As Balaam looked upon the encampment of Israel he beheld with astonishment the evidence of their prosperity. They had been represented to him as a rude, disorganized multitude, infesting the country in roving bands that were a pest and terror to the surrounding nations; but their appearance was the reverse of all this. He saw the vast extent and perfect arrangement of their camp, everything bearing the marks of thorough discipline and order. He was shown the favor with which God regarded Israel, and their distinctive character as His chosen people. They were not to stand upon a level with other nations, but to be exalted above them all. "The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." At the time when these words were spoken the Israelites had no permanent settlement, and their peculiar character, their manners and customs, were not familiar to Balaam. But how strikingly was this prophecy fulfilled in the afterhistory of Israel! Through all the years of their captivity, through all the ages since they were dispersed among the nations, they have remained a distinct people. So the people of God--the true Israel--though scattered throughout all nations, are on earth but sojourners, whose citizenship is in heaven.

Da Bileam kastede sit blik ud over Israels lejr, blev han overrasket over dens størrelse. Der var blevet fortalt ham, at israelitterne var en barbarisk, uorganiseret hob, som i bander overfaldt og udplyndrede landet og var en plage for de omkringboende folkeslag. Men da han så dem, fik han det stik modsatte indtryk. Der var fuldstændig orden i den store lejr, og alt bar præg af gennemført disciplin. Han så, at Israel nød Guds yndest, og at de var hans udvalgte folk. De skulle ikke stå på samme stade som andre nationer, men være hævet over dem. "Et folk, der bor for sig selv og ikke regner sig til hedningefolkene." Da disse ord blev udtalt, havde israelitterne ikke fast opholdssted, og Bileam kendte ikke deres særegnede karakter eller deres sæder og skikke. Men hvor fik denne profeti en slående opfyldelse i Israels historie! Gennem hele deres fangenskab og i alle århundrederne efter deres adspredelse mellem verdens nationer er de vedblevet at være et særskilt folk. På samme måde er Guds folk det sande Israel som findes spredt mellem alle folkeslag, blot fremmede på jorden, og Himmelen er deres fædreland.