Numbers 23

 

The Word Given Even Through Balaam (Numbers 23:1-12)

5 “The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, ‘Go back to Balak and give him this word.’” (NIV)

 

God, who even made a donkey speak, also speaks through Balaam the diviner. Therefore, cherish the completed Scripture He has given us.

Humanity, having departed from God, has become hardened—living as its own master and doing what seems right in its own eyes.

Balak, king of Moab in today’s passage, was also a descendant of Lot, yet he became hardened as he opposed his relatives, Israel.

Though his attempts to curse Israel continually failed, Balak did not give up but kept moving from place to place to try again.

Even after confirming that God was blessing instead of cursing, he did not turn back. This reflects the state of humanity captured by the evil

devil and unclean spirits.

 

1. What God Does Through Balak and Balaam

1) In order to curse Israel, they moved to three different places and built altars.

2) Balaam was captivated by the large fee and was trying to persuade the LORD God.

3) Balak king of Moab desperately wanted Israel to be powerfully cursed.

4) Romans 8:33–34 

 

2. God Urges Repentance Even Through Balaam

1) God reveals that He is faithful to carry out what He has spoken to Israel.

2) They should have realized that they could never overturn God’s plan.

3) Balak and Balaam should not have repeated the same mistake but should have fallen before God.

4) Balak and Balaam were committing the detestable act of trying to persuade God in order to fulfill their own will.

 

3. Balak and Balaam Represent Stubborn Self-Centeredness

1) If we live according to what seems right in our own eyes, we too will inevitably live like Balak and Balaam.

2) But if we know and follow God’s purpose and plan, an amazing door will open.

3) Verses 1–12 describe Balaam receiving an oracle according to God’s will and delivering it to Balak.

4) Balaam reached the point of making the confession in verse 10, yet in the end he went down the path of destruction.

 

Conclusion: A Divided Heart and Straddling Two Sides Is the Way of Destruction.

1) In Balaam, the desires of the flesh and the love of money were stronger.

2) Even today, many church members are following the way of Balaam.

3) 1 Timothy 6:9–10 

4) God left precious Word even through Balaam the diviner (v. 19)

 

Balak, an unbeliever, had no interest in what God’s will was. He only asked Balaam to move God according to his own desires.

Yet we who say we believe can easily do the same. Rather than holding to the Word He gives and being guided by holding to 3 todays,

we often pray in order to move God to accomplish our own will. We pray for what we want and assume that God will hear and answer

according to our wishes. That is similar to Balak’s level. What is most important is first to hold to the Word God gives us.

The life of faith is to meditate on that Word, hold to 3 todays centered on it, and be guided accordingly.

I bless you to live a life that holds to the Word of blessing given to you in love, entrusting it to God so that He may fulfill it just as He has spoken.