"LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS"
NUMBERS 23:10b

Daniel Parks

Balaam was a heathen prophet hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel, the children of God (22:1-21). But God accosted him on his way to curse, and instructed him to prophesy as God directed (21:22-35). Balaam observed the people he was paid to curse (22:36-23:3), and blessed them instead (23:4-12). He even said, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his" (23:10b). How do the righteous die?

I. THE RIGHTEOUS DIE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (text).

Their righteousness is not self-righteousness, for even the wicked have such, and God demands a better righteousness (e.g. Matthew 5:20). The righteousness God requires is imputed righteousness. Balaam's knowledge of this may be suggested by his reference to "one fourth of Israel" (v.10a). The Israelites were divided into four divisions which were encamped on each of the four sides of the tabernacle (Numbers 2). The service of the tabernacle included a priest who sacrificed a lamb on the altar of God for the sins of Israel, after which the people were declared forgiven.

• The tabernacle's priest pre-figured Jesus Christ, the "High Priest over the house of God" (Hebrews 10:21; 8:1-6).
• The tabernacle's sacrificial lamb pre-figured Jesus Christ, "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29,36).
• The tabernacle's altar pre-figured Jesus Christ and the cross upon which He was sacrificed (Hebrews 13:10).
• The declaration of the tabernacle's priest, that those for whom the lamb was slain were forgiven, pre-figured the righteousness of Jesus Christ being imputed to believers (Romans 3:21-26; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:20f; Philippians 3:8f).

This imputed righteousness results in imparted righteousness, holy living. Therefore, furthermore observe:

II. THE RIGHTEOUS DIE IN HOLINESS (v.9b).

Balaam acknowledged them as "A people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations." That is, God has separated His people from the wicked (Exodus 19:5f; 1 Peter 2:9f), and requires them to live in holiness before Him (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). All who obey will be separated by God from the wicked at the final judgment, and received into everlasting bliss while the wicked are condemned to everlasting damnation (Psalm 1; Matthew 25:31ff).

III. THE RIGHTEOUS DIE IN BLESSEDNESS (vv.11f,7f).

Balaam declared God's people to be blessed by Him with a bliss and happiness impervious to the curses of men: "How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?" And with what are they blessed? They are received into the presence of their Lord instantaneously at death (2 Corinthians 5:6-8), and escorted by Him through death (Psalm 23:4-6), and blessed by Him for all eternity (Revelation 14:13). It is no wonder that the righteous do not fear physical death, and instead consider it better than physical life (Philippians 1:21-23). At death, their happiness is forever intensified to the fullest, while whatever happiness the wicked have enjoyed is forever ended.

None but those who live the life of the righteous will die the death of the righteous. Balaam refused to live in righteousness, and therefore died in unrighteousness (Numbers 31:8). How will you live and die?