ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Falaite Siulai 2, 2021

ke ke fei mo puna ki ho feitu‘u

Now therefore, flee to your place

Nomipa 24 (Numbers 24)

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

From the closing sentences in chapter twenty-three we learn that Balaam was taken to yet another place of vision, from whence he looked on the desert. The Spirit of God came upon him and again he uttered only the things which God would have him speak. Here the indexing statement is, How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, Thy tabernacles, O Israel!

Thus there was given to him the vision of a people victorious and prosperous.

The progressive note of these utterances is self-evident. First, there was revealed a people separated to God, dwelling alone. Second, they were seen as a people governed by God. Finally, they were seen therefore as a people victorious.

All this lead to the fourth and final prophecy of Balaam, the principal note of which is: There shall come forth a star out of Jacob.

Thus the far-distant movements of the divine economy were for a moment laid bare to his vision. He beheld a Person shining as a star, swaying a scepter, and conquering as He goes.

The last word having been spoken, Balaam left Balak and went to his place. Having failed to curse the people of God, he set himself to injure them. As John says in his Apocalypse, he "cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication" ( Rev 2:14 ). How fearfully he succeeded is shown in the subsequent story.

 

David Guzik :: Study Guide for Numbers 24

10 Pea puke ‘ita ‘a Pēlaki kia Pēlami, ‘o ne fakapā hono nima: ‘o ne pehē kia Pēlami, Na‘a ku ui koe ke tutuku‘i hoku ngaahi fili, pea ko eni kuo ke mātu‘aki tāpuaki‘i kinautolu ‘o tu‘o tolu. 11 Pea ko ia ke ke fei mo puna ki ho feitu‘u: na‘a ku pehē ke fu‘u fakahīkihiki‘i koe, ka tā kuo ta‘ofi koe ‘e he ‘Eiki mei he hākeaki‘i.

10 Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! 11 Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord has kept you back from honor.”

a. I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor: Balak said that he would not pay Balaam because Balaam would not curse Israel. This hit Balaam where it really hurt him.

b. The LORD says, that I must speak: Balaam tried his best to excuse himself, and to blame God. But he knew that his heart's desire (a big paycheck) would not be fulfilled, because he failed to please his employer.

i. Perhaps at that moment Balaam saw the greater wisdom of God in telling him not to go, because now it seemed the whole trip was a big waste, and Balaam would not get his money.