The Staff of Moses
CHAPTER SIX:
THE CURSES THAT BECAME BLESSINGS
Numbers chapters 23 to 24
BILAAM PROPHESIES
Balak, the King of Moab, had induced Bilaam to come to a spot overlookingthe camp of Israel.Bilaam was expected to curse the Israelites, as he indeed intended to.
The Division Between Judah and “Joseph” is a Curse!
[Numbers 23:7] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, BALAK THE KING OF MOAB HATH BROUGHT ME FROM ARAM, OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS OF THE EAST, SAYING, COME, CURSE ME JACOB, AND COME, DEFY ISRAEL.
From what Bilaam blessed, we learn what the curse was intended to be.
<<CURSE>>: In Hebrew “Arar” means curse but is derived from a root connoting diminish, or weaken.
“Jacob” says Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch represents the weaker, material aspect of Israel. Jacob is the smallest of all nations, and the weakest amongst them.
“ Israel” represents the rule of G-d in this world. Jacob and Israel need each other to express themselves. Bilaam knew he could not destroy Israel so he hoped (says Rabbi Hirsch) to permanently prevent the two aspects, “Jacob” and “ Israel” from acting in unison.
<<CURSE ME JACOB, AND COME, DEFY ISRAEL>>: Rabbi Hirsch explained this to mean: Diminish the power of Jacob to express himself also as Israel.
When Judah and Israel are juxtaposed in Scripture, “ Judah” means the Jews and “ Israel” the Ten Tribes. At other times, the name “ Israel” alone usually means all the tribes of Israel together or the Ten Tribes without Judah. “ Israel” can also stand for Judah on his own, as found frequently in the Books of Ezra (e.g. 6:21) and Ezekiel (e.g. 2:3). The same applies to the name “Jacob” alone. When “ Israel” and “Jacob” are mentioned together in the same verse, then both the Jews (Judah) and the Ten Tribes are intended. Who is who, in such a case, appears to be debatable and possibly can change according to the context. The Malbim, in such an instance, identifies “ Israel” as Judah and “Jacob” as the Ten Tribes. Things, however, are not as simple as they may seem. Other sources indicate the opposite, that when Jacob and Israel are mentioned together then “ Israel” means the Lost Ten tribes and “Jacob” refers to Judah. This would be the logical conclusion if we take into consideration that in other instances “Jacob” is apposite with Judah e. g. “THOU HAST WITH THINE ARM REDEEMED THY PEOPLE, THE SONS OF JACOB AND JOSEPH. SELAH” [Psalms 77:15] cf. “THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND OF JUDAH” [2-Samuel 12:8]. We do however find passages where “Jacob” appears to apply to all the Tribes of Israel, e.g. <AND HE SAID, IT IS A LIGHT THING THAT THOU SHOULDEST BE MY SERVANT TO RAISE UP THE TRIBES OF JACOB, AND TO RESTORE THE PRESERVED OF ISRAEL: I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT THOU MAYEST BE MY SALVATION UNTO THE END OF THE EARTH [Isaiah 49:6]. In each case we have to decide according to the context.
Manasseh Ben Israel (Conciliator, Genesis Question 57) quotes earlier authorities:
According to Rabbi Jacob ben Habib and Rabbi Abraham Sabah, he [the patriarch Jacob] obtained both names: that of Jacob, representing the captivity of his descendants, and that they would be trod on by other monarchies; and of Israel, signifying the command and empire they will possess in the latter days.
In this respect “Jacob” would stand at some level for Judah in Exile and “Israel” would signify the Lost Ten Tribes.
In any event, “ Israel” and “Jacob” when mentioned together in the same verse can refer to the Ten Tribes together with Judah. Both sides need each other to fulfill their own and their mutual destinies.
Bilaam intended to permanently keep the two aspects of Israel separated from each other but G-d refused to allow this.
The Midrash says:
<<And you find that Israel will not be redeemed until they become one unity, as it says,
“IN THOSE DAYS THE HOUSE OF JUDAH SHALL GO UNTO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL , AND THEY SHALL COME TOGETHER OUT OF THE LAND OF THE NORTH TO THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN FOR AN INHERITANCE UNTO YOUR FATHERS” [Jeremiah 3:18].
