Numbers 24

In verse 18, Balaam prophesies that Edom will be conquered, that is, Seir his (Israel’s) enemy.⁸⁶ Moses was told not to attack Seir (Deuteronomy 2:4–5), but later on King David did bring Seir (Edom) under his authority (2 Samuel 8:14). Thus verses 17 and 18 do indicate that the future ruler of Israel mentioned in verse 19 is indeed David.

But Balaam’s prophecy looks even further into the future; it looks forward to David’s descendant, Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), the final King of Israel, whom all nations will obey and whose reign will never end (Genesis 49:10; Luke 1:30–33). Balaam says that a star will come out of Jacob (verse 17); in Revelation 22:16, Jesus refers to Himself as the bright Morning Star.

Thus, as is the case with much Old Testament prophecy, Balaam’s oracle refers both to a nearer event (the reign of David) and also to a more distant event (the reign of Christ). And because the Holy Spirit Himself uttered this prophecy through Balaam’s lips, it is as true as any other Old Testament prophecy. It has already proven to be so.

Balaam’s Final Oracles (24:20–25)

20–25 Balaam ended with three short oracles, which could be described as “curse oracles,” the very kind that Balaam had intended to utter against Israel. He started with Amalek (verse 20), who was first among the nations to attack Israel (see Exodus 17:8–13). And, as we have noted, the Amalekites did eventually come to ruin at Israel’s hands.⁸⁷

Then Balaam saw (through the Spirit) the Kenites (verses 21–22), one of the Canaanite tribes whose land God had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:18–19). The Kenites would at first be secure, but later they would be taken captive by Asshur (Assyria). Assyria was to become a great empire in Israel’s later history; indeed, the northern tribes of Israel would themselves be taken captive by the Assyrians.

Balaam’s final oracle about Kittim and Eber (verse 24) is hard to interpret, since the identification of these places is not known with certainty. The idea is that the world’s nations will rise and then be subdued by other nations, but Israel will be the final victor.

The story of Balaam gives us one more demonstration of God’s continued blessing upon Israel. It is all the more startling then to read in the next chapter how Israel despised that blessing and began to worship one of the gods of Canaan.