READINGS FOR OCTOBER 16, 2024: NUMBERS 24, ACTS 28, PSALM 107:17-32
Numbers 24
This chapter completes the seven messages from the seer, Balaam to King Balak of Moab. From verse 1, we are told that Balaam usually practiced one of the arts of divination. This means that he would use some kind of ritual or practice that he could determine what the prophecies would be. Since Balaam had the king sacrifice seven bulls and seven rams, it is possible that his divination came from the reading of animal livers. This is an ancient practice of divination (like the “fortune tellers” of today that use tea leaves and tarot cards).
However, Balaam sees that he does not need to do that in this instant. The Spirit of God came upon Balaam. God began speaking words of blessings upon the Israleites through the pagan prophet.
The third message proclaims that the people of Israel will be blessed. They will become powerful in the region. The blessing ends in a familiar way (see Genesis 12:2-3). Those who bless the nation of Israel will be blessed.
In between the third and fourth blessing, King Balaam dismisses Balaam from his service and refuses to pay him. The king was furious because the seer had blessed the very people that he had been hired to curse. Before Balaam leaves, he completes a series of messages that God has given him to share.
Fourth Message – This prophecy is two-fold. It was fulfilled initially through King David. It will be fulfilled in the future by the return of Jesus Christ, “a star will come out of Jacob.”
Fifth Message – The Amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel when they came out of Israel (see Exodus 17:8-13). Balaam proclaims that they will destroyed.
Sixth Message – We are not sure who the Kenites are exactly. It is possible that Balaam has the Midianites in mind. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, was both a Kenite and a Midianite (see Exodus 2:16). There is an interesting wordplay in verse 21. The Hebrew word for Kenite is (qeni) and the Hebrew word for nest is (qen). For now, they are safe but will be destroyed when Assyria rise to power (Ashur).
Seventh Message – In the region around Israel, Balaam is prophesying that one nation will supplant another in succession. Specifically, here is the Phoenicians from Cyprus taking over the Assyrians. The idea here is that as other nations rise and fall, Israel will continue to be blessed. And we believe that in the end, Jesus will deliver us from all captivity.
Acts 28
After the shipwreck, Paul ends up on the island of Malta. There is one episode here that needs discussion. Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and yet felt no ill effects. It may have been a sign to the people from the ship that God was with Paul.
There are churches in our country that practice the handling of snakes. They believe that if you are blessed by God that the snake will not bite you. Or, you will be like Paul and not suffer ill effects from the poison if you are bitten. This just seems like an odd ritual to me. I adhere to the admonition from God found in the book of Deuteronomy, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (6:16, NIV). Do I believe that God has the power to heal a
READINGS FOR OCTOBER 16, 2024 CONTINUED: NUMBERS 24, ACTS 28, PSALM 107:17-32
poisonous snake bite? Yes. Am I going to put my hand into a box of rattlesnakes or willingly grab one by the tail? Only if the life of someone is in jeopardy.
Have you ever wondered why the Book of Acts ends on a cliffhanger? I do not have an answer, but it seems odd. We leave Paul under house arrest in Rome awaiting his audience with Caesar Nero. He spent as much as five years in confinement (two years in Caesarea, two years in Rome, and over nine months on the journey across the Mediterranean Sea).
There are three reasons why we believe that Paul was probably released from house arrest:
- Paul wrote to churches while in prison expecting to visit them soon. He must have anticipated his release.
- Several events recorded in the Pastoral letters do not fit into the historical settings of the book of Acts.
- Tradition states that Paul made a trip to modern day Spain (Gaul) after being released from prison. Tradition also states that Paul was martyred by Caesar Nero shortly after the persecution of Christians began in 64 A.D.
The book of Acts ends on a high note. Even though he is under house arrest, Paul can share the gospel with many people. Paul is allowed guests and is visited by the leaders of the Jewish synagogue. Even though Paul is chained to a Roman guard, he can teach “in all boldness and without hindrance.” (V31) What is keeping us from following Paul’s example? To be bold in our ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 107:17-32
Psalm 107 is salvation history hymn. It calls Israel to praise God for his unfailing love. It reminds us that God hears the prayers and saves those who need God. This psalm was most likely penned after the people of Israel returned (539 BC).
This section again has two groups of people that God has saved. The first group are labeled as fools for their misdeeds. The book of Proverbs tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (1:7, NIV). Whatever their sins, it has brought them to the brink of death.
The second group are sailors. Sailing on the Mediterranean Sea was a dangerous undertaking (see Acts 27 in our study – yesterday). It is estimated that there are over 1,600 shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. In ancient times, when a storm was brewing over the waters sailors knew they were fighting for their lives against the elements.
Just as in Verses 1-16, when these two groups call out to God, they are saved. God rescued them from the grave (V. 20) and calmed the storm (V. 29). Again, the people are called to give praise for God’s unfailing love.
It is worth repeating. When we hit the storms of life; when we are engulfed in our foolishness; God hears our cry. When we call out to God, we receive God’s unfailing love.
