5
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!
Key Message
A community living under God's order is beautiful enough to make even outsiders marvel. The life of God's people itself becomes a witness to the world.
▸Balaam's third oracle begins with an exclamation of wonder at the beauty of the Israelite camp.
Balaam's third oracle begins with an exclamation of wonder at the beauty of the Israelite camp. This is the third oracle from a prophet who came to curse but now proclaims blessing. This verse has been used as a traditional opening prayer in Jewish worship. It is the view of an outsider, a foreigner, looking at how beautiful the community of God's people is.