July 20, 2024: Parashah Torah Portion Balak - "Devastator"

Shabbat: July 19th, 2024 at sunset until July 20th, 2024 at sunset.

Scriptures:

Torah Portion: Numbers 22:2-25:9

Haftarah (Prophets): Micah 5:6-6:8

Brit Hadashah: Romans 11:25-32

Restore Israel Team: Elihana Elia, Dr. Hadassah Elia & Devorah Silva

This week, we find Israel encamped along the borders of Moab, east of the Jordan River, finally ready to enter the Promised Land. When Balak, the king of Moab, considered what Israel had done to the Amorites, however, he sought the aid of the neighboring Midianites and sent emissaries to hire a "seer" named Balaam to curse Israel so that they would be defeated in the forthcoming battle.

This Torah portion (Balak) is named after the fretful Moabite king Balak who sought to curse the Jewish people by hiring the services of a wicked Midianite "prophet" named Balaam (i.e., bil'am: בלעם).

King Balak's plan was to employ Balaam's sorcery ותּשפָׁכַּ against the Israelites to prevent them from entering the Promised Land. Similar to the irony that befell the villain Haman in the Book of Esther.

Balaam sent word with Balak's messengers that ADONAI did not permit him to go with them. So Balak sent more prestigious messengers to Balaam, promising him great riches in return for his services. Once again ADONAI appeared to Balaam. This time ADONAI allowed Balaam to go — provided that he only speak the words which HE dictated to him!

Balaam leaves together with the Moabite dignitaries. ADONAI sends an angel with a drawn sword to block Balaam's path. While Balaam couldn't see the angel, the donkey he was riding did, and refused to move onwards, causing Balaam to strike the animal. The donkey miraculously spoke, admonishing Balaam for striking him. Eventually, ADONAI "opens Balaam's eyes," and he sees the angel.

A conversation between Balaam and the angel ensues, where Balaam is chastised for his behavior towards his donkey, and again he is reminded only to say what ADONAI dictates to him. After this humbling episode, Balaam arrives in Moab where he is greeted by Balak.

“Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.” Numbers 22:38

However, King Balak's scheme was stopped, and the curse he sought to put on the Jewish people was repeatedly pronounced as a blessing by Balaam instead - including prophecies concerning the Messianic redemption!

Three times, from three different vantage points, Balaam attempted to pronounce his curses; but each time blessings upon Israel were recited instead. The third attempt was at the summit of Peor itself, the place noted for Baal worship. The Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) came upon Balaam and he recited further blessings upon Israel and (ironically) curses upon her enemies! Part of Balaam's blessing is now part of the daily morning service recited every Shabbat in synagogues everywhere!

Mah Tovu:

After several foiled attempts to curse the Israelites, Balak finally dismissed the prophet from his service. But before departing from the dejected king, Balaam ironically prophesied the destruction of the Moabites and the establishment of Israel.

The shameful story of Balaam reveals that "there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel" , in accordance to Numbers 23:23!

Ein od milvado דוּבַלְ מִ ודֹע איןֵ - no weapon or scheme devised against Israel will ever prosper, in Yeshua's Mighty Name!

"If anyone attacks you, it is not from Me; whoever assails you will fall before you.

16Behold, I have created the craftsman who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its task; and I have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.

17No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” Isaiah 54:15-17 Amen!

Balaam is also an object lesson to all those who attempt to manipulate the LORD for the purposes of evil (he was later killed by Yehoshua (Joshua) when he tried once again to curse the people of Israel).

King Balak sought him out because he (mistakenly) thought that this prophet could somehow manipulate the LORD to turn against His people.

Balaam (Bil'am) is mentioned no less than fifty-one times in the Scriptures, beginning with the account given in Parashat Balak (Numbers 22-24). He was later killed in a battle between Israel and the Midianites (Numbers 31:8).

He is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:5-6; Joshua 13:22; 24:9-10; Micah 6:5; and Nehemiah 13:2. Although at first glance Bil'am might appear to be a man of God, a true prophet, both the Scriptures and Jewish tradition are emphatic that he was an adversary of the LORD and an enemy of the children of Israel.

His so-called sorcery led to folly and death. The New Testament Scriptures warns us about the ways of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing:

"They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong." 2 Peter 2:15

"Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion." Jude 1:11

And also about the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel:

"Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality." Revelation 2:14.

The Brit Chadashah (New Covenant) reading alludes to the prophecy given by Balaam: darach kochav miYa'akov עקבֲיַּ מִ כבָוֹכּ ךְרַדָּ,"a star shall rise from Jacob," namely the LORD Yeshua our Messiah, who will "banish ungodliness from Jacob":

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth." Numbers 24:17

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD." Isaiah 59:20.

The LORD God of Israel will never forsake His people, and all His promises to Israel are Yes and Amen!

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Messiah. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20