Numbers 7: Balak-2
Blessings to Israel. Proofs concerning the Lost Ten Tribes.
Irrevocable Blessings, In Many oceans, Ruler of the Waves, Material Prosperity, Distributor of Wealth and enabling of well-being to the rest of humanity, Most Powerful Ethnicity in the World, Civilizer of Mankind.
Balak whole portion (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
[Numbers 22:40] AND BALAK OFFERED OXEN AND SHEEP, AND SENT TO
BALAAM, AND TO THE PRINCES THAT WERE WITH HIM.
[Numbers 22:41] AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE MORROW, THAT BALAK TOOK BALAAM, AND
BROUGHT HIM UP INTO THE HIGH PLACES OF BAAL, THAT THENCE HE MIGHT SEE THE UTMOST
PART OF THE PEOPLE.
#THE HIGH PLACES OF BAAL# Balaam
acknowledged the God of Israel as God of all, the ONE GOD. He never denied Him
nor did he openly disobey him. He preached about Him to
Balak.
By sacrificing to Him on the place of Baal, the Commentator
Daat
Sofrim
suggests that Balaam was trying to combine
Baalism
with worship of the True God and even to replace
Baalism
with this worship. It was as if he was offering God the service of
Balak
in place of that of Israel. Balaam initiated #Replacement Theology.# especially
in its Islamic version.
[Numbers 23:1] AND BALAAM SAID UNTO BALAK, BUILD ME HERE SEVEN ALTARS, AND
PREPARE ME HERE SEVEN OXEN AND SEVEN RAMS.
[Numbers 23:2] AND BALAK DID AS BALAAM HAD SPOKEN; AND BALAK AND BALAAM OFFERED
ON EVERY ALTAR A BULLOCK AND A RAM.
[Numbers 23:3] AND BALAAM SAID UNTO BALAK, STAND BY THY BURNT OFFERING, AND I
WILL GO: PERADVENTURE THE LORD WILL COME TO MEET ME: AND WHATSOEVER HE SHEWETH
ME I WILL TELL THEE. AND HE WENT TO AN HIGH PLACE.
[Numbers 23:4] AND GOD MET BALAAM: AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, I HAVE PREPARED SEVEN
ALTARS, AND I HAVE OFFERED UPON EVERY ALTAR A BULLOCK AND A RAM.
BULLOCK in Hebrew "Par" i.e. bull.
Both the bull and the ram are among the symbols of Joseph.
[Numbers 23:5] AND THE LORD PUT A WORD IN BALAAM'S MOUTH, AND SAID, RETURN UNTO
BALAK, AND THUS THOU SHALT SPEAK.
[Numbers 23:6] AND HE RETURNED UNTO HIM, AND, LO, HE STOOD BY HIS BURNT
SACRIFICE, HE, AND ALL THE PRINCES OF MOAB.
[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.
#OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS OF THE EAST#
Oriental Mysticism and Pagan Cults fuel
heathenistic
attitudes against the Bible and against the God of Israel. In India they
practice human sacrifice and persecute their own people who happen to be born in
low castes or considered Untouchables.
From what Balaam blessed we learn what the curse was intended to be.
# CURSE # in Hebrew #Arar#
literally meaning diminish, 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 God in this world. Jacob and Israel need each
other to express themselves. Balaam 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.
We can take this explanation one step
further in line with explanations of Rabbi
Menasseh
Ben Israel and the Malbim.
When Judah and Israel are juxtaposed in Scripture then Judah means the Jews and
Israel the Ten Tribes. At other times #Israel# alone usually means the Ten
Tribes but it can also stand for Judah. The same applies to the name #Jacob#
alone. When #Israel# and #Jacob# are mentioned in the same verse then both Judah
and the Ten Tribes are intended. Which is which in such a case appears to be
debatable and possibly can change according to the context. Things are not as
simple as they may seem. We will have to go through all the relevant verses and
make a thorough analysis.
At all events #Israel# and #Jacob# when mentioned in the same verse can refer
to Judah and Ten Tribes. Both sides need each other to fulfill their own
destinies.
Balaam intended to permanently keep them separated but God refused to allow him.
The Midrash says:
##And you find that Israel will not be
redeemed until they become one unity, as it says,
[Jeremiah 3:18] 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.
Only when they are one unity will they merit receiving the Divine Presence.##
Tanchuma,
Nitzavim,
1;18
In order to curse Israel Balaam needed
to separate Jacob from Israel meaning to create a division between Judah and the
Ten Tribes. He succeeded in part or at least what he intended to do did come to
pass later.
