Numbers 24 · The Lantern

Balaam’s Third Oracle

And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of the LORD to bless Israel; and he did not go, as time after time before, to seek omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.

And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling by his tribes; and the spirit of God came on him.

And he lifted up his oracle and said: “The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eye is opened;

the declaration of one who hears the sayings of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty — fallen down, yet with eyes uncovered:

How good are your tents, O Jacob — your dwellings, O Israel!

Like valleys they stretch out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.

Water flows from his buckets, and his seed is in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be lifted up.

God brings him out of Egypt; he is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He shall devour the nations, his foes; he shall gnaw their bones, and shatter them with his arrows.

He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness — who will rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

And Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “To curse my enemies I called you — and look, you have blessed them altogether these three times.

And now, flee to your own place. I said I would surely honor you — but look, the LORD has held you back from honor.”

And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not speak even to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying:

‘If Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not cross the mouth of the LORD, to do good or evil from my own heart. What the LORD speaks — that I will speak’?

And now — look, I am going to my people. Come, let me counsel you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

And he lifted up his oracle and said: “The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor, the declaration of the man whose eye is opened;

For the ungodly man knows not the evil things he has done, except when he has already begun to be punished for those same evil deeds. Hence it is said by the Prophet; And the vexation alone shall give understanding to the hearing. For he then 'understands' what he has heard, when he now grieves that he is 'vexed' for the neglect of it.

One day we had before us the book of Numbers written by Moses, and [Fabiola] modestly questioned me as to the meaning of the great mass of names there to be found.

The unholy man does not know the evil he does unless he begins to be punished for the same evils. For Balaam offered counsel against the Israelites and afterwards saw in his punishment what sin he had previously committed. But the elect, who should not sin, are watchful. Their eyes are open before they fall.

the declaration of one who hears the sayings of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty — fallen down, yet with eyes uncovered:

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall march forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel; and he shall shatter the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.

After these things he says: "seeing the vision of God in sleep, his eyes uncovered." Of these things it has been sufficiently discoursed in the third vision, and it is idle to repeat the same things.

Listen to the Evangelist's words about Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews: "He did not give this as a personal opinion, but in his capacity of high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was destined to die, not for the person alone but to bring together into one also the nations that had been scattered." You will find something like it occurring again in the story of Bal…

A star shall arise out of Jacob, there shall be raised up a man out of Israel—and he shall smite the princes of Moab—and destroy all the sons of Seth. By the sons of Sêth he means the whole world. And this is not applicable to anyone except the Lord Christ, for Sêth is by interpretation a foundation.

And Edom shall become a possession, and Seir, his enemies, shall become a possession — while Israel does valiantly.

And one from Jacob shall rule, and shall destroy the survivor from the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

And he saw Amalek, and lifted up his oracle and said: “First of the nations was Amalek — but his end is destruction forever.”

And he saw the Kenite, and lifted up his oracle and said: “Enduring is your dwelling, and your nest is set in the rock;

But the prophecy makes mention of the Kenite after Amalek, saying: "And seeing the Kenite, taking up his parable, he said: Strong is your dwelling, and if you set your nest in the rock, and if Beor be to you a nest of cunning, the Assyrians shall lead you captive." It seems to me that he names the Kenite not very blameworthily; for he is the one to whom in the earlier passages…

Hence is that which is said to the Cinite, by Balaam when prophesying, Strong indeed is thy dwelling place, but if thou hast placed thy nest in the rock. For Cinite is interpreted 'possessor.' And who are they who possess present things, except those who are skilled in the ability of worldly wisdom?

Kenite means "possession." And who are those who possess present things but the ones who are skilled in the study of secular wisdom? They are those who, by their study, truly build themselves a sturdy dwelling, if they make themselves into little children with humility and are nourished by Christ's grandeur.

yet Kain shall be for burning — how long until Asshur carries you captive?”

And he lifted up his oracle and said: “Alas — who shall live when God appoints this?

Ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, and shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber — and he too is for destruction forever.”