Chapter 4: Balaam’s Second Oracle
Numbers 23:13–26
Q1 - In the New King James Version of the Bible, the passage in Numbers 23:21 reads like this: “‘He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, And the shout of a King is among them.’”
(Compare various other versions of Numbers 23:21 at BibleHub.com. Also at this site, you can read commentaries on this scripture.)
What sins had Israel committed since their deliverance from Egypt? Why did they have to wander in the wilderness for forty years before they could enter the Promised Land? In view of all the sins the Israelites had committed, what does this verse reveal about the character of God?
A1 - Here is the first part of Numbers 23:21 from the American Standard Version: “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob; Neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel.” The Amplified Bible states it this way: “God has not observed wickedness in Jacob [for he is forgiven], Nor has He seen trouble in Israel.”
The Israelites committed many sins against God between when they were delivered from Egypt and the time this oracle was spoken. The following list is probably not inclusive:
Exodus 32 – the creation and worshipping of the golden calf, at which time 3,000 were killed.
Numbers 11:1–3 – The people complained about their hardships. God sent fire which burned among the people and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The scriptures do not state what the fire burned, if it were people, animals, or possessions.
Numbers 11:4–34 – The people craved other food. God sent quail and then struck them with a severe plague. That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, which means graves of craving, because there they buried the people who craved other food.
Numbers 12 – Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses because of his wife. They wanted recognition for God having spoken through them as well as through Moses. Miriam was struck with leprosy and had to stay outside the camp for seven days.
Numbers 14 – The people rebelled and refused to enter Canaan. The 10 spies who gave the negative report were struck down and died of a plague (Numbers 14:37). It was due to this rebellion that God sentenced the Israelites to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, one year for each day the spies had explored Canaan.
Numbers 16 – Korah’s rebellion – The ground split open and swallowed the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their households (however, the sons of Korah were spared – see Numbers 26:11). Fire came from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who had been Korah’s followers (Numbers 16:31–35).
Numbers 16:41–50 – The next day after Korah’s rebellion, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, claiming they had killed the Lord’s people. A plague ensued, killing 14,700 people in addition to those who had died because of Korah.
Numbers 21:4–9 – The people grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses. They complained because there was no water and said they detested the miserable food, meaning the manna. God sent venomous snakes among them and many died. Those who were bitten had to look upon the bronze snake which Moses made in order to live.
Numbers 25 – The Israelite men engaged in immoral behavior with the Moabite women and also joined in worshipping Baal. Because of this incident, 24,000 were killed.
As the above scriptures reveal, many of the Israelites were destroyed because of their sins. However those who repented and turned back to Him, He forgave. Of course, Moses instructed and admonished the people, and he frequently interceded on their behalf.
For God to proclaim in this oracle what He did concerning Jacob or Israel, we can conclude that He is a God who forgives, and He does so repeatedly. Thankfully for us today, our God is still a God who forgives.
Q2 - Again referring to Numbers 23:21, what does it mean, ‘“The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a King is among them.’”?
A2 - It may help to read various Bible translations of this verse at BibleHub.
This is a blessed people. Their God is their king, and He is with them. They have His favor. Moreover, He defends them and provides them with security. They shout as a people who have been victorious over their enemies and who have the guidance and approval of their king.
Q3 - In Numbers 23:24, the Israelite people are likened to a lion and lioness. How does this comparison hold special meaning for God’s people? (See Genesis 49:9–12, Isaiah 31:4, Revelation 5:5.)
These articles discuss the meaning of the “lion of Judah:”
Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah?
4 Powerful Reasons to Understand and Know Jesus as the Lion of Judah .
A3 - Although the tribe of Judah is not specifically mentioned here, the lion has traditionally been regarded as the symbol of the tribe of Judah. When Jacob blessed his sons from his deathbed, he referred to his son, Judah, in much the same was as the oracle of Balaam referred to the Israelites here in Numbers 23:24. Jacob said of Judah in Genesis 49:9 (NIV): “You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?”
The tribe of Judah became a very large tribe. In the second census in Numbers 26, their men who were able to fight in the army numbered more than any other tribe (unless you combine the totals of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were the sons of Joseph). Upon the death of Joshua, there was no leader to succeed him. God charged the men of the tribe of Judah to go first and lead the fight against the Canaanites (see Judges 1:1–2). King David and his son, King Solomon, were from the tribe of Judah. Later, Jesus would come through the lineage of Judah.