Numbers 23 THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE There are those who have wondered how the prophecies of Balaam have found their way into the Hebrew scriptures of the Pentateuch. In the Middle East it was a common practice to commit events and important things that were taught, into both the oral and written form of communication. This was an on-going practice long before written communication was used in Europe. The Israelites knew the taunt-song of the Amorites when they moved against them. So there were oral and written communications among the people who lived in that area. Yet more importantly, the Holy Spirit of God gave the information about the conversations between Balaam and Balak to Moses so that they would be read by God's people. They knew in this way how the idolaters would look upon them. From that high place where Balaam, Balak and those with them stood: the orderliness of the encampment, the Tabernacle in the center of the camp and the cloud and pillar of fire would impress the on-lookers they were up against more than they had known before. This was no mere group of nomads just passing through. How to deal with such a God who had designated each tribe to a certain place with a special banner identifying it, and the visible evidence of God over the Tabernacle, was more than a leader could deal with.
Of interest, is that now God is referred to as the Lord. Balaam is under divine authority even though he was spiritually dead to God. In his first experience of speaking to Balak he learned what God thinks about His people, their standing before Him, and that God has answers to give to those who accuse His people for some reason. We know there are shortcomings and failings in and among the people of God, but as far as the unbelieving world is concerned, God sees them perfect and complete in Christ. God can open the eyes of men to see what the natural man does not see. We "are justified freely by His grace" and are "accepted in the Beloved."
The first parable or prophetic oracle Balaam spoke after he returned to Balak, who was going through the religious forms they were used to, defined the negative position of Israel. They were a separate people who would dwell alone. Their identity was unique and would be kept. As a nation the people of God are separated unto Him. God makes them what He wants them to be. It wasn't so much what they were separated from, that was important, but rather who they were separated to. This same principle holds true for us today. We "go forth unto Him without the camp." The rituals men perform today are of no more value to God as the religious rituals that were common to men in the ancient past. People often sought the tops of mountains for religious activities because they thought they would be closer to their gods. Where there were no high peaks of land, they built towers or ziggurats for the same purpose. In Christendom, high steeples have been built to follow the same man-made religious practices.
Prophetic oracles were not only passed on in the Middle East during those days, but anything of significance was written down. Israel was the only nation linked to a living God by a covenant. All others worshiped idols formed by men to characterize their own ideas of the so-called deity they appealed to. So Israel was an isolated people that dwelt alone and were not numbered with the nations of idol worshipers. They were isolated by the moral law and commands of God that were given to them at Mount Sinai. Balaam was like so many today; they want their "last end" to be one with the same blessings as the people of God, but they want to be well accepted by the world and its ways now. There is a cost of separation that requires the people of God to be unique in the way they live as well as how they worship God. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord."
The second parable God gave Balaam took a positive position where God's people are seen on safe ground. God had blessed them and His blessings are not reversed. In God's sight they were separated and justified because God is with them as a "King among them." Balak had taken Balaam to where he would not see so much of the camp of Israel hoping from that position Balaam would put a curse on the Israelites. Apparently Balak was curious as to how God communicated His word to Balaam, and so God addresses Balak. How frightened he must have been when he realized God was reading his thoughts! It is important that we realize nothing is hid from God. "He knoweth our thoughts afar off." The second prophetic pronouncement was longer as Balaam affirmed that God was morally consistent and does not lie. What God says is absolute truth. Balaam had no choice but to obey what God said and pass on God's decisions in relation to His people. Men may change and think that God is blessing them because of their decisions. But the spiritual standards God has given remain unchanged. Loyalty to Him and His revealed truth is all that preserves us from spiritual disaster.
Balaam's prophecy portrayed Israel as an unstoppable wild bull that in its strength defeated all who opposed it. It was also like a lioness on the hunt who tracks and kills its prey while the lion distracts all but the hunter by its loud roaring. Balaam knew magic had no place in the nation of Israel. God was the Source of all power and authority. Any divination made by men is useless when God is in control. The people of God may have been unaware of all that was going on in those peaks where Balak and Balaam and those with them watched. We may not have a clue as to what is being taught by God to those who watch us from a distance and wonder how God is able to preserve His own people. It is enough that we realize there is a King among us and we are to obey Him and submit to His control. The outcome of a matter is up to God, not to us. Neither Balak or Balaam were willing to change their position and beliefs in spite of what God said. Balak persuaded Balaam to try again in a different location, and Balaam was still willing to go along with him for the sake of "the wages of unrighteousness."
What he said was right, but he still was wrong - His motive was to get what he could. It was easy to see, the people of God are strong - They were conscious that in their midst was the Lord. So even though the words seemed ever so right - And they were, for they came right from God - The apostate prophet still trusted only by sight. Even though God used him to pass on His word.
God is consistent, no man changes His mind - Though He can be appealed to by faith, in prayer. When one seeks His will, that will he will find - But the question is, does he really sincerely care? Or does one say right words when it is convenient - With an ulterior motive laying behind them - Hoping God who knows all, will with deception be lenient - And will not consider the true motive to be sin.
The pressure will come, from it we cannot escape - To curse what God blesses, and what He blesses to curse - There are consequences waiting behind the decisions we make - And what we thought was trivial was very much worse Than if we had stood faithful and had taken a stand - That to our Lord and His word more loyal we'd be. With God there is no subterfuge, no slight of hand - I wonder what He can truthfully say about me.
"O Righteous Father, there seems to be a desire on the part of some to blend what Thou dost give as truth, with what men say is more convenient. Grant to Thy servant the will, discernment and courage to know when to stand firm in loyalty and allegiance to Thee in spite of what others may say and do. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
Numbers 23: 9. “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: Lo this people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” DWELL ALONE. There is a difference when we are faced by God: what seemed tidy, clean and unsoiled – Doesn’t seem the same. Instead of pureness and untainted to men; it is dirty, stained – unclean before God; And my head is bowed in shame. The people who seem so fine, and I compare my life and works with theirs – Are just like me.
And fame and self-glory, contentment and all the works and pleasures we share – Before God’s holiness flee. “I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” [Isa.6:5]
There is a difference when we are faced by men: what seems right and acceptable to them Is not right. The people who have no name, who worship and praise and preach simply, they seem – To be so “tight.” Their camp is orderly, their Book is the same; they meet so often and can’t be blamed – But they want separation. Why don’t they mix with others and join; if we were all together then we’d be the same – One big congregation. “Lo, the people shall dwell alone.” [Num.23:9]
There is a difference when life is done: the past is past and we reach the heavenly home – And we see Jesus. We will be glad we faced up to our sin and claimed; the cross-death was for me alone – And the Savior I face. Not in pride but in humility, not trusting myself but by faith I am free, to walk with God, And with His people. We walked in the light with God and His people, we lived and followed His holy Word – And we are at home with the faithful. “Surely goodness and mercy has followed me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
“Father, I am contented when I know I am where You want me to be. Even though I know I am not a perfect man, and do not dwell with perfect men; I know the place for me to dwell is with those separated unto You and You Word alone. Let me live with them until I reach heaven. Amen.”