Numbers 23-25

Ever learned a lesson? Ever learned a lesson about God? Balaam did. Yesterday we talked about how Balaam had sought his own glory being called to Balak to curse a people group. We talked about how God was angry with Balaam for his defiant heart which had questioned again God’s clear first response.

In today’s reading we find Balaam before Balak trying to do as he is told. Yet though he is asked to curse, after entreating God, God’s words instead are for blessing. Balaam listens to God as He calls upon Balaam to bless His people, Israel.

Balak is shocked by the blessing but attempts again to get Balaam to curse the people. (Besides, a second chance had been all that was necessary to get Balaam to come to Moab in the first place, so maybe a second attempt would be needed for the curse as well.) So yet again Balaam entreats the Lord… just like he had done back at his home, a second time… But Balaam is again called upon to bless Israel. And he begins with a very strong reprimand of Balak, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent (change his mind)” (Numbers 23:19).

But Balak is undaunted in his resolve and asks Balaam one more time to curse God’s people. And it is here we see the lesson learned. This time, Balaam has learned… “Listen to God, when He gives you an answer, walk in it, don’t question it.” The beginning of Numbers 24 reads as follows, “When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens…”

Balaam understood that God was not going to change His mind. (It’s like asking me over and over again to root for U of L over UK! It just ain’t going to happen, people!) After getting a clear response, going again to God to seek a different answer is sinful and defiant. Balaam had learned this lesson. He knew what God wanted from him and he chose to walk in it. He didn’t need to pray about it anymore, he need to put feet to his faith.

It was very encouraging to seek Balaam grow in his relationship with God in just a few chapters. It was also powerful as the blessings magnified for Israel. Balaam’s last blessing was greater than the two before, and being Spirit-filled, he even goes so far as to implicitly curse Moab and Balak when he says, “Cursed is everyone who curses you” which is surely that which Balak was seeking.

So again, yesterday’s question is repeated. Ever heard a word from God? Good or bad? If you have walked against it, take heed of Balaam’s experience and learn from his lesson. Follow God and trust that His answers are true and trustworthy. He roams the earth to make Himself strong in those whose hearts are wholly His. Won’t you be that person today?