Only when they are one unity will they merit receiving the Divine Presence.>> Tanchuma, Nitzavim, 1;18
[Numbers 23:8] HOW SHALL I CURSE, WHOM G-D HATH NOT CURSED? OR HOW SHALL I DEFY, WHOM THE L-RD HATH NOT DEFIED?
Israel Will Be Separate From Other Nations
[Numbers 23:9] FOR FROM THE TOP OF THE ROCKS I SEE HIM, AND FROM THE HILLS I BEHOLD HIM: LO, THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE, AND SHALL NOT BE RECKONED AMONG THE NATIONS.
Israel is to be alone and not with other peoples. Israel is not subject to the same limitations as they are, but rather, above them though bearing heavier responsibilities. Britain and after her, the USA in a sense did retain a certain separateness in regard to other peoples.
Virgil (ca. 70-19 BCE) said about the British Celts:
“The Britons-
A race of men from all the world disjoin’d” –Eccl.i;6 ¿
Shakespeare:
“I, the world’s volume
Our Britain seems as of it but not in it”. – Cymbelline iii.4
Napoleon concerning Britain:
“The real enemy of them all [i.e. The Continental nations] was that perfidious power which, having nothing in common with European nations but its situation...”
The Seed of Israel Shall Be Uncountable for Multitude
[Numbers 23:10] WHO CAN COUNT THE DUST OF JACOB, AND THE NUMBER OF THE FOURTH PART OF ISRAEL? LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND LET MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS!
Israel shall become a people so numerous that they cannot be numbered. They shall be very, very many.
The “Power-Aspect” of Israel Was Unconditional!
[Numbers 23:11] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BILAAM, WHAT HAST THOU DONE UNTO ME? I TOOK THEE TO CURSE MINE ENEMIES, AND, BEHOLD, THOU HAST BLESSED THEM ALTOGETHER.
[Numbers 23:12] AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID, MUST I NOT TAKE HEED TO SPEAK THAT WHICH THE L-RD HATH PUT IN MY MOUTH?
[Numbers 23:13] AND BALAK SAID UNTO HIM, COME, I PRAY THEE, WITH ME UNTO ANOTHER PLACE, FROM WHENCE THOU MAYEST SEE THEM: THOU SHALT SEE BUT THE UTMOST PART OF THEM, AND SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL: AND CURSE ME THEM FROM THENCE.
[Numbers 23:14] AND HE BROUGHT HIM INTO THE FIELD OF ZOPHIM, TO THE TOP OF PISGAH, AND BUILT SEVEN ALTARS, AND OFFERED A BULLOCK AND A RAM ON EVERY ALTAR.
<<THE FIELD OF ZOPHIM>>: “ZOPHIM” in Hebrew means “seers”. In Biblical Hebrew the word can mean prophet. In Modern Hebrew the Boy Scouts are also called “Zophim” (or “Tsophim”) since the word also has the meaning of “scouts”.
<<THE TOP OF PISGAH>>: “Pisgah” means the topmost height, summit.
[Numbers 23:15] AND HE SAID UNTO BALAK, STAND HERE BY THY BURNT OFFERING, WHILE I MEET THE L-RD YONDER.
[Numbers 23:16] AND THE L-RD MET BILAAM, AND PUT A WORD IN HIS MOUTH, AND SAID, GO AGAIN UNTO BALAK, AND SAY THUS.
[Numbers 23:17] AND WHEN HE CAME TO HIM, BEHOLD, HE STOOD BY HIS BURNT OFFERING, AND THE PRINCES OF MOAB WITH HIM. AND BALAK SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT HATH THE L-RD SPOKEN?
[Numbers 23:18] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, RISE UP, BALAK, AND HEAR; HEARKEN UNTO ME, THOU SON OF ZIPPOR:
[Numbers 23:19] G-D IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE; NEITHER THE SON OF MAN, THAT HE SHOULD REPENT: HATH HE SAID, AND SHALL HE NOT DO IT? OR HATH HE SPOKEN, AND SHALL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD?
