Numbers 11
Numbers 12
Numbers 13
(Num 14:11-12)
And YHVH said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will it be before they believe me, with all the signs which I have shown among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a greater nation and mightier than they.Numbers 16
(Num 16:44-45)
And YHVH spoke unto Moses, saying, Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.Numbers 17
Numbers 20
Numbers 21
BALAAM and BALAK, A new lesson?
(Num 22:11-12)
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, who cover the face of the earth: come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And YHVH said unto Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people: for they are blessed.(Num 23:7-12)
And he took up his oracle, and said, Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse for me Jacob, and come, denounce Israel. How shall I curse, whom YHVH has not cursed? or how shall I denounce, whom YHVH has not denounced? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! And Balak said unto Balaam, What have you done unto me? I took you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have blessed them altogether. And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which YHVH has put in my mouth?(Num 23:18-24)
And he took up his oracle, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, you son of Zippor: YHVH is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he has blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither has he seen perverseness in Israel: YHVH his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. YHVH brought them out of Egypt; he has as it were the strength of a wild ox. 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 has God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up themselves as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eats of the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.(Num 24:1-9)
And when Balaam saw that it pleased YHVH to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in its tents according to its tribes; and the spirit of YHVH came upon him. And he took up his oracle, and said, Balaam the son of Beor has said, and the man whose eyes are open has said: He has said, who heard the words of YHVH, who saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as aloes which YHVH has planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 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. YHVH brought him forth out of Egypt; he has as it were the strength of a wild ox: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He crouched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesses you, and cursed is he that curses you.How would we speak of Israel in this situation? If we were privy to what was happening in the camp, probably pretty negatively. We learn from the story of Balaam that YHVH spoke well of them to others, DESPITE their behavior.
When dealing with people, there should be no coddling for sin, but how do we speak about others?
Consider the parallel of Yeshua (Jesus) considering Israel his "bride". Do we speak well of our spouse to others?
We should examine our motives in speaking about others? Are we only interested in speaking "the naked truth"? Or even worse yet, "hear say"?
(Prov 11:13)
A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.Notice the contrast of this same verse in 2 different Bible versions, they can both be true at the same time.
(Prov 18:8)
(Prov 18:8)
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.(Prov 20:19)
He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore associate not with him who flatters with his lips.(Prov 16:27)
An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.Be concerned with what YHVH wants said. Speak life and blessing?
(Prov 16:21)
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.(Prov 16:23)
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.(Prov 16:24)
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.(Jas 3:10)
Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.Summary Verse
(Matt 5:44)
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;