Balaam Announces the King – Christmas 2024

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My first title was God Used Balaam to Announce Immanuel; the thought is there in Numbers 24:7 but it says King and not Immanuel or Messiah. If I was looking for an earthly king, which one would I chose? Saul or David were true oil-anointed kings, but they were far off. Moses or Joshua were “kings” of a sort, but not really. Then we must realize Balaam already could see God was with Israel, just ask him (vs. 3-5 and in oracles 1,2, and 4). You just have to know God used Balaam so a Gentile “wiseman” announced King Jesus.

Who was this enigmatic Balaam? Much has been written. The Bible says he lived at Pethor near the River (22:5), and Balak saw he walked in the promise of Abraham (22:6). After that he had a donkey talk to him and he was killed in Numbers 31:8. I see him as a proto-Judas figure who knew the truth, but he still betrayed the King for money. I think he was a great grandchild of Abraham through Katurah. Midian was one of her children and Moab was from Lot. Balaam joins Melchizedek and Job as non-Jacob related characters who God used for His glory.

Numbers 24:7b Their king will be higher than Agag and his kingdom lifted high.8 God, who brought them out of Egypt (CJB). The fourth oracle goes on to talk about a STAR (vs. 17) coming out of Jacob and a scepter from Israel.

So, how do I end this post? A deep productive look at the Hebrew words in these verses. A grand list of the types and shadows. How about: God has always had a plan to bring mankind back to Himself, so we can have righteous fellowship with Him. From this story today, I chose to see the Christmas story being introduced by Balaam.

Merry Christmas,

Mark

Immanuel

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Immanuel means God with us. This morning (12/15), I woke up and all I wanted was immanu El. My thoughts, devotion, and other readings all spoke to God being with me (us). Now, some of this started after attending a performance of The Messiah, that much Scripture that centers in Isaiah 7 and 9 had an effect.

2024 is now old and limping towards its end, I do believe he has had enough. The kingdoms of this world have beaten and stomped this year and some will push their mess into 2025. Father God, reminded me of Immanuel and the Kingdom I belong too. The grand announcement of Immanuel was given to Isaiah at a BAD time in Israel’s history. Know what; they made it through. Hebrews 13 reminds us that God will not leave us by quoting Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 23, and Psalm 118:6,7. James 4:8 tells us to “draw near” to God because He is drawing us to Himself.

Is Immanuel a name, title, or a prophetic word of truth to comfort us? Yes, Praise God! I can see Mary telling the Shepherds when they came that God was here, and His name was Jesus (Matthew 1:21-23). Part of knowing that God is with me, is looking at some of these people and where they were when these references were written:

  • Isaiah was talking to Ahaz a “bad” king (See 2 Kings 16) who said he would not test God. Judea was about to be invaded by Samaria and Aram, and had to have Assyria bail them out (Isaiah 8:8). 8:10 uses another, but related, phrase for God with us.
  • Mary had at least six months of gossip and a troubled Joseph to deal with. Add several days of riding on a donkey while being nine months pregnant.
  • Deuteronomy 31 – Moses was telling Joshua that he would be the new leader after he died, before going into the Promised Land.
  • Psalm 23, I believe was written by David after he was anointed and before he killed the giant. His brothers were not exactly loving on him while he tended sheep. Yes, I took shepherd as helper. You may use Psalm 12, 30, or 54.
  • Psalm 118, I think was written by Solomon. He had to fend off a greedy, older brother and many of David’s advisors, he also built the first Temple.
  • The writer of Hebrews was happy that Timothy was out of jail.

In Chapter 9 our Immanuel has other titles given to Him because of His leadership role: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and PRINCE of PEACE. The righteous relationship with God, that Isaiah talks about, will grow if we remember He is with us. My study-writing-therapy time today has been good, but I still have to take time and be still to fellowship with the God who loves me.

Lord’s Prayer – Forgive, Sin/Debts

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Matthew 6:12 and Luke 11:4a focuses on two things: forgive and sins/debits. No, these are not perfectly identical. Luke’s version is longer and gives more details. I suggest you use Mounce or do a text analysis and compare our translations with the Greek. A major difference between Matthew and Luke is that Luke uses two words for sins. Here are some of the words you will see in these two versions of the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:12 MOUNCE – and forgive us our sins, as we also – Bible Gateway

Luke 11:4 MOUNCE – and forgive us our sins, for we – Bible Gateway

In non-biblical Greek writings, the words forgive, sin, and debit are frequently found in legal and commercial matters. This complements Jesus’ last utterance on the cross of a single Greek word. That single word was tetelestai, that is everything, everyone, and all has been paid for, and any debit has been taken care of in the future. THANK YOU, LORD JESUS.

