Numbers 24

Numbers 24:1

24:1, 2 Realizing that God was determined to bless Israel, Balaam did not seek to get a message of cursing. He simply looked down over the camp of Israel, and the Spirit of God came upon him, causing him to say things beyond his own wisdom and will. 24:3-9 The third message spoke of the beauty of the tents of Israel and predicted tremendous fruitfulness, widespread prosperity, a glorious kingdom, and crushing power over all foes. Agag (v. 7) was probably a name common to many Amalekites. None would dare to rouse this crouching lion (v. 9). Those who blessed Israel would be blessed, and a curse would only bring cursing. Balaam’s prophecy here echoes the covenant given to Abraham: “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (Gen_12:3). 24:10-14 Thoroughly frustrated by now, Balak denounced Balaam for his failure to cooperate. But the prophet reminded him that from the beginning he had said that he could only speak . . . the word of the LORD. Before leaving Balak to return to his own home, Balaam offered to tell the king what Israel would do to the Moabite people in days to come. 24:15-19 The fourth oracle concerns a king (“Star” or “Scepter”) who would rise in Israel to conquer Moab and all the sons of tumult (v. 17; cf. Jer_48:45). Edom also would be subjugated by this ruler. This prophecy was partially fulfilled by King David, but will enjoy its complete fulfillment at the second coming of Christ. 24:20-25 Similar promises of doom were uttered by Balaam concerning the Amalekites, the Kenites, Assyria (Asshur), and the people of Eber (vv. 20-24). The Amalekites would be utterly destroyed. The Kenites would be gradually depleted in number until the Assyrians would finally take them captive. Even the Assyrians would be captured by armed forces from Cyprus (Heb. Kittim, which generally means Cyprus, but probably represents Greece here and the forces of Alexander the Great). Eber probably means the non-Jewish descendants of this postdiluvian patriarch. Before Balaam left Balak, he set the wheels in motion for the tragic events of chapter 25.