Oracles

Divine utterances or messages spoken through human lips. Especially noteworthy are the oracles of Balaam. Several other prophecies are also referred to as oracles.

The oracles of Balaam

Divine inspiration is irresistible

Numbers 22:38 See also Numbers 22:18–19, Numbers 23:11–12, Numbers 23:25–26, Numbers 24:12–13

“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”

Balaam's experience

Numbers 24:2–4 See also Numbers 23:3–5, Numbers 24:15–16

When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

Balaam's oracles

Numbers 23:6–10 See also Numbers 23:18–24, Numbers 24:2–9, Numbers 24:15–19, Numbers 24:20–24

So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab. And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”

Oracles of the prophets

Malachi 1:1 See also Isaiah 13:1, Isaiah 14:28, Isaiah 21:1–17, Isaiah 30:6–11; Ezekiel 12:7–11 This oracle involved actions as well as words; Nahum 1:1

This is the burden of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi:

False oracles condemned

Lamentations 2:14 See also Jeremiah 23:33–40

The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.

Wise judgment likened to oracles

Proverbs 16:10

A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

Oracles of David

Psalm 36:1 See also 2 Samuel 23:1–4

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.