3.4 KiB
Chapter 24
- By now Balaam realized that the LORD was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness,
- where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him,
- and this is the message he delivered: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,
- the message of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who bows down with eyes wide open:
- How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob;
how lovely are your homes, O Israel!
- They spread before me like palm groves,
like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the LORD,
like cedars beside the waters.
- Water will flow from their buckets;
their offspring have all they need.
Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.
- God brought them out of Egypt;
for them he is as strong as a wild ox.
He devours all the nations that oppose him,
breaking their bones in pieces,
shooting them with arrows.
- Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down;
like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel,
and cursed is everyone who curses you."
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King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times.
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Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the LORD has kept you from your reward."
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Balaam told Balak, "Don't you remember what I told your messengers? I said,
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'Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD.' I told you that I could say only what the LORD says!
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Now I am returning to my own people. But first let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future." Balaam's Final Messages
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This is the message Balaam delivered: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor,
the message of the man whose eyes see clearly,
- the message of one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who bows down with eyes wide open:
- I see him, but not here and now.
I perceive him, but far in the distant future.
A star will rise from Jacob;
a scepter will emerge from Israel.
It will crush the heads of Moab's people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth.
- Edom will be taken over,
and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered,
while Israel marches on in triumph.
- A ruler will rise in Jacob
who will destroy the survivors of Ir."
- Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: "Amalek was the greatest of nations,
but its destiny is destruction!"
- Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: "Your home is secure;
your nest is set in the rocks.
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But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive."
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Balaam concluded his messages by saying: "Alas, who can survive
unless God has willed it?
- Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;
they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber,
but they, too, will be utterly destroyed."
- Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.