1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:
5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel!
6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.
7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows.
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee.
10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times.
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do [either] good or bad of mine own mind; [but] what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.
21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
24 And ships [shall come] from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Overview of Numbers Chapter 24
Numbers Chapter 24 continues the narrative of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who is summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. However, the chapter highlights Balaam’s transformation as he ultimately blesses Israel instead of cursing them, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over human intentions.
Balaam’s Prophecy
In this chapter, Balaam receives a divine revelation that leads him to prophesy about Israel’s future. The chapter can be broken down into several key sections:
- Balaam’s Response to God’s Spirit: Balaam is filled with the Spirit of God, which leads him to utter blessings instead of curses.
- First Oracle (Verses 3-9): Balaam declares the greatness of Israel, emphasizing their strength and the divine favor upon them.
- Second Oracle (Verses 15-19): Balaam prophesies about a star coming out of Jacob and a scepter rising out of Israel, symbolizing a future king and the defeat of Israel’s enemies.
- Final Oracle (Verses 20-24): Balaam speaks of the ultimate downfall of Israel’s enemies, including Amalek and the Assyrians.
Thematic Analysis
Several themes emerge from this chapter that are significant for understanding the broader narrative of the Israelites and their relationship with God:
- The Sovereignty of God: Despite Balak’s intentions to curse Israel, God’s will prevails, showcasing His control over the situation.
- Divine Blessing vs. Human Cursing: The chapter illustrates the contrast between human desires to harm and God’s purpose to bless His people.
- Prophetic Authority: Balaam’s prophecies emphasize the role of prophets in conveying God’s messages, even when they are not part of the Israelite community.
- Hope for Israel: The imagery of a star and a scepter points to a messianic hope, foreshadowing future leaders and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
Character Analysis
The chapter presents two primary characters: Balaam and Balak.
- Balaam: Initially portrayed as a mercenary prophet, Balaam’s character evolves as he aligns with God’s will. His transformation signifies the power of divine influence over individual choices.
- Balak: The king of Moab represents human opposition to God’s plans. His frustration and anger at Balaam’s blessings highlight the futility of resisting God’s intentions.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 24 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites, reinforcing the idea that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human actions. Balaam’s blessings instead of curses symbolize the assurance of God’s protection and favor upon His chosen people, setting the stage for their future conquests and the establishment of a kingdom under divine guidance.
