A Concealed Kingdom

In Numbers 24, Balak was a king who greatly feared the nation of Israel and tried to get Balaam, a prophet of sorts, to curse them. Balaam was a dabbler in witchcraft, which made him a very interesting character. But in this instance, the scripture says he did not 'seek for secret arts' but rather set his face toward the wilderness.

Num 24:1-9 MKJV
(1) And Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, and he did not go, as at other times, to seek for secret arts, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
(2) And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel pitched, 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 has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said;
(4) he has said; he who heard the words of God, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling down but having his eyes open;
(5) How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your tabernacles, O Israel!
(6) They are spread forth like the valleys, like gardens by the river's side, like the trees of aloes which Jehovah has planted, like 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 brought him forth out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of an ox. He shall eat up the nations, his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
(9) He crouched. He lay down as a lion, and as a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.


Balaam set his face – for once – towards the wilderness because the wilderness is not the habitation of man. He set his face towards a place where only God dwelled.

Now, concerning Israel, Balaam saw how good the tents were. Tents. Individual dwellings. He said… wow… they are EVERYWHERE.

But beyond that, they are like Jehovah has planted them – like cedar trees beside the waters! Does that sound familiar?

(7) Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah, and Jehovah is his trust.
(8) For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters; it sends out its roots by the river, and it shall not fear when the heat comes, but its foliage shall be green; and he is not worried in the year of drought, nor will it cease from yielding fruit.

Jehovah shall pour water out of His buckets. Hmmm….
Act 2:17 MKJV
(17) "And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

His seed shall be in many waters?
Joh 16:7 MKJV
(7) But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.

So His Spirit will dwell in all of us… in each 'tent', or body.

And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. What a kingdom prophecy! Our King is indeed higher than all others.

God brought Him forth out of Egypt. Remember… Jesus' parents fled to Egypt with Him in order to escape the brutal baby-killing Herod.

He has the strength of an Ox. Yes, Jesus was the ultimate servant – usually represented by an Ox. But you don't want a weakling of a servant, you want one that can pull a plow if need-be. Jesus was our Suffering Servant.

He lay down as a lion, and as a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you. Jesus is our Lion of the tribe of Judah. Who indeed shall stir Him up? He came first as a Suffering Servant, but will return as a triumphant King. He is Ox (servant), Man (human), Lion (king), and Eagle (God).

Balaam gave us a hidden prophecy about a Kingdom to come, and a King to come. Israel was the original template for such a kingdom:
(Exo 19:6 MKJV) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the sons of Israel.

We are the Bride, however, and the final, beautiful, spotless, purchased prize of the King and we are expected to walk as such!