 years. But now the new generation is about to enter Canaan and what are they doing? Complaining about the lack of water, wishing they had died in Egypt instead of coming to the wilderness. Moses is probably thinking, “Here we go again. God is probably going to make this new generation wander in the wilderness another 40 years. I don’t think I can handle that at the age of 120!” But he sinned, both by striking the rock instead of speaking to it and by his rash words. I’m sure God was displeased with this new generation complaining, but He was patient with them. Moses lost his patience. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land b/c of this sin, but God actually did him a favor. Moses was 120, tired of leading disobedient, grumbling people. It would take 7 years of fighting, conquering 31 Canaanite kings, to conquer Canaan. Moses was spared all that and God would bury him. Instead Moses was able to die and enjoy a peaceful rest with God.

Life Lesson: Do people disappoint you and frustrate you at times? Do you lash out at them with words that you late regret? Are you patient with others when they let you down and when they do wrong things? Do you get tired of your friends complaining about things instead of being appreciative? Colossians 3:¹² So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Moses had been told by God not to kill the Edomites b/c they were relatives, descended from Esau (Jacob’s brother), so he politely asked Edom to allow Israel to pass through Edomite territory on the final stretch to Canaan. But the Edomites would not let them pass through their territory and “came out against him with a heavy force and with a strong hand.” The map shows how Israel then went around Edom territory to avoid conflict.

Numbers 21 is the incident of the bronze serpent. As they pass around Edom, which just meant extra time in the wilderness instead of going. through Edom, the people began to complain again: no food and no water. They even “loathed” the manna God was giving them every day. Think how Moses must have felt. “I can’t believe this is happening again!” What will God do to these people? So God sent poisonous snakes and many died. The people begged Moses to intercede for them as he had done many times for the unbelieving generation, and he did. God told him to place a bronze serpent on a standard. Anyone bitten could look at that serpent and be healed. God’s patience with the Israelites is amazing. He becomes angry with them but over and over again he forgives them. Jesus used this incident to predict his crucifixion on the cross. John 3:¹⁴As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; ¹⁵so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” God already knew that one day His Son Jesus would be hung on a cross when this incident with Israel happened. Did God purposely, specifically choose this bronze serpent method of healing them to give a type of the crucifixion of Jesus? Probably so. He could have healed them many other ways, but He specifically chose this bronze serpent way.

Numbers 21 continues Israel’s journey to Canaan, defeating Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan. Israel lived in Amorite lands for a while. (see the map)

Numbers 22: Israel comes to the plains of Moab (see the map), east of the Jordan river. This begins the story of Balaam the prophet. Balak, the king of Moab, saw the Israelites and heard what they had done to Sihon and Og. He sent messengers to hire Balaam to come curse Israel as they passed by Moabite land. AI: “Opinions among modern Bible readers differ on whether he “fell” from a state of true grace or was always a mercenary pagan whom God temporarily commandeered to protect His people.” Balaam does seem to have a speaking relationship with Yahweh as he consults with Yahweh, which might mean that he was indeed a true prophet of God at this time. Either way, God at first told Balaam not to go. Balak sent more messengers and more money. As if the Lord would change His mind on this, Balaam apparently is tempted by the offer of riches and consults the Lord again. This time the Lord tells him to go but only to speak what God tells him to speak.

So Balaam heads to Moab on his donkey. The Lord is angry with him for going even though He had told him to go. Perhaps the Lord had only allowed him to go so God could use this to bless Israel. The angel of the Lord stood in Balaam’s path with a sword and the donkey swerved off the road. Apparently only the donkey saw the angel at first. Balaam struck the donkey at least 3 times trying to get the donkey moving but the donkey just lay down. Then follows a conversation between Balaam and his donkey. The donkey talks to Balaam and Balaam answers him, even admitting that his donkey had never acted like that before. Then the Lord let Balaam see the angel and the angel told him that the donkey had saved Balaam’s life by stopping him. He warned Balaam to continue his journey to Moab but to only speak what God tells him to speak. So this incident was just a last warning to Balaam. “Skeptics point to the talking donkey as a clear indicator of folklore and fables, arguing that literal talking animals belong in fairy tales rather than historical records.” It is a strange story, but Moses who recorded it in Numbers tells it as an actual historical event.

Life Lesson: There are a lot of stories in the Bible that critics mock. The parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho falling, Jesus turning water to wine and his other miracles, etc. But the Bible is the Word of God and is not full of fables and myths. If God can make a donkey from nothing, then He can make the donkey talk. If He made water, which He did, from nothing, then He can change that water to wine, which He also made from nothing. The Bible has been shown to be the Word of God by fulfilled prophecies and you can believe all the historical events recorded in the Bible. Don’t let some professor or atheist try to undermine your faith in the Bible.

