1 But Balaam saw that Yahweh willingly blessed Israel. He did not seek out signs as he had done before, but turned towards the desert.
2 He looked up and saw Israel camping, tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him
3 and he uttered his song: "Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer, the one who hears the words of God,
4 and beholds the vision of the Almighty, in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.
5 How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your encampments, Israel!
6 Like valleys stretching far, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters.
7 His buckets are overflowing and his seeds are always watered. His king becomes stronger than Agag, and his kingdom grows.
8 His God brought him out of Egypt and fights for him like the horns of a wild ox. He devours the carcasses of his enemies and crushes their bones in pieces.
9 He lies like a lion, or like a lioness; who dares rouse him? Blessed is he who blesses you! And cursed is he who curses you!"
10 Balak's anger burned against Balaam; he beat his hands together and said, "I called you to curse my enemy and you have blessed him three times!
11 So flee to your place now. I said I would greatly reward you but Yahweh has taken away your reward."
12 Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers:
13 though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, good or bad, of my own accord beyond Yahweh's command? What Yahweh speaks, I speak.
14 Now, before I return to my people, come that I may warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."
15 Then Balaam pronounced his oracle: "Word of Balaam, son of Beor, the seer,
16 the one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, and sees the vision of the Almighty, in ecstasy, with eyes unveiled.
17 I see a figure, but not really. I behold him but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, he rises with a staff in his hand; he shatters the forehead of Moab and tears down all the sons of Sheth.
18 He conquers the land of Edom, and takes the cities of his enemies. Israel grows strong;
19 Jacob dominates."
20 Then Balaam looked to Amalek's country; he said, "Amalek, the first of the nations, will finally meet with destruction."
21 Then he looked to the Kainite's land and continued his oracle: Your dwelling place is enduring, your nest is set in the rock,
22 but you shall be destroyed; and finally Asshur shall take you captive."
23 Balaam continued his oracle and said: "Alas! Who will live when God does this?
24 Ships shall come from Kittim and shall conquer Asshur, but also Eber; they too shall be destroyed."
25 Then Balaam rose and set out on his journey home while Balak also went on his way.
Versículos relacionados com Numbers, 24:
In Chapter 24 of the Book of Numbers, we see the conclusion of the story of Balaam, a pagan prophet who was hired by King Balaque to curse the people of Israel. However, instead, Balaam was inspired by the Spirit of God and ended up blessing the people of Israel three times. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in numbers 24:
Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; all the families of the earth will be blessed." This verse is quoted by Balaam in his third blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 24:9) and shows how God had promised to bless those who bless the people of Israel and curse those who cursed them.
Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man to lie, nor the son of man to repent. He speaks and stops acting? This verse, quoted by Balaam in his second blessing to the people of Israel (Numbers 23:19-20), highlights God's faithfulness and veracity to fulfill his promises, including his promises to the people of Israel.
Numbers 24:17-"I will see him, but not now; I will contemplate him, but not closely. A star will leave Jacob; a scepter will rise from Israel." This verse is part of Balaam's third blessing to the people of Israel and is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, which would be fulfilled at the birth of Jesus Christ, descendant of Jacob and King of Israel.
Deuteronomy 23:4-5 - "Do not seek peace or their prosperity while they live. They do not stop their progress or give them help." These verses are a reference to the curse that Balaam tried to cast upon the people of Israel, who eventually became blessing (Numbers 24:10-11). Here God commands the Israelites to do no covenants or friendships with the Ammonites and the Moabites, for they had refused to help the Israelites on their journey through the desert.
Revelation 2:14 - "However, some things I have against you: there are those who follow the doctrine of Balaam, which taught Balaque to arm itts against the Israelites, inducing them to eat idol foods and to commit sexual immorality. " This verse, part of Jesus' message to the Church of Pergamum, refers to the story of Balaam and warns Christians about the danger of following teachings that resemble those of Balaam, who tried to curse God's people.
Fejezetek: