Chapter 3: Balaam’s Oracles Begin
Numbers 22:36 – 23:12
Q1 - How many altars did God’s people usually erect in any one place? What would the plurality of altars that Balaam had built seem to indicate? What did the number seven symbolize to the Hebrews? This article provides more information: “What Does the Number 7 Mean in the Bible and Why is it Important?”.
A1 - Throughout the scriptures, it seems God’s people only built one altar at a time or in any given place. For example, when Noah came out of the ark, he built an altar to the Lord (see Genesis 8:20). Also, when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, he built an altar (see Genesis 22:9).
The pagans often built multiple altars for their many gods. Balaam seemed to be combining pagan worship with the worship of the one God of the Hebrews. While the number seven suggested completeness to the Hebrew people, several commentaries suggest it also was significant in pagan worship due to there being seven known planets. Maybe Balaam felt by having seven altars while calling upon the name of the Lord he would be able to cover all possible contingencies—Jehovah God as well the pagan gods.
Q2 - In Numbers 23:9 (NIV), Balaam observed the Israelites to be “a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations.” What commands did God give the Israelites concerning their relationships with other nations, particularly those who currently occupied Canaan? What reasons did God give for His commands? (See Deuteronomy 7:1–6.)
A2 - The Israelites were God’s chosen people and were not to adopt the ways of the inhabitants of Canaan. He specifically warned them to totally destroy these people. They were to make no treaties with them or show them any mercy. They were not to allow intermarriage with them, as they would turn their sons away from following God to serve other gods. Further, God instructed the Israelites to break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. In short, they were to eliminate all things associated with their pagan worship.
Q3 - What does the “dust of Jacob” refer to in Numbers 23:10?
A3 - The “dust of Jacob” seems to refer to God’s promise that He made to Abraham in Genesis 13:16 to make his offspring as numerous as the dust of the earth:
“The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you’” (Genesis 13:14–17 NIV).
Looking down on that vast group of people, they were probably a sight to behold and from a distance could have resembled specks of dust.