THE PROPHECIES OF BALAAM 1- The first prophecy (23:7-10) concerning the divine incarnation. Balaam could not curse the children of Israel because he was raised to the top of the rocks (Christ the Lord) to behold the sacraments of the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection, as well as descent of the Holy Spirit, and the preaching for the Saviour. If Balak brought Balaam from the mountains of the east (23:7), where the devil transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), and shines like an easterly light, however God took him to the corner stone, i.e. to the peak of the mountains, and to the holy hills. Thus witnessing the people of God, dwelling alone [9], and practicing the elevated divine life (Phil 3:20). Beside to see the Church of God founded over Christ the Lord, the Rock of ages. He was incapable of denouncing God's holy church, for he saw it multiplying and being blessed, where its dust (posterity)is uncountable [10]. He saw the church through the divine incarnation and said: "Let me die the death of the righteous"; [10 LXX]. He wanted to die and get burried in the baptism water and then rise as one of its living members. He longs to partake in the saints' death with Christ. When Balaam blessed God's people, Balak beseeched Him to move into another place [11-15]. He obeyed without hesitation because he was getting paid, but then he presented his second prophecy regarding the sufferings of Christ and His resurrection. 2- The second prophecy [16-24]: it was said: "Rise Balaak" [18]. Although he was standing with Moab's leaders by his burnt offerings [17]; it is ainvitation to the nations personified in Balak (which means the destroyer or corruptor). So the new nature bears the reformation instead of the destruction and corruption. The same thing happened with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:6, Eph 5:14). "Listen to me O son of Zippor" (Bird); if he resembles the fallen bird, without any value, yet he is taken into account before God (Luke 12:6). "The Lord their God is with them" [21]. God sets in the midst of His people through the cross, bestowing upon them their freedom in exchange for Egypt's Bondage [22], represented in the lamb of the Passover. Thus crossing takes place rapidly and strongly like a unicorn [a wild bull that became extinct, it was known for its speed and strength, it had one horn; a sign of sovereignty, Deut 33:7]. It is fulfilled through Christ, the resurrected King. He will rise bestowing the power of resurrection to His people and so they become like lions [24] that never rest until they have devoured their prey [24], i.e. they have extorted the Kingdom. Likewise, through the sufferings of the Master and His resurrection, He bestowed upon His church the resurrection spirit and victory, so there is no place for denunciation but only for blessings. For the second time he asks him to move to a different spot. He took him to the top (peak) of Peor (immorality), His aim was to drive him to seek sensual pleasure and immorality and alienate him from God, so that he may curse God's people. 3- The third prophecy [24:1-14] the day of the Pentecost: this time around, he did not make use of omens and sorcery as has been his habit [1] or did he find a place of solitude. On the contrary, he https://coptic-treasures.com/ 37 directed himself towards the people [2] and the Spirit of God came upon him, his eyes were opened so he could see the situation more clearly [3,4]. He saw the Chruch in union with Christ, enjoying the blessing of salvation, so he gave an account on her birth on the day of Pentecost and said: "How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel" [5]. He saw it as a moving church that abides in tents and at the same time a settled Church being the Lord's Body. That is why he found it in its resting place in the bosom of the Father. Although it is forever growing and moving (Phil 3:13), yet it enjoys an inner stability due to the gift of the Holy Spirit. He calls it "valleys that stretch afar" [6] valleys overcroweded with congregations of righteous people (the holy trees). "Gardens beside a river," it was transformed into Paradise watered by the Holy Spirit (Ps. 46:5; John 4:13; Song 5:1). "Tents that God pitched," these were the product of God" and cedar trees besides the waters" those are God's cedars which support the diving vine branch (Ps 80:8). That is how, the Holy Spirit establishes the Church as God's Paradise, dwelt by Christ the Lord who reigns over many nations [6]. Its goal is releasing the spirit and passing it over from the land of slavery, he says: "God brings him out of Egypt" [7], where evil will undergo destruction with all its fireworks [8]. As for the Church's testimony it is the manifestation of the victory of the Groom and bride together. He couched, he lay down like a lion. Who will raise him up? [9] because He was like a reigning lion when He was up on the Cross, giving His bride the power of resurrection with Him. 4- The forth prophecy [15-19]: Jesus' preaching of the gospel, the divine sacrmanets that surpassed the liminations of the human mind were revealed to Balaam [16] He says "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not nigh, he is talking about witnessing for Christ, he refers to Him until the fullness of time" (Gal 4:4). The Nations will get closer to Him and the Magi will comprehend those words while offering Him thier gifts. He is like a deputy of the nations, he praises God and glorifies Him. He also talks about the unification of the divinity with the humanity by saying "a star shall come forth out of Jacob and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel". Since all this was written in the east the Magi recognized during the birth of Christ, his identity, that He was the Messaih, destroyer of Satan's labours until no one is left in the city [19]; and bestower of power and authority to those who believe in Him. [Note: "Sons of Tumult", "Sons of Sheth" were mentioned in the Septuagint]. 5) The fifth prophecy [20-25]: the acquisition of Christ, some scholars consider it a part of the forth prophecy, it depicts the destruction of Amalek who resisted God and His people. The term "the kenites" [21] refers to the Lord Jesus, the aquired place for dwelling, like a rock we find in Him "Enduring is your dwelling place and your nest is set in a rock." We enter it just like birds nesting in the rock are beseeching Him without fearing the Amalek or Asshur (symbol of the heretics) i.e. from the resistance we face outside the Church or inside it (24:22). He questioned "Alas who shall live when God Does this !" [23] Here he predicts what is going to happen in the future "But ships shall come from Kittim (Crete)" [a prophecy about the Greek empire led by Alexander the Great, most probably he also meant the Roman empire arising from the west]. "And shall afflict Asshur and Eber and he also shall come to destruction" [24]. That is after the submission of the Hebrews to the Babylonian capture (Asshur). Some Scholars regard the submission of Eber to https://coptic-treasures.com/ 38 destruction as a symbol of the rejection of those Jews to Christ, and their perishing because of their lack of faith.
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