Numbers 24

When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;

he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your dwellings, Israel!

As valleys they are spread out, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which the LORD has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.

Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.

God brings him out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox. He shall consume the nations his adversaries, shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them with his arrows.

He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.”

Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

Therefore, flee to your place, now! I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, the LORD has kept you back from honor.”

Balaam said to Balak, “Didn’t I also tell your messengers whom you sent to me, saying,

‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the LORD’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what the LORD says’?

Now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will inform you what this people shall do to your people in the latter days.”

He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;

he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.

Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.

Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”

He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall come to destruction.”

He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, “Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.

Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, until Asshur carries you away captive.”

He took up his parable, and said, “Alas, who shall live when God does this?

But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction.”

Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his way.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter records Balaam’s final oracles under the inspiration of God, shifting from intended curses to profound blessings upon Israel. After realizing that the Lord will not permit him to curse His people, Balaam delivers a series of prophetic pronouncements praising Israel’s beauty, strength, and divine destiny, culminating in messianic predictions of a coming King who will triumph over God’s enemies. Positioned near the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, this chapter underscores God’s faithfulness to His promises despite Israel’s past unfaithfulness.

Flow.

Balaam abandons his normal practices of divination, recognizing that God is determined to bless Israel (v. 1–2).
Under the Spirit’s power, he pronounces a lyrical blessing on Israel’s camp and divine favor, emphasizing their prosperity and invincibility (v. 3–9).
Angry, Balak dismisses Balaam, who responds with a final series of prophecies about Israel’s future triumphs and the rise of a messianic King (v. 10–19).
Balaam extends his prophecy to the fates of neighboring nations, concluding with a vision of divine judgment extending beyond Israel’s borders (v. 20–24).

Connections. Following chapter 23, in which Balaam delivers repeated blessings instead of curses, this chapter completes the arc of divine overruling of human intention, confirming that God’s blessing cannot be manipulated or revoked. The escalating clarity of the messianic hope—especially the “star out of Jacob” and “scepter” ruler—prepares the reader for the crises of unfaithfulness in chapter 25, where Israel’s moral failure stands in stark contrast to the dignity of their divinely ordained destiny. The juxtaposition of blessing and coming judgment sets the stage for the renewal of the covenant under Joshua, which chapter 25 and 26 will begin to frame through crisis and purification.

What it teaches. The chapter affirms that God sovereignly directs prophecy and cannot be swayed by human schemes to alter His purposes for His people (WCF 3.8, 10.1). Balaam, though morally compromised, becomes an unwilling instrument of divine revelation, showing that God can use even flawed messengers to uphold His truth (HC LD 12). The imagery of Israel’s blessed dwelling (v. 5–6) reflects God’s gracious presence among His people, ordered and fruitful by His design (WCF 7.4). Most significantly, the prophecy of a coming star and scepter points to the messianic King—a hope later confessed as the eternal reign of Christ, who rules with divine authority and crushes all opposition (LD 18; WCF 8.5–6).

Apply. The God who blesses His people despite their unworthiness remains faithful to His promises, shaping history through His appointed King.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.