DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2017 June 2
Storm Worship / The Storm Twins (c. 1999)
John Jude Palencar (b. 1957)
Eclectic Blend of Realism, Surrealism, and Symbolism Styles
Private Collection?
Image Source: JohnJudePalencar.com
SPECIAL NOTE:
[ I will again be working through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I will be adding links, resources, images, and the like, upgrading the former work-through which began with the 2013-10-12 posting which can be found, along with the full Genesis to Revelation postings, in the Archive Page. Postings will be at midnight Eastern Time, as I am able. However, no chapters will be skipped, even though a posting may be late. And all postings will be housed in the Archive Page. ]
Explanation: Numbers 24 contains the last two of Balaam's oracles -- the third and the fourth -- the first two being in the previous chapter. In his third oracle Balaam, seeing that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, did not seek to use enchantments, as before; instead, he looked toward the wilderness and saw Israel dwelling in their tents, and the Spirit of God came upon him (1-2).
He called their tents "goodly" (or "lovely"); and he prophesied blessing and success against their enemies; and he said that those who blessed them would be blessed, and those who cursed them would be cursed. In the case of the Amalekites, represented by their king, whose title was "Agag" (v. 7), this prophecy was fulfilled in three stages -- first, by Saul, who devastated them (1 Samuel 15), then by David (1 Samuel 27:1-12 and chapter 30), and finally, by Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 4:43) who destroyed the last of them (3-9).
This prophecy angered Balak so much that he told Balaam to flee to his place, saying that the LORD had held him back from honor. But Balaam reminded him that he had told him from the start that he could only speak what the LORD told him to speak; and he invited him to hear what would happen to him and his people in the latter days (10-14).
Balaam then took up his fourth oracle, which consisted of two parts -- the first part was directed toward Moab and its neighbors; the second part was directed toward Amalek and its neighbors. He predicted a "Star out of Jacob" and a "Scepter out of Israel" (David and his dynasty, including Jesus Christ) which would smite Moab and the children of Sheth, as well as Edom or Seir (fulfilled by John Hyrcanus in 129 B.C.). Concerning Amalek and its neighbors, Balaam said that Amalek would perish, that the Kenites, though they dwelt in a stronghold, would be taken captive by Asshur (i.e., the Assyrians) -- (probably fulfilled in the Babylonian Captivity); and that Asshur would be afflicted by Chittim (the Greeks and the Romans) who would also afflict Eber, meaning the Jews (15-24). Having said these things, Balaam then left (25).
[ Sermons: Alan Cairns. Various. ]
[ Illustration: I have chosen the painting above because it represents the inward insight of the prophet via two different means -- eyes open (on the left, telescopically, indicating a vision of far-off things) and eyes shut (indicating insight beyond the senses). This duality is also reflected in verse 3, below, where Balaam refers to himself as having his eyes "open" (shatham) and uncovered (galah) in verse 4. But the marginal reading says "shut" (satham). In either case, however, the result is inward understanding and insight. ]
RESOURCES
PLEASE NOTE: Use the resources on this and other sites thoughtfully, particularly the commentaries and encyclopedias. I have attempted to list conservative, scholarly resources. However, some providers use liberal or liberal-influenced commentaries such as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (in Bible Hub). Such commentaries are undoubtedly included by the provider for the wealth of useful information and comments which they provide. By consulting several commentaries, it should be fairly easy to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If, however, you would like personal assistance, write to me at AD LIB ARTS EMAIL.
[ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Numbers 24: [2] Numbers 23:5; Numbers 23:15; 1 Samuel 19:20.
[4] Numbers 22:31.
[6] Isaiah 7:20; Ezekiel 31:3-4; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 92:12.
[7] Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 11:11; Isaiah 32:20; Isaiah 44:4; Isaiah 65:22-23; Genesis 17:6; Genesis 35:11.
[8] Numbers 23:22.
[9] Numbers 23:24; Genesis 12:3; Genesis 27:29.
[10] Job 27:23; Lamentations 2:15.
[11] Numbers 23:27.
[13] Numbers 22:18.
[14] Revelation 2:14; Genesis 49:1; Numbers 24:15; Numbers 24:20-21; Numbers 24:23.
[17] Jude 1:14; Genesis 49:10; Matthew 2:2; 2 Samuel 8:2; Psalm 60:8; Isaiah 22:5; Jeremiah 48:45.
[18] 2 Samuel 8:14; Isaiah 63:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Ruth 4:11.
[19] Psalm 72:8; Psalm 72:16.
[20] Numbers 13:29; Genesis 36:12; Exodus 17:8; Amos 6:1; 1 Samuel 14:48; 1 Samuel 15:7; 1 Samuel 27:8; 1 Samuel 30:17; 2 Samuel 8:12; 1 Chronicles 4:42-43.
[21] Genesis 15:19; Judges 1:16; Numbers 10:29; Jeremiah 35:11; 1 Chronicles 2:55; Judges 4:11; Ezra 6:22.
[24] Daniel 11:30; Genesis 10:21; Revelation 22:16. -- From Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
[ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]
HARMONY OF THE LAW
HEBREW AND GREEK INTERLINEAR BIBLES
Pentateuch Detailed Outline:
Genesis Detailed Outline:
Exodus Detailed Outline:
Leviticus Detailed Outline
Old Testament Offerings Chart
Numbers Detailed Outline
Numbers 24
NUMBERS (COVENANT INSTRUCTION CONTINUES: LAWS OF COMMUNITY LIFE)
Note: "It is the only age in the Bible in which miracle is a daily fact of life."
(Richard Elliott Friedman, Commentary on the Torah, [San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001, 421)
True of Exodus through Deuteronomy and up to Joshua 5:12.
{Pentateuch Outline: 14. Generations of Aaron & Moses (Nu 3:1 - Dt 34:12) 1445 - 1406 B.C. Sinai}
2. Resumption of the Journeys [Israel Wanders in the Wilderness] (Nu 10:11 - Nu 36:13) 1445 - 1406 B.C. Sinai & Shittim
b. 3rd Group of Journeys: Kadesh to Ezion-Geber to Kadesh (Nu 15:1 - Nu 20:21) 1445 - 1407 B.C. Sinai
(Numbers does not explicitly mention the start of this Journey, but see Nu 15:32; 16:13; 20:1; Dt 1:46; 2:1 + Nu 33)
(See Chart pp. 815-817 in Davis Dictionary of the Bible, 4th Edition, "Wilderness of the Wandering," pp. 812-817)
c. 4th Group of Journeys: Kadesh to Jordan River (Shittim) - (Nu 20:22 - Nu 36:13) 1407 - 1406 B.C. Sinai & Shittim
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased [was good in the eyes of] the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!
6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God bought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [you blessed to bless] them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour [to glorify I shall glorify you]; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
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