<<G-D IS NOT A MAN, THAT HE SHOULD LIE; NEITHER THE SON OF MAN, THAT HE SHOULD REPENT>>: The blessings on the whole at one level are unconditional and have to be fulfilled. See Genesis 22;17, “By Myself have I sworn” says G-d, by Himself, unconditionally.
[Numbers 23:20] BEHOLD, I HAVE RECEIVED COMMANDMENT TO BLESS: AND HE HATH BLESSED; AND I CANNOT REVERSE IT.
The blessings cannot be reversed.
[Numbers 23:21] HE HATH NOT BEHELD INIQUITY IN JACOB, NEITHER HATH HE SEEN PERVERSENESS IN ISRAEL: THE L-RD HIS G-D IS WITH HIM, AND THE SHOUT OF A KING IS AMONG THEM.
<<HE HATH NOT BEHELD INIQUITY IN JACOB>>: We transgress and G-d punishes us at one level. From another point of view, G-d does not necessarily always count our iniquities as a group. As long as the Tribe fulfils its own peculiar task, it may be that the Almighty overlooks the failings of its individual constituents.
<<THE SHOUT OF A KING>>: The word translated as “shout” is “teruah” which also denotes “exultation”. “A king” here can be understood to mean G-d. G-d is with him since exultation in G-d is in his heart (S.R. Hirsch).
The Unicorn is a Symbol of Israel
[Numbers 23:22] G-D BROUGHT THEM OUT OF EGYPT; HE HATH AS IT WERE THE STRENGTH OF AN UNICORN.
A unicorn – In Hebrew “raem”: A “raem” is sometimes described as a kind of ancient giant buffalo-like bull or auroch (in AKKADIAN “RIMU”) that once existed or “raem” means antelope, BUT the name was also applied to a unicorn. The Hebrew “raem” is translated as “unicorn” in the Septuagent (Greek translation) and major early commentators (Saadia Gaon, Yehudah Ha Levi, etc) understood “raem” to mean unicorn. Unicorns were depicted in Egyptian and Assyrian heraldic emblems. “Unicorn” is what the name “raem” was understood to mean. This is aside from the question as to whether unicorns ever existed. It is enough that the concept of a “unicorn” was known. The Midrash says that “raem” (unicorn) was the symbol of Manasseh. In our passage Israel is likened to a unicorn. Only in Scotland and Britain does the unicorn appear as a national symbol.
[Numbers 23:23] SURELY THERE IS NO ENCHANTMENT AGAINST JACOB, NEITHER IS THERE ANY DIVINATION AGAINST ISRAEL: ACCORDING TO THIS TIME IT SHALL BE SAID OF JACOB AND OF ISRAEL, WHAT HATH G-D WROUGHT!
<<NO ENCHANTMENT AGAINST JACOB>>: If we cling to G-d we do not have to fear witchcraft, the evil eye, spiritualism, voodoo, etc. A lot of superstitions may have something in them though some claim they are all gimmicks, etc. Whatever the case we should cling to the Almighty and disregard other powers whether real or not. “Enchantment” could also mean harmful psychological and social pressures, and popular prejudices.
<<WHAT HATH G-D WROUGHT>>: Certain things are decreed and will happen no matter what anybody does.
The Unicorn & Lion Represent Israelas a Great Nation
[Numbers 23:24] BEHOLD, THE PEOPLE SHALL RISE UP AS A GREAT LION, AND LIFT UP HIMSELF AS A YOUNG LION: HE SHALL NOT LIE DOWN UNTIL HE EAT OF THE PREY, AND DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE SLAIN.
Here we have Israel likened to a lion. In the verse above ( 23:22) Israel was likened to a unicorn. The lion and the unicorn feature on the British national coat of arms as the official symbol of Britain. Judah (Genesis 49:10), Gad (Deuteronomy 33:20), and Dan (Deuteronomy 33:22) are also symbolized by a lion. The remnant of Jacob is likened to a lion:
<AND THE REMNANT OF JACOB SHALL BE AMONG THE GENTILES IN THE MIDST OF MANY PEOPLE AS A LION AMONG THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST, AS A YOUNG LION AMONG THE FLOCKS OF SHEEP: WHO, IF HE GO THROUGH, BOTH TREADETH DOWN, AND TEARETH IN PIECES, AND NONE CAN DELIVER.