This legal side of righteousness reminds me of the verses of Exodus 34:6-7 and Nehemiah 9:17 where the attributes of God are given. Him being willing to forgive us is just one of the things He is and does.

The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23

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I have had a season of studying on bread, The Lord’s Prayer, epiousious, and I have looked at Psalm 23. These all came together when I thought about epiousious and the Lord preparing a table for me. The Father’s message about His Kingdom does not change, He may say it in a different way but the meaning is the same.

As I am learning how to use columns in WordPress this is visually off. It is the NASB translation; I have added the different effects to show how I think the sections relate.

Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread.

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And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Lord is my shepherd,


I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.


Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

The Lord’s Prayer – Kingdom

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The Lord telling us to pray for the Kingdom was bold then and of major importance for us today.

We have clearly addressed Who we are praying to and clarified where He is. That led us to praising Him by reminding ourselves He is holy. Our very first petition in this prayer is asking for the Father’s Kingdom to come. So, why was this a bold statement to make?

Jesus’ audience was very aware of who they were and their connection with God. They were the people God had selected, His kingdom people. Hebrews had history with God and they knew the promises that were theirs because of that history. Now, let me try to fit this prayer into the Gospels and remind us of Jesus and how we are His Kingdom.

Your kingdom come. Matthew 6:10a and Luke 11:2

In Matthew 3 and 4 (The First Block of Kingdom teaching) Jesus repeats John’s message of “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (NIV) He tells the good news of the kingdom and reenforces His words by healing the sick. He then taught the Sermon on the Mount and shared more of His vision about His kingdom, this includes the Lord’s Prayer.

*Notes to Myself* Father was not a common way for Hebrews to speak about Jehovah God. The thought of the Father’s kingdom “to come” would have been met with very different ideas from these groups.

  • The People – This was the real power group in Israel, but I am not sure they realized that. Like now, they may have been fickle and easily swayed. There were many voices telling them different things and a common thread may have been how “we” are smarter, more holy, and stronger. Jesus went to them with the Good News, these others were just in the crowds.
  • Pharisees – They fostered the synagogues.  
  • Essenes – I know a little about this group but not a lot. John the Baptist may have been one and they did the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • Zealots – If you hear “The Fourth Philosophy” on The Chosen, this is who they were talking about.
  • Sadducees – They controlled the Temple and did not want to lose it.
  • Herod – He definitely had his own vision and opinion.
  • Rome – They thought they were the kingdom.
  • Rebel groups – I am not sure all violent groups were Zealots.  

Could you see those three words (Your kingdom come) as a call for evangelism or mission work? Is it a form of Revelation 22:20 – Come, Lord Jesus? We could advance to the Second Block of Kingdom Teaching where Jesus has told the Twelve in Matthew 10:7 that the kingdom of heaven has come near, or Matthew 12:28 when He affirms that because demons are cast out that the Kingdom of God has come. I will be honest; those three words have made me think more the last several years than ever before. Just three words from our Savior and Lord can and should give us a lot to think about. If you do a word search/study Luke has many examples of “kingdom, come”.

We are/will be the Bride of Christ, so I will present a different look at Jesus’ first time here and His return. (A look into Hebrew wedding practices may help.)

  • Jesus came to select and call His Bride.
  • The ride into Jerusalem was Him going to claim His Bride and pay the bride price.
  • He paid the price and left.
  • Jesus is waiting on the Father to tell Him to come and get His Bride.

What does this kingdom look like? Jesus used parables and many start with “the kingdom of God is like”. Those parables talked about individuals finding the kingdom, using your talents, evangelism, and feast. There are also warnings about those who chose not to find Jesus’s kingdom.

The Father also talks about His kingdom in the Old Testament. It reflects who He is and what is important to Him. Holiness, Righteousness, justice, and forgiving are attributed to Him, but so is judgment for those who refuse to do right.  I have noticed that people like to tell God how His kingdom must work, most of this appears to be based on their emotions and poor choices.

Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10b; this phrase was apparently not in Luke in the earliest versions.

I read this somewhere and liked it (no reference), “Father rule on earth as you do in heaven”. Verse 10 has legal overtones, especially this part. The on-line Strong’s does make mention of this. The Greek word for will is thelema and this form of the word is in Matthew 6:10, 18:14, and 26:42. These are just a few times thelema is used in the Gospels