When Balaam realized that the Lord was pleased to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as he had before. Instead, he turned his face toward the desert and looked upon the Israelites encamped tribe by tribe. As he gazed upon them, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he began to speak a divine message.
He said, "This is the word of Balaam son of Beor, the man whose eyes are opened, who hears the words of God and sees the visions of the Almighty—falling down, yet having his eyes unveiled. How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! They spread out like valleys, like gardens by a river, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets, and their seed will have abundant supply. Their king will be greater than Agag, and their kingdom will be lifted high. God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour their enemies and crush their bones, piercing them with arrows. They crouch like a lion and a lioness—who dares to rouse them? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you."
Balak's anger flared at these words. He struck his hands together and shouted, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them three times! Now go home! I would have rewarded you richly, but the Lord has kept you from honor."
Balaam replied, "Did I not tell your messengers that even if you gave me your palace filled with silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord? I must say only what He tells me. But before I leave, I will tell you what this people will do to your people in the days to come."
Then Balaam delivered another prophecy: "This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the one whose eyes are opened, who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will rise from Jacob, and a scepter will come forth from Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab and destroy all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered, and Seir will fall, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."
Then Balaam looked toward Amalek and said, "Amalek was first among the nations, but his end will be destruction."
He looked upon the Kenites and said, "Your dwelling is secure, set upon a rock. Yet you will be taken captive when Asshur invades."
Finally, he declared, "Alas! Who can survive when God brings all this to pass? Ships will come from the coasts of Kittim; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish in the end."
When Balaam had spoken all these things, he rose, returned to his home, and Balak went his own way, defeated and fearful of the God who blesses Israel.