Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
The verse pictures Israel as a lion couched at rest in strength after victory, so secure and powerful that no one can rouse, challenge, or overcome it. In its setting the lion image foretold victory over the Canaanites followed by secure settlement in their land. The Moabites understood this to mean that any attempt to subdue Israel would be futile.
The verse belongs to a prophecy of the prosperity of God's chosen people. That prosperity and power depended on faithfulness to God. It promises that Israel would subdue its enemies if faithful and true to God. It identifies Israel's King as the Son of God, whose throne would one day be established on earth and whose power would rise above every earthly kingdom.
It declares that those who bless Israel will be blessed, while those who curse or seek to destroy God's people will be cursed and bring that curse upon themselves. God's blessing on Israel could not be turned into a curse, for though Balaam sought to curse for reward he was compelled by God's Spirit to pronounce blessing instead. Balak applied repeated pressure to influence him, yet the blessing could not be changed into a curse. While Israel remained loyal and obedient to God no earthly or demonic power could prevail against them, but when they sinned and broke His commandments they separated themselves from Him and were left exposed to the destroyer's power. As applied, the verse illustrates steadfastness that repeated pressure cannot shake, as when Luther could not be moved to abandon his convictions.