“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.”
Numbers 24:16 is part of a prophecy spoken by Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. However, instead of cursing them, Balaam was compelled by God to bless them.
This verse describes the divine inspiration and vision experienced by Balaam. It reveals several important aspects of his encounter with God:
- Hearing the words of God:Balaam states that he “heard the words of God.” This emphasises that he received a direct message from God, indicating his prophetic calling and the divine source of his message.
- Knowing the knowledge of the Most High:Balaam claims to possess knowledge that comes from God, the “Most High.” This highlights his understanding of God’s wisdom and the supernatural insights he received.
- Seeing the vision of the Almighty:Balaam declares that he saw a vision from God, granted to him by the Almighty. This vision likely pertained to the Israelites and their future blessings.
- Falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:This phrase suggests a state of altered consciousness where Balaam fell into a trance. Despite being in a visionary state, he could still perceive and understand what he saw with his eyes open. It portrays a unique encounter where Balaam was simultaneously aware of the physical world while experiencing divine revelation.
The broader context of this verse includes Balaam’s attempts to curse the Israelites but being compelled by God to bless them instead. Despite Balak’s persistence, Balaam repeatedly acknowledges that he can only speak the words that God puts in his mouth (Numbers 22-24).
Conclusion:This verse reminds us of the sovereignty and power of God to use unlikely messengers for His purposes. Balaam, though not an Israelite, was chosen to deliver blessings upon God’s people. It also serves as a reminder that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition, and His purposes will ultimately prevail.