<THINE HAND SHALL BE LIFTED UP UPON THINE ADVERSARIES, AND ALL THINE ENEMIES SHALL BE CUT OFF> [Micah 5:8-9].
[Numbers 23:25] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BILAAM, NEITHER CURSE THEM AT ALL, NOR BLESS THEM AT ALL.
It works both ways. In the Book of Proverbs it says that the kindness of a wicked person is cruel.
<A RIGHTEOUS MAN REGARDETH THE LIFE OF HIS BEAST: BUT THE TENDER MERCIES OF THE WICKED ARE CRUEL> [Proverbs 12:10]. Sometimes it is better not to have anything to do with a bad person even if the individual has some good qualities and you think you can benefit from associating with him or her.
[Numbers 23:26] BUT BILAAM ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO BALAK, TOLD NOT I THEE, SAYING, ALL THAT THE L-RD SPEAKETH, THAT I MUST DO?
[Numbers 23:27] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BILAAM, COME, I PRAY THEE, I WILL BRING THEE UNTO ANOTHER PLACE; PERADVENTURE IT WILL PLEASE G-D THAT THOU MAYEST CURSE ME THEM FROM THENCE.
[Numbers 23:28] AND BALAK BROUGHT BILAAM UNTO THE TOP OF PEOR, THAT LOOKETH TOWARD JESHIMON.
<<PEOR>>: Means “exposure” even indecent exposure or the act of excretion. A type of pagan worship required defecation in front of the idol.
<<JESHIMON>>: This is another term for wilderness especially a wild untamed bleakish wilderness. The names used in this portion are those of the places concerned but they also hint at aspects of existence that Bilaam and Balak wished to exploit in order to curse Israel.
[Numbers 23:29] AND BILAAM SAID UNTO BALAK, BUILD ME HERE SEVEN ALTARS, AND PREPARE ME HERE SEVEN BULLOCKS AND SEVEN RAMS.
[Numbers 23:30] AND BALAK DID AS BILAAM HAD SAID, AND OFFERED A BULLOCK AND A RAM ON EVERY ALTAR.
Israel Will Be Blessed With Great Physical Bounty
[Numbers 24:1] AND WHEN BILAAM SAW THAT IT PLEASED THE L-RD TO BLESS ISRAEL, HE WENT NOT, AS AT OTHER TIMES, TO SEEK FOR ENCHANTMENTS, BUT HE SET HIS FACE TOWARD THE WILDERNESS.
[Numbers 24:2] AND BILAAM LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND HE SAW ISRAEL ABIDING IN HIS TENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR TRIBES; AND THE SPIRIT OF G-D CAME UPON HIM.
[Numbers 24:3] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, BILAAM THE SON OF BEOR HATH SAID, AND THE MAN WHOSE EYES ARE OPEN HATH SAID:
[Numbers 24:4] HE HATH SAID, WHICH HEARD THE WORDS OF G-D, WHICH SAW THE VISION OF THE ALMIGHTY, FALLING INTO A TRANCE, BUT HAVING HIS EYES OPEN:
[Numbers 24:5] HOW GOODLY ARE THY TENTS, O JACOB, AND THY DWELLING PLACES, O ISRAEL!
This hints at proper family life. G-d wants the Israelites to live well and properly. This is good at the individual level and ensures national vitality and survival.
[Numbers 24:6] AS THE VALLEYS ARE THEY SPREAD FORTH, AS GARDENS BY THE RIVER'S SIDE, AS THE TREES OF LIGN ALOES WHICH THE L-RD HATH PLANTED, AND AS CEDAR TREES BESIDE THE WATERS.
They will be settled in rich fertile areas where the geographical surroundings are conducive to the production of wealth and prosperity.
Israel Will Be the Most Powerful People in the World!
[Numbers 24:7] 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.
