Arcana Coelestia # 2898
2898. The fact that the people of that Church possessed prophetical sayings which in the internal sense had reference to the Lord and His kingdom becomes clear not only from the places quoted above but also from the prophetical words spoken by Balaam, who came from Syria. His words that are recorded in Moses, in Numbers 23:7-10, 18-25; 24:3-10, 15-25, were dictated in a style similar to all the other prophetical sayings in the Word, and plainly foretell the Coming of the Lord in the following words,
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a sceptre will rise up out of Israel, and crush the corners of Moab, and destroy all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17.
These prophetical words are likewise called Utterances, for the same term is used to describe those prophetical words in Numbers 23:7, 18; 24:3, 15, 20.
Numbers 23:18-25
18
He took up his parable, and said, "Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, you son of Zippor.
19
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?
20
Behold, I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I can't reverse it.
21
He has not seen iniquity in Jacob. Neither has he seen perverseness in Israel. Yahweh his God is with him. The shout of a king is among them.
22
God brings them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
23
Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What has God done!
24
Behold, the people rises up as a lioness, As a lion he lifts himself up. He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain."
25
Balak said to Balaam, "Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all."
