Bible Chapter: Numbers 23 & 24

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    In the previous chapters, Balak, King of Moab, had called Balaam to come and curse Israel.  He was afraid of them and thought that someone could curse them and protect his land.  Balaam refused to curse them.  In these chapters we see Balaam present four expressions of who God is.  One well-known passage is chapter 23:19-20 NKJV.  19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.
    God doesn’t lie.  He doesn’t have to change His mind because He made a mistake.  When He commands to bless, no power can undo it.  Having the blessings of God is an awesome benefit in life.
    As Balak continued to put pressure on Balaam to curse Israel, he responded that even if Balak gave him his palace filled with gold and silver, he could no go against the command of God.  This is an important truth to remember.  People may think they can do anything they want and not worry about what God says, but they are wrong.  It may appear that they are getting away with rejecting God, but they haven’t had the final judgement yet.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I must reject those who work to undo what God has declared.  I read people who say that today we are smarter, we have greater revelation than they had thousands of years ago.  So, we can take what the Bible says and interpret it in light of our greater revelation.  My response to that is this: that is pathetic, arrogant and insulting to all previous generations.  If God truly is not a man that He can lie, then what He said thousands of years ago doesn’t change.  God’s plan always has been that Jesus would come and provide life for all who believe.  There are modern “Balaks” who are looking for someone to curse God and His followers.  They will all fail.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see eternal priorities.  Balaam was not perfect, but he had a great insight when he said that even if he received a palace filled with gold and silver he wouldn’t go against God.  First of all he didn’t have the power to go against God.  And secondly, the gold and silver wouldn’t last and positively impact eternity.  It’s interesting that in heaven, the Bible says God uses gold for pavement.  What is precious on earth is walked on in heaven.