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Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Numbers 23

Num 23:1-12—Balaam: the prophecy from the high places of Baal. The separation of Israel.

Num 23:5 And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.

the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth

Inspiration. vs. 5, 12-16; Deu 4:2, 13. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

Num 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

took up his parable, and said

In the prophecies of Balaam God testifies on behalf of His people rather than (as usual) to them. It is the divine testimony to their standing as a redeemed people in view of the serpent "lifted up," and of the water from the smitten rock (Numbers 21:5-9; 20:11). Their state was morally bad, but this was a matter concerning the discipline of God, not His judgment. The interpretation of the prophecies is literal as to Israel, typical as to Christians. Through Christ "lifted up" (John 3:14) our standing is eternally secure and perfect, though our state may require the Father's discipline (1 Corinthians 11:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:4-9; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:10-13); meantime, against all enemies, God is "for us" (Romans 8:31).


Num 23:13-26—Balaam: the prophecy from Pisgah: the justification and power of Israel.

Num 23:13 And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.

thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all

Better, thou seest but the extremity of them, and dost not see them all.

Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

repent

Scofield Zechariah 8:14, note.

Num 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

unicorn

i.e. the aurochs, or wild ox.


Num 23:27-30—Balaam: the prophecy from Peor: (1) the beauty and order of Israel.

Num 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

against

Or, in.

What hath God wrought!

Psa 31:19; 44:1.

Num 23:28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.

that looketh toward Jeshimon

Num 21:20.

Jeshimon

Or, the waste.

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