The Separation of Judah from Joseph in some respects is a curse.
It is a bad thing in itself.
It may be that in certain circumstances Judah and Joseph should not link up. We
find cases where Judah was warned not to co-operate with Israel, e.g.
[2-Chronicles 20:37] THEN ELIEZER
THE SON OF DODAVAH
OF MARESHAH
PROPHESIED AGAINST JEHOSHAPHAT,
SAYING, BECAUSE THOU HAST JOINED THYSELF WITH
AHAZIAH,
THE LORD HATH BROKEN THY WORKS. AND THE SHIPS WERE BROKEN, THAT THEY WERE NOT
ABLE TO GO TO TARSHISH.
The Division between Judah and the Ten
Tribes had been intended by Divine Providence for the sake of the Israelites
themselves and of mankind in general.
#The Divine Purpose for the Exile and Division of the Tribes#
http://britam.org/tape3.html
Nevertheless, in general the union of the two entities is desirable in principle
and we should want it to take place.
[Numbers 23:8] HOW SHALL I CURSE, WHOM GOD HATH NOT CURSED? OR HOW SHALL I DEFY,
WHOM THE LORD HATH NOT DEFIED?
[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.
Alone and not with other peoples, not
subject to the same limitations as they are
but above them though bearing heavier responsibilities.
[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!
Innumerous people, very very many.
# THE FOURTH PART. Hebrew "rova"
also connoting offspring.
Immense Multitudes
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Blessings/blessNumbers.html
LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. We are told here that
eventually the People of Israel will repent.
They will become righteous!!
[Numbers 23:11] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, 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 LORD HATH PUT IN MY MOUTH?
s.5
[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.
Balak
supposed that by directing the attention of Balaam to a portion or a particular
aspect of the whole of the people it would be easier to find fault with them and
the Almighty might allow the curse to take effect.
So too, often when misguided souls criticize the Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement or
our beliefs they home in on certain specific points hoping to isolate them
from the overall context and this denigrate the whole of what we stand for! If
you ever have to defend Brit-Am or hear criticisms against Brit-Am beware of our
opponents using this tactic. Do not let them get away with taking points out of
context.
[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.
#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 LORD YONDER.
[Numbers 23:16] AND THE LORD MET BALAAM, 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 LORD
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] GOD 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?
The blessings on the whole at one level
were unconditional and have to be fulfilled.
See Genesis 22:17 #By Myself have I sworn# says God, by Himself,
unconditionally.
[Numbers 23:20] BEHOLD, I HAVE RECEIVED COMMANDMENT TO BLESS: AND HE HATH
BLESSED; AND I CANNOT REVERSE IT.
It cannot be reversed.
[Numbers 23:21] HE HATH NOT BEHELD INIQUITY IN JACOB, NEITHER HATH HE SEEN
PERVERSENESS IN ISRAEL: THE LORD HIS GOD IS WITH HIM, AND THE SHOUT OF A KING IS
AMONG THEM.
The word translated as #shout# is #truah#
which also denotes exultation. #A king# here can be understood to mean God. God
is with him since exultation in God is in his heart (S.R. Hirsch).
[Numbers 23:22] GOD 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 (related to
the European auroch)
that once existed (in AKKADIAN
#RIMU#)
or an antelope BUT the name was also applied to a unicorn. In Mesopotamian and
Egyptian iconography we find unicorns depicted from an early time. #Raem#translated
as unicorn in the Septuagent
(Greek translation) and major early commentators (Saadia
Gaon,
Yehudah
HaLevi,
etc) understood it to mean unicorn. Unicorns were depicted in Egyptian and
Assyrian heraldic emblems. #Unicorn# is how the name was understood. Aside
from the question as to whether unicorns ever existed, it is enough that the
concept was known. The unicorn became the emblem of Scotland: The Scottish coat
of arms has two unicorns. When Scotland united with England the lion and the
unicorn were together on the British coat of arms. The
Midrash
says that #raem#
(unicorn) was the symbol of Joseph. In our passage Israel is likened to a
unicorn. Only in Britain does the unicorn appear as a national
symbol.
Lion and Unicorn
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joUnicorn.html
[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 GOD WROUGHT!
#NO ENCHANTMENT AGAINST JACOB# [lo
Nachash
beYaacov]
may also be interpreted as saying "there is no witchcraft in Jacob".
The source of our strength is from the Almighty. We should remember this and not
give cognizance to lesser powers and elements.
If we cling to God we do not have to fear witchcraft, evil eye, spiritualism,
voodoo, etc. A lot of superstitions may have something in them though some claim
they are all gimmicks etc.
