Chapter 6: The Fourth Oracle of Balaam
Numbers 24:14–19
Q1 - In what ways do Moab and Edom represent evil? How can they be seen as adversaries of the church which Christ established?
A1 - Moab was a son of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Edom was the land of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, or Israel. Both the Moabites and the Edomites did not treat the Israelites well even though they were near relatives. Even worse, they worshipped false gods, with the Moabites actively enticing the Israelite men to not only engage in sexual immorality but also to worship their vile god, Baal, in Numbers 25.
The book of Obadiah, which is only one chapter long, contains prophecy concerning Edom. Here, their total destruction is foretold. They had committed acts of violence against their brother, Jacob (verse 10). They had stood aloof while strangers carried off the Israelites’ wealth (verse 11). They looked down upon their brethren in the day of their misfortune, rejoiced in the day of their destruction, and boasted in the day of their trouble (verse 12). They seized their wealth in the day of their disaster, waited at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, and handed over their survivors in the day of their trouble (verses 13–14).
Both the Moabites and Edomites had acted treacherously toward the Israelites, and they both worshipped false gods. Their worship and their deeds ran counter to what Jesus would later teach in regard to how to treat one another, and most importantly, how to worship and honor Jehovah God.
Q2 - In Acts 13:16–26, the Apostle Paul gives a brief summary of the history of Israel in which he explains the connection between King David and Jesus, the Messiah. Then, a few verses later, in Acts 13: 32–37, Paul goes on to state that Jesus fulfilled the promise God made to David. What contrast does he make between David and Jesus in verses 36–37? What is the difference between their kingdoms?
A2 - King David was an earthly ruler. After he had lived his life, he died. His body was buried and decayed in its grave. Even though God described him as a man after His own heart in Acts 13:22 and David accomplished what God had set out for him to do, at the end of his life he died. His kingdom passed to his son, Solomon, but in time it diminished. At one point, the Hebrews were carried off into Babylonian captivity. Even though they were able to return later, their kingdom never recovered its former size or glory.
Jesus was a direct descendant of David. He fulfilled the promise God had made to David centuries earlier in 2 Samuel 7:16 (NIV). He established an everlasting, spiritual kingdom, one that would never be diminished as David’s had been. Like David, Jesus accomplished what God had set out for Him to do, and He died. However, His body did not decay, and He did not stay in the grave.
Moreover, what Jesus accomplished was far superior to what David had done. With Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, He ushered in a New Covenant through which believers would be able to attain forgiveness of sins. This had not been possible under the Law of Moses, which had been in effect during the time of David.
Q3 - How were stars used in ancient times (and still today, on occasion)? How was the star a fitting symbol for the Messiah? How can we be like stars today? (See Philippians 2:15 and Daniel 12:3.)
A3 - Stars were often used for navigational purposes when people were traveling. In the northern hemisphere, the North Star (or Polaris) helped point the way north, and in the southern hemisphere, the Southern Cross could be used to determine the direction south. Of course, the stars can still be used today, provided the skies are dark enough to allow them to be seen.
When the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to earth, He served as a bright and shining star to guide us. He pointed, and continues to point, the way to the Father.
We can also serve as stars to others to help point the way to the Father. The Apostle Paul urged us in Philippians 2:14–16 (NIV): “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
In the book of Daniel, the explanation of his vision of the end times included this beautiful statement (Daniel 12:2–3, NIV): “‘Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.’”