Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
The verse belongs to the blessing forced upon Balaam after Balak, king of Moab, hired him to curse Israel for their destruction and led him from one place to another in the vain hope of turning the blessing into a curse. Balaam was a corrupt and hypocritical seeker of gain whose heart wanted to curse God's people for reward. God controlled Balaam and put a prophecy in his mouth in Israel's favor, so that instead of cursing he was compelled to proclaim in lofty inspiration the richest and most sublime blessings, declaring Israel God's chosen people. The blessing could not be changed or reversed, because God had commanded it and will never break His word or change His purpose concerning Israel. The great lion and young lion portray Israel rising with strength and ferocity.
Not lying down until eating the prey and drinking the blood of the slain means Israel stays aroused and presses on until the overthrow of its enemies is complete. That triumph is certain because Israel is kept under almighty protection, with God's almighty power her protection, so no enchantment or diviner's curse can have any influence upon them. The verse thus pictures a people sustained by divine power whom neither human applause nor fear of man can move from steadfastness. The blessing displayed God's goodness and mercy by giving the Moabites evidence that God is to be served, a clear and distinct light from God's throne itself and a last ray of light to a stiff-necked people who had set their wills in defiance against God's will.