Numbers, 24
23. And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
23. And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
In Chapter 24 of the Book of Numbers, we see the conclusion of the story of Balaam, a pagan prophet who was hired by King Balaque to curse the people of Israel. However, instead, Balaam was inspired by the Spirit of God and ended up blessing the people of Israel three times. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in numbers 24:
Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; all the families of the earth will be blessed." This verse is quoted by Balaam in his third blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 24:9) and shows how God had promised to bless those who bless the people of Israel and curse those who cursed them.
Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man to lie, nor the son of man to repent. He speaks and stops acting? This verse, quoted by Balaam in his second blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 23:19-20), highlights God's faithfulness and veracity to fulfill his promises, including his promises to the people of Israel.
Numbers 24:17-"I will see him, but not now; I will contemplate him, but not closely. A star will leave Jacob; a scepter will rise from Israel." This verse is part of Balaam's third blessing to the people of Israel and is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, which would be fulfilled at the birth of Jesus Christ, descendant of Jacob and King of Israel.
Deuteronomy 23:4-5 - "Do not seek peace or their prosperity while they live. They do not stop their progress or give them help." These verses are a reference to the curse that Balaam tried to cast upon the people of Israel, who eventually became blessing (Numbers 24:10-11). Here God commands the Israelites to do no covenants or friendships with the Ammonites and the Moabites, for they had refused to help the Israelites on their journey through the desert.
Revelation 2:14 - "However, some things I have against you: there are those who follow the doctrine of Balaam, which taught Balaque to arm itts against the Israelites, inducing them to eat idol foods and to commit sexual immorality. " This verse, part of Jesus' message to the Church of Pergamum, refers to the story of Balaam and warns Christians about the danger of following teachings that resemble those of Balaam, who tried to curse God's people.
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