The third prophesy, Numbers 24:
Then Balak told Balaam, “Don’t curse them or bless them!”
And Balaam replies, “Didn’t I tell you that I’ll say whatever the Lord tells me to say?”
When Balaam noticed that the LORD was pleased that Balaam was blessing Israel, he didn’t behave as he had time after time before, that is, to practice divination (fortune telling, sorcery, evil). Instead, he turned with his face to the wilderness, looked up, and saw Israel encamped in their respective tribal order.
Standing high on that mountain, Balaam was filled with pride, selfishness, desiring, and egotism. All puffed up, he convinced himself he didn’t need to perform his normal repertoire of incantations. Strangely, Balaam refused to understand that throughout these prophesies he was completely under the Lord’s control. The Lord blessed Israel, not Balaam. This is powerful evidence to the myriad ways in which the Lord uses evil for good. God needed these prophesies foretold and He used Balaam to do it. We’ll soon see why.
Also take note that while standing on that high mountain, Balaam turned away from the Israelite encampment and UP into the sky—not down onto a small portion of the tribe, as he had twice previously. Upon looking up the Lord gave Balaam a vision of the entire encampment of Israel—all the tribes in their proper order. (For those who aren’t aware, during their wilderness journey toward the promised land, when the Israelites camped, looking at the tribal positions from a birds-eye view revealed a perfectly formed cross.)
Let’s continue with Numbers 24:2:
Just then, the spirit of God came upon him. Balaam uttered this prophetic statement: “A declaration by Beor’s son Balaam, a declaration by the man whose eye is opened. A declaration from one who hears what God has to say, who saw the vision that the Almighty revealed, who keeps stumbling with open eyes. Jacob, your tents are so fine, as well as your dwelling places, O Israel! They’re spread out like valleys, like gardens along river banks, like aloe planted by the LORD, or like cedars beside water. He will pour water from His buckets, and His descendants will stream forth like abundant water. His King will be more exalted than Agag when He exalts His own Kingdom. God is bringing them out of Egypt with the strength of an ox. He will devour the enemy nations who are His adversaries, break their bones, and impale them with arrows. He crouches, laying low like a lion. Who would awaken Him? And cursed is everyone who curses you.”
Once again the Lord takes hold of Balaam’s mouth and within the prophesy God shows Balaam that He knows Balaam’s true heart—that even though his eyes are open, Balaam continues to stumble over his lifelong desire for riches. And Balaam will do anything to get it.
Jacob and Israel are interchangeable, so God describes His beloved people to future generations as rich valleys flowing with rivers where gardens are planted with healing plants and strong cedar trees—which are very special to God. Cedars were used to build Solomon’s temple—an incredible story worth researching. God continues to describe how He grows His nation, watering it until the Israelites are greater and more exalted than Agag—a mighty king during Balaam’s time.
Again, Balaam references how God rescued Israel from Egypt with such power and might, as that of a wild bull. The Lord repeats how He will return to earth during His second coming—as the mighty Lion of Judah—the warrior Messiah. The Lord promises to avenge His people. He will destroy His enemies by breaking their bones and impaling them with scriptural Word of God arrows. But for now, the Lord crouches, awaiting the moment God the Father unleashes Him upon His enemies. But He warns yet again, cursed are those who curse Israel.
The prophesy partially revealed in current events: Between 2009-2017, the American presidency abandoned Israel. Looking back, one clearly sees the vast degradation that occurred in America under that administration.
Between 2017-2021 America restored their relationship with Israel, but the major damage caused by the previous administration could not be reversed. Between 2021 and now, America has taken a nosedive into evil, indicating Numbers 24:9 is being fulfilled. Those who curse Israel will be cursed.
We will continue to witness the Balaam prophesies, because God won’t allow the world to defeat His specifically chosen Israelites. And while it will become increasingly more difficult for Israel to remain in their promised land, God will protect those whom He will choose out of that nation. This group of 144,000 men will play an incredibly important role during the tribulation and great tribulation.
The end of Numbers 24 reveals God’s final Balaam prophesies and his betrayal of Israel.
Stay tuned for Part 6…