The gospel in Numbers 22?

Yesterday, I attended another church locally which is quite different from the one I pastor. My family and I were very encouraged that the preached message was clear and helpful, as well as being very ably and winsomely delivered. It was based on Numbers 22 and the incident with Balaam and the donkey (also referenced in 2 Peter 2).

The helpful message yesterday focused on Balaam's resistance to the plain truth of God, and how God used unexpected ways, and people to get his Word across. Towards the end of the message, the preacher focused on Numbers 22:34 which says, "Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back." The verb turn back is the Hebrew verb "shoove" which is about turning around, changing direction. Legitimately, the preacher applied this to our own turning to God in repentance and faith.

While the verse above does indeed relate to our *response* to God, I have been reflecting on what the "gospel" is in this passage. By "gospel" I mean the element of God's saving action, ultimately fulfilled in his work through Christ, as opposed to the element of "law", which denotes our obedience etc.

My conclusion has been that the "gospel" in this passage and incident is the underlying truth that Balaam the prophet was unable to curse God's people whom God had blessed. Just as God had earlier granted victory to his people over the Amorites and Og of Bashan. God's action in sending the Angel of the LORD, armed with a sword, to stand in Balaam's way is to be understood within this wider context of his blessing and promises to his people.

If we continue this line of thought, and ask, "Where is Christ?" in this passage, then an obvious answer is that Christ is prefigured by the Angel of the LORD wielding the sword (Numbers 22:23). The Angel of the LORD (as opposed to "an angel of the LORD") is an Old Testament theophany (revelation of God), where God himself appears on earth, acts and speaks in the first person, inviting a response of worship due to God alone (e.g. Exodus 3:2). The sword references Christ's words, "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword," but, at a more profound level, it references Christ's "office" as King, Christus Victor, "defeating his and our enemies" (Westminster Longer Catechism). His work of judgment is not merely opposing Balaam, but also savingly taking the side of his people, granting them victory and ensuring them blessing.

PS The donkey in the text is female (in the German translation, "Eselin").

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