Numbers 24:15

Numbers 24:15 says, And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:  Balaam said what he was about to prophesy was what God had shown him.  His eyes were not opened physically but spiritually.  We may have our eyes upon physically and still be blind spiritually.  Verse sixteen adds, He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:  Balaam said he heard God’s voice and saw a vision while he was in a trance but still awake, or had his eyes physically open.  The Bible tells us that in the days before Jesus Christ came to die for our sins that He spoke to people in many ways, but now He speaks to us by our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seventeen continues, I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.   Matthew Henry says this first referred to David,who did physically destroy Moab, but ultimately referred to Jesus Christ, Who destroys all sinful people.  I guess more accurately we should say Jesus allows them to destroy themselves spiritually by rejecting salvation that He has already provided fot them.  Balaam said he would see Him, which was definitely a reference to Jesus Christ, but not now and he would behold Him, but only from afar.  One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but for too many it will be from far away.  Verse eighteen states, And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.  Balaam said that Israel would also defeat Edom valiantly.  Jesus Christ has defeated all the enemies of God, not by war, but still valiantly on the cross.  Verse nineteen continues, Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.  The destruction of Edom was certain, both physically and spiritually for those who refused to obey God.  Being destroyed physically is not important as long as we are not destroyed spiritually by rejecting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty says, And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.  Balaam then said that the Amalekites, as strong as they were, would one day be utterly destroyed.  No matter how strong a nation may be, those that stand against God will ultimately be utterly destroyed, when Jesus Christ returns in victory if not before.  Verse twenty-one adds, And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.  Verse twenty-two continues, Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.  The Kenites had a strong natural defense where they were located, but it would not keep them from being destroyed.  No matter how strong and well fortified people may be today in their opposition to God, one day they will be utterly destroyed.  Verse twenty-three states, And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!  Balaam asked who should live when God destroyed all these nations.  We know the answer is those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, either as the Messiah Who was to come or the Messiah Who has come.  Verse twenty-four adds, And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.  Balaam concluded by speaking about the coming destruction of Asshur and Eber, which were also to perish forever.  All those who stand against God will one day be sent away into everlasting punishment.  Verse twenty-five continues, And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.  Balaam went back to his home, and so did Balak.  They had gotten together to curse Israel but went away with Balaam having blessed them instead.  Those who would curse God today will one day bless Him instead, but it will be too late for them to avoid being sent away to everlasting destruction.