Balak

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Balak

Numbers 22:2 – 25:9Haftarah: Micah 5:6 – 6:8

Gospel: Mark 11:12-26

Balak = “Balak”

The 36th Torah Portion Reading7th reading in the Book of Numbers

Numbers Chapter 22

Balak’s first message for Balaam is refused

After a second message from Balak, Balaam goes with the Moabite princes

An angel would have slain him, if his ass had not saved him

Balak entertains Balaam

Numbers Chapter 23

Balak’s sacrifice

Numbers Chapter 24

Balaam, leaving divination, prophesies the happiness of Israel

Balak in anger dismisses Balaam

Balaam prophesies of the star of Jacob, and the destruction of some nations

Numbers Chapter 25

The Israelites commit idolatry at Shittim

Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi

The Midianites are to be vexed

Mark 11:12-21

Literary “Sandwich” structure

Mark 11:12 – 14 Fig tree cursed

Mark 11:15 – 18 Temple cleansed

Mark 11:19 – 21 Fig tree dried up

Fig Tree

The fig tree usually produces leaves in March and then starts to bear fruit in June, with another crop in August.

Fig tree is often associated ith the nation Israel. Jer 8:13; 29:17; Hos 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7; Mic 7:1-6; Nah 3:12

The year before this incident John the Baptist had put the ax to the roots of the tree Matt 3:10

Matthew 3:10

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

John the Baptist Preaching in Judea when he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees he said to them:

Fig Tree

This is the only instance of our Lord using His miraculous powers to destroy something in nature.

He was making a lesson on failure to be fruitful.

Jesus used it as a visual parable; It may have became the most fruitful tree that ever grew because of this incident!

Mark 11:12-1412 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Fig Tree

Why did Jesus feel that there should be fruit on the fig tree to eat this time of the year, in early spring probably April?

1.In just using the fig tree for a visual picture perhaps there didn’t need to be fruit on the tree.

2.There may have been edible buds on the tree this time of year

Mark 11:15

15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Mark 11:16-17

16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Isa. 56:7 / Jer. 7:11

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Jeremiah 7:11

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

Vessel

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

That your prayers be not hindered

Mark 11:18-19

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.

Mark 11:20-21

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Mark 11:22

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God

Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11: 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11: 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11: 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Mark 11:22

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God

Mark 11:2323 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:22-23

Mark 11:24

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:25-2625 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness

A Study of Balak

Balak

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