Scripture: How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you. Numbers 24:5-9 ESV
Observation: Seeing that his blessings pleased the God of Israel, Balaam did not seek signs from omens to guide his fortune-telling as he did the first two times (v.1). Rather, he “set his face” toward the wilderness where he saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Here, the Spirit of God overwhelmed him (v.2). Hence, he utters his third oracle (excerpt above), which follows the below outline:
A. The blessings of Israel will extend to the land (vv.5–7).
- Israel’s dwellings will be beautiful (v.5).
- Israel’s resources will be plentiful (v.6-7a).
- Israel’s kingdom will be exalted (v.7b).
B. The blessings of Israel are its God (v.8).
- Israel’s God is its deliverer (v.8a).
- Israel’s God is its protector (v.8b).
- Israel’s God is its victor (vv.8c-e).
C. The blessings of Israel are decisive (v.9).
- Israel is like a lion in waiting (v.9a).
- Israel’s blessing remains secure in God (v.9b).
This third pronouncement goads Balak, who claps his hands together disgustingly and derides Balaam for blessing his enemies (perceiving Israel as a threat). So he, in turn, lodges his threat at Balaam, telling him to flee to his home and, arrogantly, adds that the Lord held Balaam back from receiving the honor Balak intended to bestow on him. So Balaam fires back that he had warned Balak’s messengers that no amount of treasure would sway what the Lord would speak through him. Finally, before parting company, Balaam announces his final discourse revealing what Israel will do to Moab in the latter days (vv.10-14). Here ends the scene.
Takeaway: Our text presents a potentially problematic citation that would indicate that it was a later insertion from the era of Israel’s kings. The name Agag (verse 7 above) appears again in 1 Samuel 15:32-22 when Saul defeats his nemesis. However, given that our text says, “the Spirit of God came upon him,” referring to Balaam (v.3), it is reasonable to conclude that his prophecy looks not just to the conquest of the Promised Land but two other monumental victories:
- that of Israel’s first King, Saul, and
- that of Israel’s last king, the Messiah, who would crush the head of his ultimate nemesis: Satan.
But what can we glean from the broad stroke of this third oracle? First, God’s blessings are not just for his people but all his creation (extending to the land). Paul alludes to this in his letter to the Romans: “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21 ESV).
Secondly, God is our blessing: he is our deliverer, protector, and victor. Outside a saving, loving relationship with our Lord, any temporal success of life by his good graces is meaningless in the scope of eternity. Sadly, Balaam would soon discover this reality when he turns back to his conniving ways and suffers a betrayer’s death (31:8, 16).
Lastly, Yahweh’s blessings are decisive. At the Cross, the Lion of Judah pounced on our enemy—verified when he rose from his “cave” victorious over death and ascended to our Father’s right hand, assuming his reign over all creation. And the blessings and curses that flow from Christ’s victory boomerang: blessed are those who bless God’s children, and cursed are those who curse God’s children. Indeed, God (Father and Son) is our Blessing!
Prayer: Father God, thank you and your Son for extending your blessings of “relationship” to all your children and creation. Would you please help us pursue intimacy with you above worldly successes so we might glorify you and enjoy you forever? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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