This also applies to psychological complexes and traumas.
Whatever the case we should cling to the Almighty and disregard other powers
whether real or not.
#WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT# Certain things are decreed and will happen no matter
what anybody does.
[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;
above 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. The Jews are
also symbolized by a lion.
[Numbers 23:25] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, NEITHER CURSE THEM AT ALL, NOR BLESS
THEM AT ALL.
It works both ways. In 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 you
think you can benefit from associating with him or her.
[Numbers 23:26] BUT BALAAM ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO BALAK, TOLD NOT I THEE,
SAYING, ALL THAT THE LORD SPEAKETH, THAT I MUST DO?
s.6
[Numbers 23:27] AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, COME, I PRAY THEE, I WILL BRING THEE
UNTO ANOTHER PLACE; PERADVENTURE IT WILL PLEASE GOD THAT THOU MAYEST CURSE ME
THEM FROM THENCE.
[Numbers 23:28] AND BALAK BROUGHT BALAAM UNTO THE TOP OF PEOR, THAT LOOKETH
TOWARD JESHIMON.
PEOR
means #exposure# even indecent exposure or the act of excretion.
JESHIMON
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 Balaam and
Balak
wished to exploit in order to curse Israel.
[Numbers 23:29] AND BALAAM SAID UNTO BALAK, BUILD ME HERE SEVEN ALTARS, AND
PREPARE ME HERE SEVEN BULLOCKS AND SEVEN RAMS.
[Numbers 23:30] AND BALAK DID AS BALAAM HAD SAID, AND OFFERED A BULLOCK AND A
RAM ON EVERY ALTAR.
[Numbers 24:1] AND WHEN BALAAM SAW THAT IT PLEASED THE LORD 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 BALAAM LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND HE SAW ISRAEL ABIDING IN HIS
TENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR TRIBES; AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON HIM.
There is a very deep implication here.
He saw Israel encamped ACCORDING TO THEIR TRIBES and then received Divine
Inspiration!
The Importance of
Israelite Unity
The Commentary Nativot Shalom (Rabbi Shalom Noach Berezovsky of
Slonim 1911-2000):
#HE SAW ISRAEL ABIDING IN HIS TENTS
ACCORDING TO THEIR TRIBES; AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON HIM. He saw Israel
united, together, dwelling according to their tribes, as one entity with one
heart. Obviously Balaam lacked the strength to disconnect them from
cleaving to the Almighty. This is as the Righteous Ones tell us that the pathway
to loving God is through Love of Israel. Jews [i.e. Israelites in general, ed.]
should love each other as it says, THOU
SHALT
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR
AS THYSELF [Leviticus 19:18]. By Israelites dwelling in unity with love and
amity to each other they achieve love of the Almighty. This is the strength that
binds the Jew to God Almighty!....Even after the MOST SERIOUS OF
TRANGRESSIONS
the Israelites have the option of purification through connecting to the source
of purity by uniting together?#
[Numbers 24:3] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, BALAAM 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 GOD, 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 TABERNACLES, O
ISRAEL!
This hints at proper family life. God
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 LORD HATH PLANTED, AND AS CEDAR TREES
BESIDE THE WATERS.
LIGN
ALOES. Hebrew "ahalim".
Onkelos
translates it as "Busmayia"
i.e. a scented garden. Others seem to understand it as the KJ has, a kind of
fragrant wood that grows in China, Thailand, and Northern India.
The Israelites will be settled in rich fertile areas where the geographical
surroundings are conducive to the production of wealth and prosperity.
[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, #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.#
The Israelites will be spread all over the world though usually concentrated in
certain areas. Israel will be a determining factor. He will distribute wealth
and power to others and make decisions affecting them.
AGAG
represents the most powerful ruler in the non-Israelite world. Israel will
surpass his might. Commentators suggested that all the monarchs of
Amalek
were called Agag
in the same way as all the rulers of Egypt were referred to as
Pharoah.
Agag
may derive from the Hebrew "gag" meaning roof or highest point. S.R. Hirsch
indicates that it connotes supreme ruler and is related to the term
Gog
in Ezekiel 38:2.
Similarly we have the title Kaiser and Czar both of which derive from the Roman Caesar.
Julius Caesar was the first Roman Emperor and so all subsequent Emperors were
referred to as Caesar in his honor. De
Gobineau
however in his French-language History of the Persians suggested that the root
KSR
comes from Indo-European sources and connotes ruler. It could also be a form of
Esau whose name may have been pronounced as
KoS.
#Many waters# in all Oceans and on every
sea. A powerful world-encompassing kingdom.