<<POUR THE WATER OUT OF HIS BUCKETS>>: The commentator, Rabbi Naphtali Zvi Berlin (“The Natziv”), on this verse brings a tradition concerning a partial exile of Israelites even before the Assyrian Conquest and Exile of the Ten Tribes. He says: “In the time of the Judges there were many wars and many were expelled amongst the peoples of the world.”
“AGAG” represents the most powerful ruler in the non-Israelite world. Israel will surpass his might. The verse hints at a great international confrontation of existing world powers in the End Days. The Lost Tribes of Israel in the Last Days must be world powers.
<<MANY WATERS>>: The seed of Israel will be found in all Oceans and on every sea. The descendants of Israel will become a powerful world-encompassing kingdom.
[Numbers 24:8] G-D 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.
The Descendants of Israel (especially Joseph) will become a mighty nation defeating all its enemies. There is hardly a nation in the world that at some stage or another was not defeated in battle by Britain and/or the USA. Again we have the symbol of the Unicorn. The Midrash (Numbers Rabah 2;7) says that the unicorn is the symbol of Manasseh. It is true that the unicorn is now part of the symbolic coat of arms of the UK, but they derived it from Scotland which has two unicorns on its standard. Migrants from Scotland and of Scottish descent from Ulster became dominant in the USA. All Presidents of the USA, except perhaps three, were of Scoth-Irish origin. The USA is dominated by Manasseh. Is the above verse hinting that Manasseh (symbolized by the unicorn) would end up being the most powerful tribe? This is the case today. The USA is the most powerful nation on earth and in many ways the greatest military power that has ever existed.
American Military Might
An article in the Washington Post, October 14, 2002 (Max Boot, Doctrine of the 'Big Enchilada'), reported that:
< The United States spends more on its military than the next dozen or so nations combined. This has bought unparalleled strength in every facet of warfare -- full-spectrum dominance, in Pentagon lingo -- that far surpasses the capabilities of such previous would-be hegemons as Rome , Britain and Napoleonic France … America spends about twice as much on defence as the entire European Union ($295 billion in 2000, or 3% of GDP, compared with the EU's $153 billion), thus maintaining its preponderant military might.>
<<ARROWS>> i.e. missiles.
[Numbers 24:9] 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.
Again a lion. The lion and unicorn are symbols of Britain. The USA and Britain from an international geo-political and military aspect are in many respects one combined entity.
Balak Expels Bilaam
[Numbers 24:10] AND BALAK'S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST BILAAM, AND HE SMOTE HIS HANDS TOGETHER: AND BALAK SAID UNTO BILAAM, I CALLED THEE TO CURSE MINE ENEMIES, AND, BEHOLD, THOU HAST ALTOGETHER BLESSED THEM THESE THREE TIMES.
[Numbers 24:11] THEREFORE NOW FLEE THOU TO THY PLACE: I THOUGHT TO PROMOTE THEE UNTO GREAT HONOUR; BUT, LO, THE L-RD HATH KEPT THEE BACK FROM HONOUR.
[Numbers 24:12] AND BILAAM SAID UNTO BALAK, SPAKE I NOT ALSO TO THY MESSENGERS WHICH THOU SENTEST UNTO ME, SAYING,
[Numbers 24:13] IF BALAK WOULD GIVE ME HIS HOUSE FULL OF SILVER AND GOLD, I CANNOT GO BEYOND THE COMMANDMENT OF THE L-RD, TO DO EITHER GOOD OR BAD OF MINE OWN MIND; BUT WHAT THE L-RD SAITH, THAT WILL I SPEAK?
The Latter Times Foreseen
[Numbers 24:14] AND NOW, BEHOLD, I GO UNTO MY PEOPLE: COME THEREFORE, AND I WILL ADVERTISE THEE WHAT THIS PEOPLE SHALL DO TO THY PEOPLE IN THE LATTER DAYS.
[Numbers 24:15] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, BILAAM THE SON OF BEOR HATH SAID, AND THE MAN WHOSE EYES ARE OPEN HATH SAID:
In Hebrew, the words translated as “WHOSE EYES ARE OPEN” (“Stum Ha-Ayin”), can also be rendered as “having a blind eye”. Odin , the Nordic god, also had only one eye. He had sacrificed the other eye in order to obtain the knowledge of magic.
