Numbers 22-24

The people migrate up to by Jericho and a local king (Balak) freaks out. Apparently, there is a prophet of God who is not affiliated with the Israelites (Balaam). Balak sends for him to pay money for a curse on the Israelites. God tells Balaam not to go. Balak sends for Balaam a second time, this time God says go but only say what I tell you.

Balaam instead heads off his donkey to run away. The donkey sees an angel in the road and tries to avoid it. Balaam beats his donkey. The donkey starts talking and asks why are you beating me? Instead of being stunned by a talking donkey, Balaam tries to explain himself. He then sees the angel who tells him to go to Balak.

Whoa.

Balak and Balaam overlook the Israelite camp. Balaam only says what God prompts him. Instead of cursing Israel, Balaam ends up giving 3 blessings for Israel and ends up cursing the local cities. He offers a few distant prophecies as well about the Assyrians and a scepter coming from Jacob. Before we think, "hey that's Jesus", I don think so, because the the scepter is predicted to be a military leader who defeats the local. If anything, I think that pertains to the kingdom and king line of Israel, for after, the Israelites don't even have permanent land yet.