Old Testament · Law

Numbers chapter 24

When Balaam saw that Yahweh was determined to Israel, he didn’t go off looking for like before. Instead, he turned his face toward the wilderness.Balaam looked out and saw Israel camped tribe by tribe. Then rushed over him,and he spoke his : “This is the of Balaam son of Beor, the declaration of the man —the declaration of one who hears what God speaks, who catches visions from — : How beautiful your are, Jacob! How lovely your homes, Israel!They stretch out like river valleys, like gardens that line the water, like Yahweh himself planted, like beside flowing streams., his crops drink deep from abundant streams. His king will tower over , his kingdom will rise high and strong.God brought him out of Egypt with the . He devours hostile nations, cracks their bones, pierces them with his arrows.He crouches, he lies down like a , like a lioness—who would dare wake him? Anyone who receives good in return; anyone who curses you takes the curse on themselves.Balak exploded with anger at Balaam. He and shouted, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, and instead you’ve —three times now!Get out of here! Go home! I promised to , but Yahweh has blocked you from getting anything.”Balaam replied to Balak, “Didn’t I already tell the messengers you sent me—‘Even if Balak gave me his entire palace filled with silver and gold, I could not —not to do anything good or bad on my own.’ Whatever Yahweh says is what I must speak.Now look—I’m going back to my people. But first, let me warn you about what this people will do to your people .”Then he delivered this oracle: “This is the declaration of Balaam son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eyes see true—the declaration of one who hears what God speaks, who knows what knows, who catches visions from the Almighty— collapsing, yet with eyes wide open: I see him—but not yet. I glimpse him—but not near. , . He crushes the foreheads of Moab, shatters the skulls of all the . becomes conquered land, becomes conquered land—his enemies— while Israel marches on in strength. and destroy whoever is left in the city.Then Balaam looked toward and spoke this oracle: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end—.”Then he looked toward the and spoke this oracle: “Your home seems so secure, .But is — how long until ?”Then he spoke his final oracle: “?Ships come from the shores of — they will Assyria, they will humble — but they too will .”Then Balaam got up, headed home, and Balak went on his way.