Overview
Numbers 24 presents the culmination of Balaam's prophecies, offering a glimpse into Israel's future success and the emergence of a significant leader. Despite being hired to curse Israel, Balaam is moved by the Spirit of God to bless them and prophesy their triumph. Key elements of the chapter include:
Balaam's Vision: Balaam, realizing that God intends to bless Israel, does not resort to divination as before but turns his gaze toward the wilderness, where he sees Israel encamped tribe by tribe. He is moved by the Spirit of God to deliver his message.
Balaam's Third Oracle: Balaam describes Israel's beauty and strength, comparing them to a lion. He blesses them with enduring prosperity and dominance over their enemies.
The Prophecy of a Ruler: One of the most significant aspects of this chapter is Balaam's prophecy about a star and scepter rising out of Jacob, a reference interpreted by many as a messianic prophecy. This ruler will defeat Israel’s enemies and exercise dominion.
Prophecies Against Other Nations: Balaam also delivers prophecies concerning the fate of other nations like Moab, Edom, Amalek, and the Kenites, foretelling their eventual downfall at the hands of Israel.
Balak's Anger and Balaam's Departure: Balak, angered by Balaam's blessings of Israel, dismisses him without reward. Balaam reminds Balak of his inability to go beyond the command of the LORD and then sets off back to his homeland.
Balaam’s Legacy: The chapter concludes Balaam's role in the narrative, leaving a complex legacy as a non-Israelite prophet who blesses Israel and foretells their future successes, yet later passages hint at his negative influence in leading Israel into sin.
Numbers 24 is significant for its messianic prophecy and the portrayal of Israel's destined power and success. Balaam’s oracles, initially intended for harm, become a source of blessing and hope, underscoring the theme that God's purposes for His people cannot be hindered by external forces. The chapter sets a prophetic vision for Israel's role and future in the biblical narrative.
Balaam's Vision: Balaam, realizing that God intends to bless Israel, does not resort to divination as before but turns his gaze toward the wilderness, where he sees Israel encamped tribe by tribe. He is moved by the Spirit of God to deliver his message.
Balaam's Third Oracle: Balaam describes Israel's beauty and strength, comparing them to a lion. He blesses them with enduring prosperity and dominance over their enemies.
The Prophecy of a Ruler: One of the most significant aspects of this chapter is Balaam's prophecy about a star and scepter rising out of Jacob, a reference interpreted by many as a messianic prophecy. This ruler will defeat Israel’s enemies and exercise dominion.
Prophecies Against Other Nations: Balaam also delivers prophecies concerning the fate of other nations like Moab, Edom, Amalek, and the Kenites, foretelling their eventual downfall at the hands of Israel.
Balak's Anger and Balaam's Departure: Balak, angered by Balaam's blessings of Israel, dismisses him without reward. Balaam reminds Balak of his inability to go beyond the command of the LORD and then sets off back to his homeland.
Balaam’s Legacy: The chapter concludes Balaam's role in the narrative, leaving a complex legacy as a non-Israelite prophet who blesses Israel and foretells their future successes, yet later passages hint at his negative influence in leading Israel into sin.
Numbers 24 is significant for its messianic prophecy and the portrayal of Israel's destined power and success. Balaam’s oracles, initially intended for harm, become a source of blessing and hope, underscoring the theme that God's purposes for His people cannot be hindered by external forces. The chapter sets a prophetic vision for Israel's role and future in the biblical narrative.
Numbers 24
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.
🔑 Devotion
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.
🔑 Devotion
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.
End of Numbers 24
1 Year Plan: Mar 8 - Num 24, Num 25, Luk 4
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.
🔑 Devotion
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.
🔑 Devotion
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.
End of Numbers 24
1 Year Plan: Mar 8 - Num 24, Num 25, Luk 4
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