Numbers 24
Balaam Prophesies Yet Again
24:1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at the other times to seek for omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
24:2 When Balaam lifted up his eyes, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
Balaam was on the top of a mountain in a pagan grove which offered sacrifices to demonic gods. He looked down at the camp of Israel. Their arrangement was in the shape of a cross. The Holy Spirit came upon him and gave him direct divine revelation from God. The Holy Spirit can give divine information to pagans, even if they are practicing the occult.
24:3 Then he uttered this oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; 24:4 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: 24:5 ‘How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel! 24:6 They are like valleys stretched forth, like gardens by the river’s side, like aloes that the Lord has planted, and like cedar trees beside the waters. 24:7 He will pour the water out of his buckets, and their descendants will be like abundant water; their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be exalted. 24:8 God brought them out of Egypt. They have, as it were, the strength of a young bull; they will devour hostile people and will break their bones and will pierce them through with arrows. 24:9 They crouch and lie down like a lion, and as a lioness, who can stir him? Blessed is the one who blesses you, and cursed is the one who curses you!’”
This is a paraphrase of Balaam’s third prophecy, “This is the oracle of Balaam, a man whose eyes are open to spiritual things. The tents of Israel are beautifully arranged (in a cross). They are like beautiful valleys stretched forth across the plains. The tents are like beautiful flowers planted by Jehovah. The tents are like strong cedar trees planted by the river. God will pour out buckets of rain from the sky to keep their crops green. The Messianic King of Israel will be greater than that of King Agag. The kingdom of the Messianic King will be exalted above all kingdoms. God brought Israel out of Egypt to become as strong as a bull. Israel will devour their enemies. Israel will break the bones of their enemies. Israel will pierce the bodies of their enemies with arrows. Israel crouches like a lion, ready to pounce upon her victims. Israel is a lioness who protects her cubs, so you better not make Israel angry. Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, but whoever curses Israel will be cursed.”
24:10 Then Balak became very angry at Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have done nothing but bless them these three times! 24:11 So now, go back where you came from! I said that I would greatly honor you; but now the Lord has stood in the way of your honor.”
King Balak was very upset at Balaam. Instead of cursing Israel, he blessed Israel three times. King Balak refused to pay Balaam the money.
24:12 Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 24:13 ‘If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the Lord tells me I must speak’? 24:14 And now, I am about to go back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future.”
Balaam reminded King Balak that he could not curse Israel unless Jehovah allowed him to do so.
Balaam Prophesies a Fourth Time
24:15 Then he uttered this oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor; the oracle of the man whose eyes are open; 24:16 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: 24:17 ‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A star will march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth 24:18 Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly. 24:19 A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.’”
This is a paraphrase of Balaam’s fourth prophecy, “This is a prophecy from one who can see into the future. This prophecy comes from a man who hears the word of God. This prophecy comes from one who knows the knowledge of El Shaddai. I see the Messiah, but not in the present time. I behold the Messiah, but He is a long way off. He will be a star who will come out of Israel. He will be a ruler with a scepter from the nation of Israel. He will crush the heads of Moab. He will crush the heads of Sheth. He will possess the land of Edom. He will possess the land of Sier. He will possess all of the lands of his enemies. Israel will in the future act valiantly. This ruler will come from Israel. He will destroy the remains of the city of Moab.”
Balaam’s Final Prophecies
24:20 Then Balaam looked on Amalek and delivered this oracle: “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his end will be that he will perish.”
This is a paraphrase of Balaam’s fourth prophecy, “The Amalakites are doomed. They were one of the first of nations, but they will perish.”
24:21 Then he looked on the Kenites and uttered this oracle: “Your dwelling place seems strong, and your nest is set on a rocky cliff. 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite will be consumed. How long will Asshur take you away captive?”
This is a paraphrase of Balaam’s fifth prophecy, “You Kenites think that you live safely in the rocky cliffs, but you will be exterminated. Assyria will destroy you and make you their slaves.”
24:23 Then he uttered this oracle: “O, who will survive when God does this!
24:24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever.”
This is a paraphrase of Balaam’s sixth prophecy,”God will wipe out the shipping industry of the Phoenicians. The Assyrians and Eber will also perish forever”.
24:25 Balaam got up and departed and returned to his home, and Balak also went his way.
Balaam traveled back to Babylon. He took information of the Messiah back to his home nation. He most likely recorded it. Daniel would later have access to this prophecy. The Babylonian wise men during the days of Jesus would also have knowledge of this prophecy.