Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Numbers 24: 23-25


Balaam concludes his terse curse verses.

Unfortunately, no one can survive God's wrath when He heads down a path like this.
Ships will come from Cyprus
They'll conquer Asher and Eber
But don't celebrate much- they too will come to ruin.

At this point Balaam skipped town- and Balaak made no attempt to pursue him.

It took him a long time, but Balaak seemed to finally get that this whole scheme wasn't going to work out.  And while it's easy to view him as a stubborn, devious plotter it's also easy to cling to your own devices of manipulation, deception and self-delusion.  But at least in this instance, the attempt to hang on- the attempt to try to use God against His own people only resulted in more and more heartache.

Not Even Barbie Will be Spared
Numbers 24: 21-22


At this point, Balaam is rolling.  He looks over and sees the Kenites and curses them too.

He says,

Yeah, you've got a secure dwelling.
It's like a nest made of stone.
But that's not gonna stop Ashur.
You'll be taken captive and destroyed.

It seems like Balaak has taken a big stick and beat a horne'ts nest trying to get honey.  The result is a whole lot of stinging.  Perhaps the message here is simply God's power.  So much capacity for love and grace- but so much power to destroy when people try to manipulate Him.

This is a scary image to picture as God- until you frame it in its context.  God is saying- don't mess with Me, and don't mess with My children.  As one of God's children, it is comforting to realize just how much God has my back.

Curses, Foiled Again
Numbers 24:20


So since, he was rolling, Balaam spots Amalek (I'm guessing the nation of, not some guy named Amalek) and keeps the curses flowing.  Amalek seems to be the arch-nemesis of Israel- Esau's grandson was named Amalek, so I guess these are his people but they often get a little feisty around the chosen folks.

Balaam predicts that though they were the first nation, they will end in total destruction.

This seems to be a little more of the same from the last section.  God says, you can't buy My love.  I will not be manipulated.  And here's a little curse for your trouble.

Balak's Bad Investment


Numbers 24: 15-19


Balaam gives his warning- but the word "warning" implies the opportunity to escape- so perhaps it's more accurate to call Balaam's oration a curse.  He says:

Here's my prophecy.
I see clearly.
I hear God's word.
I have knowledge from God,
He speaks to me in visions.
In those visions, I submit and God opens my eyes.

So, I see this guy, but He's not here right now.
I sense Him, but it's not like he's nearby.
He'll be like this star rising out of Jacob
or a sceptor out of Israel.
And when He comes- look out!
He'll crush Moab's head and Sheth's skulls.
Edom?  Seir?
Conquered.  Conquered.
In contrast- watch Israel grow.
This ruler will come through Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.

Balak might be up for the schmuck of the year award.  He goes out and hires Balaam thinking he's got an inside source to combat God's people from the inside.  Not only does his plan not work- he ends up making things even worse for his people.

Not only will I not curse Israel, since you asked, I'll bless them and curse you.  Oops.

It seems to me the message here is that God is a not a puppet to be manipulated by His people.  His spokespeople can't manipulate reality and say whatever benefits their particular cause or pet project.  Balaam couldn't find a loophole to squeeze through and frame God's will differently for his own purposes.

And neither can we.  Explaining God's will away through political propaganda, American ideology, or even with rhetoric designed to excuse and comfort ourselves doesn't change God's will.  And clearly, He doesn't like the attempt to proclaim his will inaccurately for selfish gain.

As for the prophecy itself, it seems to point to Jesus, although it seems a little violent for Jesus' style. It's easy to see why the people of Jesus' day were expecting a different kind of Messiah- one who was a little more Dirty Harry than Prince of Peace.