Numbers 23:16

The Message

God met with Balaam and gave him a message. He said, “Return to Balak and give him the message.”

Cross References

Numbers 22:20

God came to Balaam that night and said, “Since these men have come all this way to see you, go ahead and go with them. But make sure you do absolutely nothing other than what I tell you.”

Numbers 22:35

But God’s angel said to Balaam, “Go ahead and go with them. But only say what I tell you to say—absolutely no other word.” And so Balaam continued to go with Balak’s nobles.

Numbers 23:15

Balaam said to Balak, “Take up your station here beside your Whole-Burnt-Offering while I meet with him over there.”

Numbers 23:17

Balaam returned and found him stationed beside his Whole-Burnt-Offering and the nobles of Moab with him. Balak said to him, “What did God say?” Then Balaam spoke his message-oracle: On your feet, Balak. Listen, listen carefully son of Zippor: God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through? I was brought here to bless; and now he’s blessed—how can I change that? He has no bone to pick with Jacob, he sees nothing wrong with Israel. God is with them, and they’re with him, shouting praises to their King. God brought them out of Egypt, rampaging like a wild ox. No magic spells can bind Jacob, no incantations can hold back Israel. People will look at Jacob and Israel and say, “What a great thing has God done!” Look, a people rising to its feet, stretching like a lion, a king-of-the-beasts, aroused, Unsleeping, unresting until its hunt is over and it’s eaten and drunk its fill.

Numbers 23:5

Then God gave Balaam a message: “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

Numbers 24:1

By now Balaam realized that God wanted to bless Israel. So he didn’t work in any sorcery as he had done earlier. He turned and looked out over the wilderness. As Balaam looked, he saw Israel camped tribe by tribe. The Spirit of God came on him, and he spoke his oracle-message: