Day 46 – A Year in the Bible – Numbers 22-24
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NUMBERS 22 – A MIRACULOUS INTERVENTION
King Balak of Moab attempted to hire the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites.
Israel is Protected
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. – Numbers 22:12
Those blessed by God cannot be cursed. Israel is blessed so Balaam isn’t allowed to curse them…nor are we allowed.
Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the LORD
And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. – Numbers 22:18
Although he speaks the right words—claiming he cannot go beyond the word of the Lord—he repeatedly asks God for permission to go, hoping for a different answer that would allow him to collect Balak’s reward.
The Angel Stood in the Way
And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him… – Numbers 22:22
A Miraculous Intervention
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” – Numbers 22:28
The Word that God Putteth in My Mouth Shall I Speak
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. – Numbers 22:38
God can use anyone, even a reluctant prophet and a donkey, to fulfill His purpose and protect His people.
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NUMBERS 23 – GOD SPEAKS
God Speaks
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! – Numbers 23:8-10
He hath Blessed and I Cannot Reverse It
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. – Numbers 23:19-20
Balak promised Balaam riches and prestige to curse the children of Israel. God wouldn’t let it happen and told Balaam over and over that it was not happening. God’s people were blessed, and not to be cursed. Balak tempted Balaam over and over with things and status. Each time, God instructed Balaam to speak only what God told him. God’s instruction and His Word did not change though Balak tried to change the scenery to get a change of response.
Balak learned the lesson we all must learn. God is not a man, that He should lie. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yes, His Words all those years ago are still the same today and forever will be.
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NUMBERS 24 – GOD BLESSES ISRAEL
In Numbers 24 Balaam, compelled by God, blesses Israel instead of cursing them.
Declaring the Beauty and Order of God’s People
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” – Numbers 24:5
Recalling the Covenant Promise Given to Abrahm
…Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.” – Numbers 24:9b
What the LORD Saith, that will I Speak
…I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? – Numbers 24:13b
Prophecy Foretelling a Future King
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. – Numbers 24:17
Prophecy of Ultimate Victory and Dominion
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. – Numbers 24:19
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