Numbers 23
Devotional:
Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!” But Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth.” (Numbers 23:11-12)
Balaam has been hired by Balak to pronounce a curse over the people of Israel, but he speaks a blessing, not a curse, on them. This surprises and frustrates Balak, but Balaam points out that those whom God has blessed cannot be cursed. In a second oracle, Balak tries to persuade Balaam to offer a curse on a small portion of them, but God puts words in Balaam’s mouth about how God cannot change His mind — the people are blessed, not cursed. Finally, Balak just asks if Balaam can just not offer a blessing on them, and Balaam can’t because the people are blessed by God. What a great picture of God’s promises that cannot be overturned or changed! If you know Christ, know that you are blessed and that nothing others can say or do (or even try to) can separate you from God’s blessings and promises.
Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!” But Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth.” (Numbers 23:11-12)
Balaam has been hired by Balak to pronounce a curse over the people of Israel, but he speaks a blessing, not a curse, on them. This surprises and frustrates Balak, but Balaam points out that those whom God has blessed cannot be cursed. In a second oracle, Balak tries to persuade Balaam to offer a curse on a small portion of them, but God puts words in Balaam’s mouth about how God cannot change His mind — the people are blessed, not cursed. Finally, Balak just asks if Balaam can just not offer a blessing on them, and Balaam can’t because the people are blessed by God. What a great picture of God’s promises that cannot be overturned or changed! If you know Christ, know that you are blessed and that nothing others can say or do (or even try to) can separate you from God’s blessings and promises.
Pray it:
Father, help me remember that you are faithful to your promises and your Word so that I am blessed and secure. Help me to know that all attempts to oppose you will be thwarted and that the blessings you have promised will be fulfilled. Amen.
Father, help me remember that you are faithful to your promises and your Word so that I am blessed and secure. Help me to know that all attempts to oppose you will be thwarted and that the blessings you have promised will be fulfilled. Amen.
Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?
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