Review & Intro: In Chapter 23, Balak took Balaam to 2 different locations where they built 7 altars and made sacrifices, and Balaam tried to curse Israel for the payment he would receive from King Balak of Moab, but .... God caused only blessings to be spoken both times. In Chapter 24, Balak tries one other place. The altars are not mentioned this time. In fact, the Holy Spirit comes upon Balaam, and he even prophesies the coming of the Messiah. Wow! Balak will not be happy about this! 
Numbers Chapter 24 - Observation Questions
1. What do we learn Balaam had "sought" after before he realized it pleased the Lord to bless Israel? vs. 1
2. Where did Balaam set his face when he saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel?
3. What does the Lord make clear in His Word about seeking "omens" and being apart of any kind of divination (witchcraft)? Comment on the verses below:
- Deuteronomy 18:9-12-
- Jeremiah 14:14 -
- Ezekiel 13:6-9 -
- Isaiah 44:24-26-
- Malachi 3:5 -
- Acts 16:16-18 -
- Revelation 21:8 -
- Revelation 22:15 -
4. What happened to Balaam when he lifted his eyes and saw Israel camping "tribe by tribe"? vs. 2
5. The Holy Spirit came upon men in the Old Testament to do His work and then the Spirit would leave as well. This is why it is so beautiful that we have His Spirit dwelling "inside" of us when we place our faith in Jesus as our Lord. The promise of the New Covenant is that He will never leave us or forsake us. Comment on the following Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures regarding the work of the Holy Spirit:
- 1 Samuel 10:6 -
- 1 Samuel 11:6 -
- 1 Samuel 16:3 -
- 1 Samuel 16:14 -
- 1 Samuel 19:20 -
- 1 Chronicles 12:18 -
- Psalm 52:10-12 -
- John 14:16,17 -
- Ephesians 1:13 -
6. Back to Numbers 24. What did Balaam say about his own eyes? vs. 3
7. What did Balaam say about his own ears? vs. 4
8. How did Balaam respond when he saw the vision of the Almighty? vs. 4
9. How did Balaam describe the tents of Jacob (Israel)? vs. 5,6 - Name 4 ways he described it.
10. What does Balaam say "will come" from Israel? vs. 7 - Name 4 things
11. Where did God bring Israel out of? vs. 8
12. God is for Israel "like" the horns of the wild ox (protective, agressive) ...What will God to to the nations that are adversaries to Israel? vs. 8 - Name 3 things
13. He lies down as a lion and who dare arouse him? (This prophecy mirrors the one given to Judah by Jacob in Genesis 50:8,9) ... Who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah? Comment on the verse below:
- Revelation 5:5
Note: Balaam is actually prophesying about the coming Messiah!
14. Back to Numbers 24. What happens to those who bless Israel? vs. 9
15. What happens to those who curse Israel? vs. 9
16. How did Balak feel about the prophecy that Balaam gave in blessing Israel this third time? vs. 10
17. Balak told Balaam to go home; he would not honor him as promised, because the Lord held him back from honor, not allowing him to do what he was hired to do. (vs.11) Balaam reminded Balak that he had told the messengers in the beginning that he would have to say what the Lord commanded him to, no matter how much was offered to him. (vs.12,13) ... Balaam had another prophetic word to give to Balak before he left! It concerned what Israel would do to the people of Moab in the days to come. (vs.14) ...Again, Balaam says he has "eyes opened" and "ears opened" to hear the words of God. (vs.15,16) ... What does he say that he "knows"? vs. 16
18. Whose vision does Balaam see with his eyes "uncovered"? vs. 16
19. What does Balaam see in this vision? vs. 17
20. From what you know about Biblical prophecy and its fulfillment, who do you believe this is and why? vs. 17-19
This map shows where Edom, Moab, and Ammon were in relation to where they would cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land, now known as Israel.
21. What did Balaam say concerning the future of Amalek? vs. 20
22. What did Balaam say about the future of the Kenite? vs. 21
23. What did Balaam say about the future of Kain? vs. 22
24. What did Balaam say regarding those who "live"? vs. 23
25. How does David explain this to us in Psalm 139:16?
26. Back to Numbers 24. Balaam goes on to say that ships will come from the coast of Kittim to afflict both Asshur and Eber who will also come to destruction. (vs.24) ... In these closing words of the last prophecy, Balaam says that all who would join themselves together against the people of God (Israel) would be defeated. Look at the news today, with all the Arab nations saying "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" ... will they be able to defeat the purposes of God for the nations that honor Him? I hope America will remain a friend of Israel, but Israel has the Abrahamic covenant that is everlasting for their land. God is watching over His word to perform it. Israel's enemies will not have the final say. God will ! Amen. Comment on the following verses:
- Psalm 2:1-12 -
- Zechariah 2:8 -
- Isaiah 55:11 -
- Isaiah 54:7 -
- Jeremiah 29:11 -
27. With these parting words, Balaam returned to his place, and Balak also went his way. (vs. 25)...We would suppose that we have seen the last of Balaam, but Numbers 25 indicates otherwise and in Numbers 31 it is made clear that he was not a true follower of the Lord, but truly a prophet of greed as the New Testament confirms.
28. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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