Before dawn over the hills of Moab, one bright star hangs low above a long dark ridge, the plain below still in shadow.

The Book of

Numbers 24

Balaam stops looking for omens and looks at the camp. What he sees, he has to bless, all the way to a star rising out of Jacob.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–10Ready at SinaiCounted and ordered
11–14GrumblingTo Kadesh and refusal
15–21Forty yearsRebellion and mercy
22–25BalaamA curse turned to blessingChapter 24
26–36A new generationReady for the land

Balaam’s Third Oracle

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.

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When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,

and he lifted up an oracle, saying:

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

Balaam

God brought him out of Egypt

with strength like a wild ox,

to devour hostile nations and crush their bones,

to pierce them with arrows.

He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.

Numbers 24:9

Reflect

The blessing reached you

“Blessed are those who bless you.” A hired diviner echoes what God first promised Abraham. That promise did not stop at Israel’s tents. Through Abraham’s greatest Son, Jesus, the blessing has reached people of every nation, and it reached you. Write down how the blessing of Christ first came to you: a person, a place, a word you heard. Then write the name of someone you could bless this week.

Balak Dismisses Balaam

Balak

Balak

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.

Balak

Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

Balaam

Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.

Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Question

Quick question

Balak paid for curses. He got something else, again and again.

How many times had Balaam blessed Israel when Balak sent him away?

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying,

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

Numbers 24:17

He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

Edom will become a possession,

as will Seir, his enemy;

but Israel will perform with valor.

A ruler will come from Jacob

and destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Amalek was first among the nations,

but his end is destruction.”

Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Your dwelling place is secure,

and your nest is set in a cliff.

Yet Kain will be destroyed

when Asshur takes you captive.”

At dawn three small wooden ships with single masts and square sails come in over a gray-blue sea toward a rocky coast.

Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Ah, who can live

unless God has ordained it?

Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;

they will subdue Asshur and Eber,

but they too will perish forever.”

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

Four oracles, one blessing

Whiteboard

Balak hired Balaam to curse. Four times Balaam opened his mouth, and four times blessing came out: no one can curse whom God has not cursed; God does not lie; “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob”; and “A star will come forth from Jacob.” Then a glance at the nations: Amalek, the Kenites, Asshur, and the ships from Cyprus. Later Moses would say it plainly: the LORD turned the curse into a blessing, because He loved His people.

Pray

Thanks for the Star

Balaam said, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.” We can say, ‘He has come.’ Thank God for Jesus, the Star who rose out of Jacob and the King whose “kingdom will be exalted.” Worship Him as the ruler whose kingdom has no end, and ask Him to make you a blessing to someone today.

You’ve experienced

Numbers 24

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A verse to carry with you

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel.

Numbers 24:17

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