24 1 Balaam saw that it pleased our Father to bless Israel, so he did not seek omens as before, but turned toward the wilderness. 2 Balaam looked up and saw Israel camped tribe by tribe; then the Spirit of our Father came on him. 3 He lifted his oracle and said: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened," 4 the oracle of one who hears the words of our Father, who sees the vision of the Almighty, bowing down with eyes wide open: 5 How lovely are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! 6 Like valleys stretching far, like gardens beside a river, like aloes our Father has planted, like cedars beside the waters. 7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his descendants will have abundant water. His king will be higher than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. a a v7 Agag was the king of Amalek, Israel's long-standing enemy — Israel's king will surpass him. 8 Our Father brings Israel out of Egypt; Israel is like the horns of the wild ox to them. Israel will devour the nations who oppose them, break their bones, and pierce them with arrows. 9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness — who dares rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.
10 Balak's anger flared against Balaam, and he clapped his hands. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but you've blessed them three times now!" 11 Now flee home! I said I would richly honor you, but God has kept you from honor
12 Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 13 Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I couldn't go beyond my God's command to do good or bad on my own; I can only say what my God tells me. 14 And now I am going back to my people. Come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."
The Star Rising From Jacob
15 Then he lifted his oracle, saying: "Oracle of Balaam son of Beor, oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 16 the oracle of one who hears the words of our Father, who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, bowing down with eyes wide open: 17 I see him, but not now; I gaze on him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel; it will crush the brow of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. b b v17 Balaam, a foreign diviner, is made to prophesy of a coming King. This star and scepter point ultimately to Jesus, whom the New Testament calls "the bright morning star" and the ruler from Jacob's line. 18 Edom will be conquered, and Seir, his enemies, will be conquered, while Israel grows strong. 19 One from Jacob will rule, and will destroy the survivors of the city.
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek, took up his message, and said: "Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is utter destruction."
21 He looked at the Kenite, took up his oracle, and said: Your dwelling place is firm, your nest set in the rock. 22 Yet Kain will be consumed when Asshur takes you away captive."
23 He took up his oracle and said: "Who can live when God does this? 24 Ships will come from the coasts of Kittim; they will afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, but they too will come to utter destruction." c c v24 Kittim refers to the western Mediterranean coastlands — a future sea power coming against Assyria.
25 Then Balaam rose and went back to his home, and Balak also went on his way.