The Lost Ten Tribes shall RULE THE WAVES and be in MANY WATERS
http://www.britam.org/Proof/geo/geoWaters.html
Seafarers
http://www.britam.org/Proof/geo/geoSeaFarers.html
[Numbers 24:8] 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.
A mighty nation defeating all its
enemies. There is hardly a nation in the world that at some stage or other 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. 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?
#ARROWS# missiles.
Be the Dominant World Power
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joDominant.html
[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. Lion and unicorn = symbols
of Britain.
Military Prowess
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joMilitary.html
A Blessing to Others
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Attributes/roleBlessOthers.html
Light to the Nations
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Attributes/roleLight.html
[Numbers 24:10] AND BALAK'S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST BALAAM, AND
HE SMOTE HIS HANDS TOGETHER: AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, 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 LORD HATH KEPT THEE BACK FROM HONOUR.
[Numbers 24:12] AND BALAAM 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 LORD, TO DO EITHER GOOD OR BAD OF MINE
OWN MIND; BUT WHAT THE LORD SAITH, THAT WILL I SPEAK?
s.7
[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, BALAAM 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# (Satoom
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 GOD, 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.
Who is Moab today? One of the European
nations? Bavaria? Austria? Poland? Lithuania? Latvia? Ukraine? Part of the
population of Japan?
#Children of Seth# is explained to mean all of mankind. Seth was a son of Adam
and Eve. I would look for an alternative explanation.
[Numbers 24:18] AND EDOM SHALL BE A POSSESSION, SEIR ALSO SHALL BE A POSSESSION
FOR HIS ENEMIES; AND ISRAEL SHALL DO VALIANTLY.
Edom and
Seir
are usually taken to be different names for the same entity. 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 is in control of elite groups partially
descended from Edomites.
Only the seed of Joseph is capable of defeating Edom and they have proven
themselves capable of that.
Joseph Defeats Esau
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joEdom.html
[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.
This verse may be interpreted
differently as the Rabbinical Commentators have done:
Rashi:
##EVEN IF YOU SHALL BE WIPED AWAY
KEIN
FOR A PERIOD WHEN ASHUR
[ASSYRIA] TAKES YOU CAPTIVE [YOU SHALL RETURN WITH THE TEN TRIBES!##
The Kenites
here are those who were to convert together with
Jethro
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
and were much darker than most Israelites. Who could they be today?
[Numbers 24:23] AND HE TOOK UP HIS PARABLE, AND SAID, ALAS, WHO SHALL LIVE WHEN
GOD 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.
We have no clear solution to propose for
this verse but may only make remarks that could help others.
#Chittim#
often identified as a place in Cyprus but Jewish tradition from very early times
identified #Chittim#
with the Romans.
Harold Hemenway
(#Is the Bible Racist?#) identified part of the Southern Chinese and Japanese as
Chittim.
The Chinese and Japanese together nowadays probably do have as many (or more)
boats than any other major world grouping.
Asshur
is Assyria meaning part of Europe, usually part of Germany and Austria.
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.
The possibility exists that EBER
here represents another entity.
[Numbers 24:25] AND BALAAM ROSE UP, AND WENT AND RETURNED TO HIS PLACE: AND
BALAK ALSO WENT HIS WAY.
Balaam was later captured and killed by
the Israelites as it says in the Book of Joshua:
[Joshua 13:15] AND MOSES GAVE UNTO THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF REUBEN
INHERITANCE ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES.
[Joshua 13:16] AND THEIR COAST WAS FROM ?..[Joshua 13:20] AND BETH-PEOR?.
[Joshua 13:21] 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.
[Joshua 13:22] BALAAM ALSO THE SON OF
BEOR,
THE SOOTHSAYER, DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SLAY WITH THE SWORD AMONG THEM THAT
WERE SLAIN BY THEM.
The Moabites were also punished:
[Deuteronomy 23:3] AN AMMONITE OR MOABITE SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION
OF THE LORD; EVEN TO THEIR TENTH GENERATION SHALL THEY NOT ENTER INTO THE
CONGREGATION OF THE LORD FOR EVER:
[Deuteronomy 23:4] 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 BALAAM
THE SON OF BEOR
OF PETHOR
OF MESOPOTAMIA, TO CURSE THEE.
[Deuteronomy 23:5] NEVERTHELESS THE LORD THY GOD WOULD NOT HEARKEN UNTO BALAAM;
BUT THE LORD THY GOD TURNED THE CURSE INTO A BLESSING UNTO THEE, BECAUSE THE
LORD THY GOD LOVED THEE.
