God’s Word for 2005

Numbers 24 (New International Version)

1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert. 2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him 3 and he uttered his oracle:

"The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,
4 the oracle of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

5 "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob,
your dwelling places, O Israel! ( My Identity)

6 "Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the LORD ,
like cedars beside the waters.
7 Water will flow from their buckets;
their seed will have abundant water. ( Fluorishing and Growth)

"Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted. (Leadership)

8 "God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
and break their bones in pieces;
with their arrows they pierce them. (Strength and Zeal for the House of God)
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
like a lioness-who dares to rouse them?

"May those who bless you be blessed
and those who curse you be cursed!" (Blessed)