NOTES for Num 24:1-25

God’s will finally becomes clear to Balaam the diviner: he abandons his divinations and goes into the wilderness to bless Israel. His prophecy speaks of Israel’s unearthly beauty, its many victories over its enemies, and the star rising out of Jacob. Two thousand years later, other wise men will see this star—not through divination but plainly—and will cross the wilderness and rejoice when they see the true beauty of Israel, bringing him gifts on behalf of all nations. And another two millennia later, we will read this prophecy and bow before this Beauty. History repeats itself, but its Center is always the same.