Poetry and Prophets: Singing Praises to the Lord

Day 31: Numbers 21 to 25

Poetry, done well, can move the soul. Read aloud the following words by Balam, a prophet who uttered oracles about Israel:

How beautiful are your tents,
          O Jacob,
     your dwelling places, O Israel!

Like valleys they spread out,
     like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord,
     like cedars beside the waters.
Water will flow from their buckets;
     their seed will have abundant water.

Their king will be greater than Agag;
     their kingdom will be exalted.

God brought them out of Egypt;
     they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
     and break their bones in pieces;
     with their arrows they pierce them.
Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
     like a lioness--who dares to rouse
          them?

May those who bless you be blessed
     and those who curse you be
          cursed!

Hear the word of the Lord.

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About Kara

I am Kara Poe Alexander. I began this blog to read the Bible anew, with fresh eyes and an open mind. I hope to grow closer to God, to learn how these ancient stories are still relevant today, and to develop a spiritual discipline of Bible study.