[Deuteronomy 23:6] THOU SHALT
NOT SEEK THEIR PEACE NOR THEIR PROSPERITY ALL THY DAYS FOR EVER.
This decree applied to the males but not to the females. That is why Ruth the
Moabitess
could be accepted and from her descended King David.
Loyalty to David is Required: Ruth and the Oral Tradition
http://britam.org/DavidandOralLaw.html
cf. [Joshua 24:9] THEN
BALAK
THE SON OF ZIPPOR,
KING OF MOAB, AROSE AND WARRED AGAINST ISRAEL, AND SENT AND CALLED BALAAM THE
SON OF BEOR
TO CURSE YOU:
[Joshua 24:10] BUT I WOULD NOT HEARKEN UNTO BALAAM; THEREFORE HE BLESSED YOU
STILL: SO I DELIVERED YOU OUT OF HIS HAND.
Our portion continues:
[Numbers 25:1] AND ISRAEL ABODE IN SHITTIM, AND THE PEOPLE BEGAN TO COMMIT
WHOREDOM WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF MOAB.
This was done at the advice of Balaam.
As it says later: #AND MOSES SAID UNTO THEM, HAVE YE SAVED ALL THE WOMEN ALIVE
BEHOLD, THESE CAUSED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THROUGH THE COUNSEL OF BALAAM, TO
COMMIT TRESPASS AGAINST THE LORD IN THE MATTER OF
PEOR,
AND THERE WAS A PLAGUE AMONG THE CONGREGATION OF THE LORD# [Numbers
31:15-16].
[Numbers 25:2] AND THEY CALLED THE PEOPLE UNTO THE SACRIFICES OF THEIR GODS: AND
THE PEOPLE DID EAT, AND BOWED DOWN TO THEIR GODS.
[Numbers 25:3] AND ISRAEL JOINED HIMSELF UNTO BAALPEOR: AND THE ANGER OF THE
LORD WAS KINDLED AGAINST ISRAEL.
[Numbers 25:4] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, TAKE ALL THE HEADS OF THE PEOPLE,
AND HANG THEM UP BEFORE THE LORD AGAINST THE SUN, THAT THE FIERCE ANGER OF THE
LORD MAY BE TURNED AWAY FROM ISRAEL.
[Numbers 25:5] AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL, SLAY YE EVERY ONE HIS
MEN THAT WERE JOINED UNTO BAALPEOR.
[Numbers 25:6] AND, BEHOLD, ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CAME AND BROUGHT UNTO
HIS BRETHREN A MIDIANITISH WOMAN IN THE SIGHT OF MOSES, AND IN THE SIGHT OF ALL
THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHO WERE WEEPING BEFORE THE DOOR OF
THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.
[Numbers 25:7] AND WHEN PHINEHAS, THE SON OF ELEAZAR, THE SON OF AARON THE
PRIEST, SAW IT, HE ROSE UP FROM AMONG THE CONGREGATION, AND TOOK A JAVELIN IN
HIS HAND;
[Numbers 25:8] AND HE WENT AFTER THE MAN OF ISRAEL INTO THE TENT, AND THRUST
BOTH OF THEM THROUGH, THE MAN OF ISRAEL, AND THE WOMAN THROUGH HER BELLY. SO THE
PLAGUE WAS STAYED FROM THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
Pinchas
[Phineas]
stopped the plague by killing the male and female guilty parties. Balaam had
given the Midianites
and Moabites the advice to prostitute their womenfolk and seduce the
Israelites. Consequently he was put to death when he fell into Israelite
hands.
[Joshua 13:22] BALAAM ALSO THE SON OF
BEOR,
THE SOOTHSAYER, DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SLAY WITH THE SWORD AMONG THEM THAT
WERE SLAIN BY THEM.
[Numbers 25:9] AND THOSE THAT DIED IN THE PLAGUE WERE TWENTY AND FOUR THOUSAND.
This event is recalled in Psalms:
[Psalms 106:28] THEY JOINED THEMSELVES ALSO UNTO
BAALPEOR,
AND ATE THE SACRIFICES OF THE DEAD.
[Psalms 106:29] THUS THEY PROVOKED HIM TO ANGER WITH THEIR INVENTIONS: AND THE
PLAGUE BRAKE IN UPON THEM.
[Psalms 106:30] THEN STOOD UP
PHINEHAS, AND EXECUTED JUDGMENT:
AND SO THE PLAGUE WAS STAYED.
[Psalms 106:31] AND THAT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ALL
GENERATIONS FOR EVERMORE.
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