Numbers 23: Balaam meets Balak and Balak carries him to a high place of the god Baal so that Balaam can curse Israel. Instead, the Sprit of God takes over and 3 times Balaam blesses Israel instead of cursing them. Balak is obviously angry at Balak and is not getting his money’s worth from him! To Balaam’s credit, he at least at this point is obeying what God and the angel told him to do. So why is Balaam condemned in the New Testament? More to follow.

A little human interest story. Recently a mentally challenged adult was able to visit the Signals Museum in Huntsville, Al. He has listened to radios 24/7 all his life and his parents let him buy radios, stereos, etc. all through the years. He has bought hundred of them. If you go on a trip and call him, he will always ask “what radio station do they have”. He enjoyed the visit to the Signals Museum. It’s mission is “to educate visitors about the history of information communication advancements and the scientists, engineers and business leaders who made them possible” (from their brochure). It has many amazing exhibits and displays, such as telephone, telegraph, radio, television, Ham Shack, etc. . Go visit if you can.

One of the exhibits is “telegraphs”. In big letters on the display are the words, “What God hath wrought”. That is taken from Numbers 23:23 (KJV). That was the first message ever sent over a long distance telegraph line (from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland). The inventor of the telegraph was Samuel Morse and the message was sent in “morse code” on May 24, 1844. Annie Elsworth composed the message. The context of Numbers 23 is the prophet Balaam’s 2nd attempt to curse Israel as they passed through Moab on the final leg to the Promised Land under Joshua. Balaam tried 4 times to curse Israel to get his pay from Balaak the king of Moab, but all 4 times the Spirit took over and Balaam blessed Israel. The whole verse reads: Numbers 23:23 For there is no magic curse against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel; at the proper time it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel, what God has done!” (NASB). In other words, not only would the Spirit not curse Israel but one day in the future people would be amazed at what God did for Israel, HIs people. He would lead them into the. Promised Land and defeat all the Canaanite nations. He would make a great nation of Israel and established the mighty kingdom of David. He would do mighty miracles for them such as the walls of Jericho and the sun standing still. People would look at the history of Israel and her God Yahweh and say, “Wow! Look what God did with them. What an amazing God!”

I can’t read what Annie Elsworth had in mind when she composed that 4 word message, but I can only guess that she was amazed at what God had accomplished through Morse and others in inventing the telegraph. What an amazing way of sending information. That was just the beginning, of course, and look at where we are today. The history of all that is at the museum. Even as late as 1974, when we were in Trinidad, West Indies, we had to find a ham operator in Trinidad and get him to talk to a ham operator in the U.S. who would then call our parents collect so we could talk through the them via ham. Now I can call people in Trinidad on whatsapp and see their faces as we talk.

All that got me thinking about signals from God. How did He communicate with man? How did he reveal Himself to man? It starts with “general revelation”. Romans 1:²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” The very existence of a universe created from nothing and the design of that universe tell us there is a creator God. Psalm 19:1 “The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands. ² Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard. ⁴ Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.” Constantly 24/7 the universe and everything created is speaking to us, telling “there is a glorious God who created everything. Give Him the honor and praise that is due Him.” Atheists can’t hear that message appaarently.

But gneral revelation via the creation does not tell us what that God is like. Is is the Greek pantheon of gods headed by the chief god Zeus? Or is the many gods of Hinduism with Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva? Or is it Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu of Zoroastrianism? Or is it the many Egyptian gods like Ra, the sun god? Thus God used “special revelation” to tell us what He is like and what His plans are. He used prophets who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” They told us in inspired words what God has been doing throughout history with Israel. They told us about the many miracles of God. They told us about the nature of God. They told us about God’s plan to save sinners by sending His Son to die for us. There had to be a message sent via the telegraph or it would mean nothing. God’s special revelation through prophets was that message sent via God’s telegraph system.

Just as communication methods have progressed from the simple first message sent via telegraph, God’s revelatiion progressed. After centuries of prophets, God spoke through HIs Son. Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ^2 [a]in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.” Now it is the “red letter” words of Jesus (used in the gospels in some Bibles) that tell us even more about the Father and HIs will. He then left the Spirit with His apostles, guiding them to “all truth” and they preached and wrote the rest of the New Testament, leaving us a core of all the truth that we would need to “not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine”. God sill speaks to us through creation and through His word. He even speaks to us in personal ways as we listen for HIs voice.

Well, there you have it. The “Signals” history of God’s communication to us. We live in an amazing time of communication. We also llive in an amazing time of studying God’s communication via HIs word. You can click on biblehub.com and get the Greek or Hebrew for any word in the Bible with its meaning, its cultural usage, different translations of the word, and the places in the Bible where it is used. You can google the internet to get amazing research on any Bible topic.

“What God hath wrought!”