Balak is angry (v10-11). Despite being told repeatedly, he fails to see that under God’s control, Balaam can do nothing but what God commands, which is to bless His people (v12-13). Today the world gets angry at the church, because it expects the church to conform and share what the world wants. But the church has no choice, we can only say and do what God commands. God’s word is our authority and message and that Word does not change.

Balaam shares one final oracle about Israel (v15-19). The authority of Balaam’s message depends on who it comes from (v15-16). Balaam speaks of a ruler who will come from Israel who will destroy their enemies (v17-19). This ruler could be Saul or David, but ultimately it would be Jesus (see Colossians 2 v15; Philippians 2 v9-11).

By contrast to the fruitfulness of God’s people, Balaam ends by speaking of the  destruction  of  the  nations  around  them  (v20-24).  In  Christ  there  is security, outside of Christ ultimately there is only destruction. Make sure you are in Christ, make sure you are secure!