"The Death of the Righteous"
After the incident with the donkey, Balaam came to Balak. It is interesting to note that Balak brought Balaam to “the high places of Baal” (Num. 22:41). Apparently, Near Eastern pagans built their shrines on the tops of mountains so as to be nearer the gods whom they wished to influence. Balaam ordered the king to build at this place seven altars and offer seven bullocks and seven rams thereon.
Read the words that Balaam, controlled by God, spoke over the children of Israel. What powerful message, and promise, is found in them? What hope is offered to us all in them, as well? See Num. 23:5–10; see also 1 Corinthians 15.
“He saw them supported by His arm as they enter the dark valley of the shadow of death. And he beheld them coming forth from their graves, crowned with glory, honor, and immortality. He saw the redeemed rejoicing in the unfading glories of the earth made new. Gazing upon the scene, he exclaimed, ‘Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel?’ And as he saw the crown of glory on every brow, the joy beaming from every countenance, and looked forward to that endless life of unalloyed happiness, he uttered the solemn prayer, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!’”—Ellen G. White, Patriarch and Prophets, p. 447.
What does it mean to “die the death of the righteous”? What is the only way we can die such a death? Rom. 3:20–24.
In a sense, these words of God uttered over His ancient people reflect the gospel promise of all of God’s people in every age, the promise of eternal life because of the righteousness of Jesus. None of us are righteous; none of us live or die in and of ourselves with enough righteousness to deliver us from the grave. Only the righteousness of Jesus can, which is credited to us by faith. Here, in the book of Numbers, with the story of Balaam, God is revealing to us the promise of salvation through Jesus.
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