Numbers 24:7-17

7 Israel's water buckets will always be full, and their crops will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be very great.
8 God brought them out of Egypt; they are as strong as a wild ox. They will defeat their enemies and break their enemies' bones; they will shoot them with arrows.
9 Like a lion, they lie waiting to attack; like a lioness, no one would be brave enough to wake them. Anyone who blesses you will be blessed, and anyone who curses you will be cursed."
10 Then Balak was angry with Balaam, and he pound-ed his fist. He said to Balaam, "I called you here to curse my enemies, but you have continued to bless them three times.
11 Now go home! I said I would pay you well, but the Lord has made you lose your reward."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "When you sent messengers to me, I told them,
13 'Balak could give me his palace filled with silver and gold, but I still cannot go against the Lord's commands. I could not do anything, good or bad, on my own, but I must say what the Lord says.'
14 Now I am going back to my own people, but I will tell you what these people will do to your people in the future."
15 Then Balaam gave this message: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of a man who sees clearly;
16 this is the message of a man who hears the words of God. I know well the Most High God. I see a vision from the Almighty, and my eyes are open as I fall before him.
17 I see someone who will come some day, someone who will come, but not soon. A star will come from Jacob; a ruler will rise from Israel. and smash the skulls of the sons of Sheth.

Numbers 24:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 24

In this chapter we are told, that Balaam leaving his enchantments, the Spirit of God came on him, and he spake of the happiness of Israel, and prophesied of their future greatness and glory, Nu 24:1-9 which so exasperated Balak, that he ordered him at once to depart from him, Nu 24:10,11. Balaam justified himself in what he said and did, and suggested that before they parted, he had something to say in a prophetic manner, concerning what Israel should do to Moab in "future" times, Nu 24:12-14 and then prophesies concerning the Messiah, and the destruction of Moab, and of some neighbouring nations, and even of some at a greater distance, as the Assyrians and Romans, Nu 24:15-25.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.