Balaam’s Third Message
Numbers 24When Balaam saw that it pleased YHWH to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness. Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him. He took up his parable, and said,
“Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says; he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your dwellings, Israel! As valleys they are spread out, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which YHWH has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters. Water will flow from his buckets. His seed will be in many waters. His king will be higher than Agag. His kingdom will be exalted. God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He will consume the nations his adversaries, and break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows. He crouches, he lies down like a lion or lioness, who would rouse them? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.”Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed-blessed them these three times. So now, run away to your place! I said that I would honor-honor you, but YHWH has denied you honor.”
Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, ‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of YHWH, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what YHWH says’? Now, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you on what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
Balaam’s Final Messages
He took up his parable, and said,
“Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says; he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, He will strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be a possession. Seir, his enemy, will also be a possession, while Israel does valiantly. One who comes from Jacob will have dominion, he will destroy the remnant from the city.”He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said,
“Amalek was the first of the nations, but his future is destruction.”He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said,
“Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock. Nevertheless Kain will be destroyed, until Asshur carries you away captive.”He took up his parable, and said,
“Alas! Who can live when God does this? But ships will come from the coast of Kittim. They will afflict Asshur and Eber. So they also will come to destruction.”Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.