[Numbers 24:16] HE HATH SAID, WHICH HEARD THE WORDS OF G-D, 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 24:17] I SHALL SEE HIM, BUT NOT NOW: I SHALL BEHOLD HIM, BUT NOT NIGH: THERE SHALL COME A STAR OUT OF JACOB, AND A SCEPTRE SHALL RISE OUT OF ISRAEL, AND SHALL SMITE THE CORNERS OF MOAB, AND DESTROY ALL THE CHILDREN OF SHETH.
<<THE CORNERS OF MOAB>> Who is Moab today? One of the European nations? Bavaria? Austria? Poland? Ukraine? Part of the population of Japan?
<<ALL THE CHILDREN OF SHETH>>: “Sheth” is “Seth” the son of Adam and Eve who was born after Cain slew Abel [Genesis 4:25]. Seth would therefore represent mankind in general.
Israel Will Conquer Germany
[Numbers 24:18] AND EDOM SHALL BE A POSSESSION, SEIR ALSO SHALL BE A POSSESSION FOR HIS ENEMIES; AND ISRAEL SHALL DO VALIANTLY.
This is explained to mean that Israel will inherit the territory of Edom. It could also mean that Israel will inherit the power and position of Edom. Much of the non-Israelite world and part of the Israelite one today, is in the control of elite groups partially descended from Edomites. “ Edom” as a nation is best represented by modern Germany and Austria. The elite of Germany is in part descended from Esau and their will became the historical Germanic ambitions. Germany has been conquered several times over by descendants of Israel. At first it was the Angles, Saxons, Goths, and related peoples who overran Germany before moving on. Then, in the Thirty years War, France and Sweden overran Germany. Then again, after the First and Second World Wars, Germany was occupied by the Israelite Allies.
[Numbers 24:19] OUT OF JACOB SHALL COME HE THAT SHALL HAVE DOMINION, AND SHALL DESTROY HIM THAT REMAINETH OF THE CITY.
[Numbers 24:20] AND WHEN HE LOOKED ON AMALEK, HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, AMALEK WAS THE FIRST OF THE NATIONS; BUT HIS LATTER END SHALL BE THAT HE PERISH FOR EVER.
[Numbers 24:21] AND HE LOOKED ON THE KENITES, AND TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, STRONG IS THY DWELLINGPLACE, AND THOU PUTTEST THY NEST IN A ROCK.
[Numbers 24:22] NEVERTHELESS THE KENITE SHALL BE WASTED, UNTIL ASSHUR SHALL CARRY THEE AWAY CAPTIVE.
The Kenites here, are those who were to convert together with Jethro the father-in-law of Moses, and attach themselves to the Children of Israel. They always remained as a somewhat separate group. They were exiled by the Assyrians with the Ten Tribes. They are destined to return with them (Rashi). Traditionally, the Kenites were derived from Midian. Who could they be today? The Druse people revere Jethro and claim to be related to both the Jews and the British. They serve in the Israeli Armed Forces and have a reputation for dedication and bravery. On the other hand the Kenites were descended from Midianites who are usually assumed to have been dark, whereas the Druse are a white people.
[Numbers 24:23] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, ALAS, WHO SHALL LIVE WHEN G-D DOETH THIS!
[Numbers 24:24] AND SHIPS SHALL COME FROM THE COAST OF CHITTIM, AND SHALL AFFLICT ASSHUR, AND SHALL AFFLICT EBER, AND HE ALSO SHALL PERISH FOR EVER.
“Chittim” is often identified as a place in Cyprus, but Jewish tradition from very early times identified “Chittim” with the Macedonian Greeks and Romans. Harold Hemenway (“Is the Bible Racist?” 1995) identified part of the Southern Chinese (Ancient Cathay) and Japanese as Chittim. Today, the Chinese and Japanese together probably do have as many (or more) boats than any other major world grouping. Will there be some last great sea battle or sea-borne invasion?
