Numbers 24
Lutheran reading notes
In Numbers chapter 24, the story continues to develop the theme of Israel’s wilderness journey and preparation for the promised land. Lutheran interpretation often highlights how the events reveal humanity’s need for God’s grace and the reliability of God's promises. The chapter illustrates both the reality of human weakness and the faithfulness of God who works through history.
1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. {to seek...: Heb. to the meeting of}
Numbers 24:1 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding {in his tents} according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
Numbers 24:2 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: {whose...: Heb. who had his eyes shut, but now opened}
Numbers 24:3 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling {into a trance}, but having his eyes open:
Numbers 24:4 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, {and} thy tabernacles, O Israel!
Numbers 24:5 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, {and} as cedar trees beside the waters.
Numbers 24:6 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed {shall be} in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
Numbers 24:7 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce {them} through with his arrows.
Numbers 24:8 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed {is} he that blesseth thee, and cursed {is} he that curseth thee.
Numbers 24:9 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed {them} these three times.
Numbers 24:10 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.
Numbers 24:11 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
Numbers 24:12 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do {either} good or bad of mine own mind; {but} what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
Numbers 24:13 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come {therefore, and} I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
Numbers 24:14 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
Numbers 24:15 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, {which} saw the vision of the Almighty, falling {into a trance}, but having his eyes open:
Numbers 24:16 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. {smite...: or, smite through the princes of}
Numbers 24:17 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
Numbers 24:18 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
Numbers 24:19 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek {was} the first of the nations; but his latter end {shall be} that he perish for ever. {the nations: the nations that warred against Israel} {that...: or, even to destruction}
Numbers 24:20 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
Numbers 24:21 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. {the Kenite: Heb. Kain} {until...: or, how long shall it be ere Asshur carry thee away captive}
Numbers 24:22 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!
Numbers 24:23 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
And ships {shall come} from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.
Numbers 24:24 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Numbers 24:25 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.