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.
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 honor; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honor.
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 dwelling place, 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.
Numbers Chapter 24 is the final chapter in the story of the prophet Balaam and his interactions with the Israelites. In this chapter, Balaam delivers his final prophecy to the Israelite people before departing from them. The main themes of this chapter include the power of God's word, the importance of obedience, and the blessings and curses that come with following or disobeying God's commands. This chapter serves as a reminder to the Israelites and to readers today of the consequences of our actions and the importance of remaining faithful to God.
The chapter begins with Balaam looking out over the Israelite camp and being filled with the Spirit of God. He then utters the famous words, "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" (Numbers 24:5). Balaam goes on to bless the Israelites and prophesy about their future victories over their enemies. He also speaks of a coming "star out of Jacob" and a "scepter out of Israel" that will crush their enemies and rule with authority (Numbers 24:17). This prophecy is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16). Balaam's words serve as a reminder of God's promise to bless and protect His people, and that His plans are greater than our own.
Throughout the book of Numbers, we see the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. In this chapter, Balaam reminds the Israelites of the blessings that come with obedience. He speaks of the "dust of Jacob" and the "number of the fourth part of Israel" being blessed by God (Numbers 24:17). This is a reminder that when we remain faithful and obedient to God, He will bless us abundantly. The Israelites had experienced this firsthand when they followed God's instructions and were victorious in battle against their enemies. Balaam's words serve as a reminder that obedience to God's commands leads to blessings, both in this life and the next.
On the other hand, Balaam also speaks of the consequences of disobedience. He warns the Israelites that if they turn away from God and follow after other gods, they will face destruction and captivity (Numbers 24:24). This is a reminder of the consequences that come with straying from God's path and following our own desires. The Israelites had already experienced this when they disobeyed God and were punished with plagues and wandering in the wilderness. Balaam's words serve as a warning to us to remain faithful to God and to resist the temptations of the world.
Balaam's prophecies in this chapter also highlight the power of God's word. Balaam was a pagan prophet who was hired by the enemies of the Israelites to curse them. However, each time he attempted to curse them, God intervened and turned his words into blessings. This serves as a reminder that no one can stand against the power of God's word. Even the most unlikely of vessels can be used by God to speak truth and bring blessings. Balaam's story also serves as a warning to us not to underestimate the power of God's word and to always remain faithful to His teachings.
Throughout the book of Numbers, we see the importance of faithfulness to God. The Israelites struggled with this as they constantly grumbled and complained, disobeyed God's commands, and even turned to worshipping other gods. Balaam's final prophecy serves as a reminder to them and to us of the consequences of our actions and the importance of remaining faithful to God. We see this in his words, "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee" (Numbers 24:9). This is a reminder that those who remain faithful to God will be blessed, while those who turn away from Him will face consequences.
In conclusion, Numbers Chapter 24 serves as a powerful reminder of the power of God's word, the importance of obedience, and the consequences of our actions. Balaam's final prophecy to the Israelites serves as a warning to us to remain faithful to God and to trust in His plans and promises. It also serves as a reminder that God can use anyone to speak truth and bring blessings, even those who may seem unlikely. As we reflect on this chapter, may we be reminded of the importance of remaining faithful to God and may we always trust in His plans for our lives.
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