Asshur is Assyria meaning part of Europe, usually part of Germany and Austria. Edomites, Canaanites, Israelites at one stage, and descendants of Magog and of Gomer son of Japhet all settled in Germany. So did descendants of the Assyrians.
There is a tradition that Assyrians settled in parts of Germany: Josef K. L. Bihl (“In Deutschen Landen,” page 69): “ Trier was founded by Trebeta, a son of the famous Assyrian King Ninus.” “The inhabitants of Trier maintain that their city is the oldest in all Europe.”
<<AND SHALL AFFLICT EBER>>: Eber probably means the Israelite Hebrews. The Celtic British and Irish and at least part of the other Celtic peoples called themselves “Iberi” and are so listed in the Geography of Ptolemy. “Iberi” means Hebrews.
Retribution
[Numbers 24:25] AND BILAAM ROSE UP, AND WENT AND RETURNED TO HIS PLACE: AND BALAK ALSO WENT HIS WAY.
Balak king of Moab together with the Princes of Midian had hired Bilaam. The Tribe of Reuben later conquered much of Midian. Bilaam was killed by Israelites as it says in the Book of Joshua:
<<AND MOSES GAVE UNTO THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN INHERITANCE ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES>> [Joshua 13:15].
<<AND ALL THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE KINGDOM OF SIHON KING OF THE AMORITES, WHICH REIGNED IN HESHBON, WHOM MOSES SMOTE WITH THE PRINCES OF MIDIAN, EVI, AND REKEM, AND ZUR, AND HUR, AND REBA, WHICH WERE DUKES OF SIHON, DWELLING IN THE COUNTRY.
<<BILAAM ALSO THE SON OF BEOR, THE SOOTHSAYER, DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SLAY WITH THE SWORD AMONG THEM THAT WERE SLAIN BY THEM>> [Joshua 13:21-22].
The Moabites were also punished:
<AN AMMONITE OR MOABITE SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE L-RD; EVEN TO THEIR TENTH GENERATION SHALL THEY NOT ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE L-RD FOR EVER:
<BECAUSE THEY MET YOU NOT WITH BREAD AND WITH WATER IN THE WAY, WHEN YE CAME FORTH OUT OF EGYPT; AND BECAUSE THEY HIRED AGAINST THEE BILAAM THE SON OF BEOR OF PETHOR OF MESOPOTAMIA, TO CURSE THEE.
<NEVERTHELESS THE L-RD THY G-D WOULD NOT HEARKEN UNTO BILAAM; BUT THE L-RD THY G-D TURNED THE CURSE INTO A BLESSING UNTO THEE, BECAUSE THE L-RD THY G-D LOVED THEE.
<THOU SHALT NOT SEEK THEIR PEACE NOR THEIR PROSPERITY ALL THY DAYS FOR EVER> Deuteronomy 23:2-5].
The decree against accepting an Ammonite or Moabite into the congregation of Israel applied to the males but not to the females. That is why Ruth the Moabitess could be later accepted and from her descended King David.
The Book of Joshua also recalls the attempts of Balak and Bilaam to curse Israel:
<THEN BALAK THE SON OF ZIPPOR, KING OF MOAB, AROSE AND WARRED AGAINST ISRAEL, AND SENT AND CALLED BILAAM THE SON OF BEOR TO CURSE YOU:
<BUT I WOULD NOT HEARKEN UNTO BILAAM; THEREFORE HE BLESSED YOU STILL: SO I DELIVERED YOU OUT OF HIS HAND> [Joshua 24:9-10].
Bilaam had attempted to curse the People of Israel but was forced to bless them. His desire to permanently separate Joseph from Judah will not materialize. He prophesied that Israel: would become an enormously great nation with innumerable descendants; possess great material prosperity; a presence in many seas; be the greatest military power in the world; be likened unto a lion and unicorn; fight wars on a world-wide scale and conquer Edom and other nations in the Last Days. The Israelite Nations of the West, especially North America, Britain, and Australia have fulfilled these criteria.
References:
¿ “Plenitus toto divisos orbe Britannos” quotations from Charles A. L. Totten, “The Romance of History. Lost Israel Found”, USA, 1890