Numbers 24

Balaam Finally Gets It, God Is Not Changing His Mind

1 By now, Balaam realized that the Lord was determined to bless Israel, so he did not go looking for signs like before. Instead, he just faced the wilderness.

2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel camped by their tribes, the Spirit of God came over him.

3 And he spoke this message: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man whose eyes have been opened.”

4 “The one who hears the words of God, who sees what the Almighty shows him, who falls into a trance with his eyes wide open.”

Balaam’s Blessing Over Israel

5 “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel!”

6 “They spread out like valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedar trees by the waters.”

7 “Water will flow from their buckets, their crops will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag, their kingdom will be exalted!”

8 “God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox! They will devour nations, crush their enemies, and break their bones!”

9 “Like a lion, they crouch and lie down. Who dares to wake them up, Anyone who blesses Israel will be blessed, and anyone who curses Israel will be cursed!”

Balak Loses It on Balaam

10 Balak was furious with Balaam. He clapped his hands together and said, “I called you to curse my enemies, but instead, you blessed them three times!”

11 “Now get out of here! Go back home! I was going to make you rich, but the Lord has taken that away from you!”

12 Balaam said, “Did I not tell your messengers?”

13 “If Balak gave me a palace full of silver and gold, I still could not go against the Lord’s command. I can only say what God tells me.”

Balaam’s Final Prophecy

14 “But before I go, let me tell you what these Israelites are going to do to your people in the future.”

15 Then Balaam spoke this prophecy: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man whose eyes have been opened.”

16 “The one who hears the words of God, who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees what the Almighty shows him, who falls into a trance with his eyes wide open.”

17 “I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not close. A star will rise from Jacob, a scepter will rise from Israel. He will crush Moab’s leaders and destroy all the sons of Sheth.”

18 “Edom will be conquered, Seir will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.”

19 “A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy what is left of his enemies.”

Balaam Prophesies Against More Nations

20 Then Balaam looked at Amalek and said: “Amalek was the first among nations, but in the end, they will be wiped out.”

21 Then he looked at the Kenites and said: “Your home is secure, your nest is set in the rock.”

22 “But you Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you away as captives.”

23 Then Balaam said: “Look, a disaster is coming! Who can survive when God does this?”

24 “Ships will come from Kittim, attack Assyria and Eber, but they too will be destroyed.”

Balaam Leaves, Balak Goes Home

25 Then Balaam got up and went back home, and Balak went his own way.