Numbers 24
(1) Balaam’s 3rd Blessing for Israel
When Balaam realized that the Existing One saw it fit to bless Israel, he stopped contacting the supernatural realm with his enchantments, and he turned toward the wilderness. As he looked up and saw Israel’s camp grouped by their tribes, God’s Spirit came to him. Balaam recited his poem, saying,
“Here’s what Balaam (Beor’s son) says. These are the words of the man whose eye has been opened. The words of the person who hears what God says. The guy who sees visions from the Ultimate Being. Falling down, yet having your eyes opened:
“Your tents are such a lovely sight, Jacob. I love your dwellings, Israel! They’re like riverbed canyons sprawling out, or like orchards next to a stream. They’re like aloe planted next to the Existing One or cedar trees next to the water.
“Water will flow from your buckets, and your descendants will congregate near the water. Your king will rise higher than Agag [whose name means “I will overtop”]. Your empire will be lifted high.
“God brought you away from Egypt, and if you were a wild ox, God would be your horns. You’ll gobble up the other people groups who oppose you, and you’ll crush their bones to pieces. You’ll shatter them with your arrows. You’ll lie down like a lion, and no one will dare to bother you. Everyone who blesses you will be blessed, and everyone who curses you will be cursed.”
(10) King Balak Gives up on Cursing Israel
That made Balak furious. He clapped his hands together and said,
“I brought you here to curse my enemies, and here you are blessing them—not once, but three times! You better head back to your home now. I said I’d reward you handsomely, but the Existing One has prevented you from receiving that.”
Balaam replied,
“Didn’t I tell your messengers? No matter how much gold you gave me, I can’t do anything of my own accord—good or bad—if it goes against what the Existing One says. I told them that I could only say whatever the Existing One told me to say!
“I’ll go back home now. You’re welcome to visit me if you want me to advise you on what the Israelites will do to your country in the future.”
(15) Balaam’s 4th Blessing
Then Balaam recited his poem, saying,
“These are the words of Balaam (Beor’s son). The words of the man whose eye has been opened. The words of the man who can hear what God says. The man who can see visions from the Ultimate Being. The man who is falling down, yet has his eyes opened:
‘I see a man, but not now. I look at him, but he’s in the distance. A star will come from Jacob. A clan will spring up from Israel like a young tree. It will pierce through Moab’s forehead [Moab was Lot’s descendants] and destroy all of Seth’s descendants. [Seth was Adam and Eve’s third son.] Edom will be brought to ruin [Edom was Esau’s descendants]. Israel’s enemy, Seir, will be brought to ruin, while Israel enjoys wild success [Seir was the land where Esau’s descendants lived]. Someone from Jacob will be in charge and destroy whatever is left from that city.”
He looked toward Amalek [descendants of Esau’s grandson, Amalek], and recited his poem, saying,
“Amalek was the first nation, but he will end in destruction.”
He looked at the Kenite tribe [southern Palestine] and said,
“The place where you live endures, and your nest is nestled in the cliff. But you will be burnt to a crisp. How long will Asshur keep you captive? [Asshur was Shem’s second son and Assyria’s ancestor.]”
He continued, saying,
“Oh, my… who could ever live unless if God has appointed it? Ships will come from the coasts of Kittim [Mediterranean islands], and they will attack Asshur and Eber. [Eber was a descendant of Shem]. They will also be destroyed.”
(25) Balaam and Balak Part Ways
Then Balaam got up and went back to his home, and Balak went to his.
