The Law · Chapter 24 of 36

Numbers 24

No longer seeking enchantments, Balaam sees Israel encamped by tribes, and the Spirit of God comes upon him. He praises the beauty of their tents and God's blessing upon them. In a final oracle he foretells one who will rise: a Star out of Jacob and a Sceptre out of Israel who will exercise dominion over Israel's enemies. Balak sends him away in anger.

What happens in Numbers 24

For his final blessing Balaam abandons his earlier attempts at divination and simply turns toward the wilderness where Israel is camped by tribes. The Spirit of God comes upon him, and he speaks with open eyes. He praises the beauty of Israel's tents, comparing them to lush valleys, gardens by a river, and cedars beside the waters, and declares their king will be exalted and their kingdom lifted up. He repeats that those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse them are cursed.

Balak, furious that Balaam has blessed his enemies three times, dismisses him. Before leaving, Balaam delivers one more oracle about the latter days: he sees, though not now, a Star coming out of Jacob and a Sceptre rising out of Israel who will crush Israel's foes and hold dominion. He then pronounces judgments on Amalek, the Kenites, and other nations before returning home.

Numbers 24 in context

These are Balaam's climactic oracles, spoken on the eve of Israel's entry into the land. The image of a Star and Sceptre uses royal language; a scepter signifies kingship and a rising star signifies a coming ruler. Later Judaism read this as a messianic promise, and one rebel leader was even nicknamed Bar Kokhba, son of the star, after it.

The oracle looks past immediate conquests to a king who would arise in the latter days.

Main themes of Numbers 24

Numbers 24 (KJV)

1And 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. 2And 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. 3And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6As 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. 7He 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. 8God 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. 9He 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. 10And 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. 11Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. 12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13If 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? 14And 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. 15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16He 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: 17I 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. 18And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 20And 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. 21And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. 25And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.

Verses to carry from Numbers 24

“How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!”Numbers 24:5

“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.”Numbers 24:9

“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.”Numbers 24:17

Reflection

What hope am I asked to hold that I see but not now, that I behold but not near? Balaam glimpsed a King far beyond his horizon. Consider a promise of God you are still waiting on, and let the certainty of the coming King steady your patience today.

A prayer from Numbers 24