Balaam blesses Israel
Numbers 22–24; 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15–16; Revelation 2:14
King Balak of Moab hired the diviner Balaam to curse Israel, but God turned every curse into a blessing, including a prophecy of a coming star and scepter.
I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17 (World English Bible)
On the way, Balaam's donkey saw the angel of Yahweh blocking the road and refused to go on, and then God let the donkey speak. From three mountaintops Balaam tried to curse Israel and could only bless them. His fourth oracle looked far ahead to a ruler from Jacob.
Balaam still found a way to harm Israel: he advised Moab to lure Israel into idolatry (Numbers 31:16), which led to the disaster at Baal Peor.
Places
JordanMoabJerichoMidianEastArnonMoabAramPeorPisgahJeshimonBamoth-baalPethorAmawIr-moabKiriath-huzothRiverZophim
Dating notes
While Israel camped on the plains of Moab (Ussher, 1452 BC). Many Christians see Balaam's star as a prophecy fulfilled in Christ; some link it to the star the Magi followed (Matthew 2:2).