As stated in the prior chapter, King Balak of Moab turned to Balaam to help defeat and destroy the
Hebrews. Here in chapter 23, we will take a closer look at Balaam’s prophecies. To be specific, God
granted Balaam four prophecies regarding the Jewish people, as Abravanel develops in his commentary.
Here we will examine the first of the four divine messages.
“And God met Balaam and he said unto Him: I have prepared the seven
altars, and I have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. And God
put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said: Return unto Balak, and thus
you shall speak.”
In his pilot prophecy, Balaam informed Balak that the Jews comprised God’s portion and His legacy. This
guardianship dated back to the time of their patriarchs. One outgrowth of said intimacy explains how
they grew so fantastically populous. Moreover, the nation heads for divine salvation in the next world
with its boundless spiritual delights.
“And took up his parable and said: From Aram, Balak brings me, the king of Moab from the mountains of
the East. Come, curse [for] me Jacob and come, execrate Israel.” Balaam’s position overlooking the
Jewish encampment had been chosen by King Balak. As for the king’s request of Balaam, it was explicit –
to curse the Hebrews.
The locale appeared to offer an excellent vista for Balaam to jinx the Jews. Yet, Balaam balked. “How can
I curse” using my mouth and my tongue, since “fate has not cursed.” Balaam lectured Balak. “If God
harbors no anger” toward the Jews, then “why should I?”
Balaam had more “bad news” for his royal patron. That is, the Almighty eternally showers His people
with love. Here is proof. “For I see them from the tops of the clefts.” Balaam’s mind’s eye gazed upon
the illustrious patriarchs: Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. They are likened to majestic mountain heights.
“Look toward the cleft from which you were hewn.”
“And from hilltops I see them.” These are the matriarchs—Sarah and Rebeccah and Rahel and Leah. The
desert-trekking Hebrews hail from exemplary patriarchal and matriarchal stock. Father to son, mother to
daughter—theirs is a direct bloodline. Claims reporting that Gentiles entered into the lineage cannot be
sanctioned. Patently false.
For Hebrews, theirs is an ultra-insulated community. “Behold, they are a people who dwell apart, and
among the Gentiles they are not counted.” Assimilation is unknown to them. Unlike other peoples, they
do not seek a big tent and common banner with those of different family backgrounds.
Winding up his opening message, Balaam made it clear that the Hebrews’ line runs pure, without a trace
of outside influence. Lest someone think that a tight-knit group such as this one probably numbers few,
well, that notion was quickly dispelled. “Who can count the dust, O Jacob?” Compared to the dust of the
earth, “or numbered the stock of Israel.”
From Balak’s and Balaam’s vantage, they managed to see a mere fraction of the nation and beheld a
single tribal formation or one-fourth of the encampment.
Turning to their spiritual legacy, Balaam’s prophetic words broached the infinite reach of their souls,
souls that never extinguish even after death. We also find more than a touch of jealousy. “If only my
soul will die the death of the righteous,” and “if only my end will conclude as theirs.”
How apparent is God’s love for His people, Balaam tutored Balak. He voices the unimaginable when he
wonders how it is possible to harm such a coddled people. Herein is the resounding sentiment and
undisputed fact behind Balaam’s first prophecy.
As for the king’s reaction, he delighted not. “And Balak said to Balaam: What have you done to me? To
curse my enemy I have hired you. And behold, you doubly bless them.” While the king was certainly not
pleased with Balaam’s words, he was persistent. He requested Balaam move location and give it another
go. But that’s a subject for Balaam’s upcoming prophecies…
