That law was written because those people didn’t give the people of Israel food and water. And those people had paid Balaam to say a curse {\cf2\super [79]} against the people of Israel. But our God changed that curse and made it a blessing for us.
Moses commanded the Levite people to write down all the things that were used to make the Holy Tent, [438] that is, the Tent of the Agreement. [439] Ithamar son of Aaron, was in charge of keeping the list.
So the people of Israel did everything the Lord told Moses. Each group camped under its own flag. And each person stayed with his own family and family group.
Balaam looked out across the desert and saw all the people of Israel. They were camped with the family groups in their different areas. Then the Spirit of God came to Balaam.
You are like gardens
planted by the streams.
You are like gardens
growing by the rivers.
You are like sweet-smelling bushes
planted by the Lord.
You are like beautiful trees
growing by the water.
Israel, you are blessed.
No other nation is like you.
The Lord saved you.
The Lord is like a strong shield protecting you.
The Lord is like a powerful sword.
Your enemies will be afraid of you.
And you will trample their holy places!”
But I, the Lord, refused to listen to Balaam. So Balaam asked for good things to happen to you! He blessed you many times. I saved you and brought you out of trouble.