“Day 22 (Numbers 22)”

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Balak send for Balaam. He wants Balaam to curse the people of God.  Balaam just had to have his way (Numbers 22).  There are many sad stories in the Bible, especially in Numbers. This is certainly among the saddest. 

Balaam was bound and determined to get his way. He thought he had until God prevented him from cursing Israel.  When cursing Israel did not work he lead her to idolatry and sexually immorality. 

What is sad, and humorous at the same time, in this story is that Balaam’s donkey knew more than he did. Even more amazing is the donkey talks to Balaam (Numbers 22:28-30). A person has to reach a really low point in life for God to use a beast of burden to communicate His mind.  The donkey noticed the Angel of the Lord but Balaam did not. At last the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he admits his sin. Balaam is remembered for his greed and prideful heart. 

However, God would use Balaam to reveal great truths about Israel. First, God had blessed the people of Israel and He would not allow them to be cursed. Second, blessed by God the nation had been set apart. Third, was the emphasis on the size of the camp (Numbers 22:41). 

As long as Israel walked with God and obeyed His will they were undefeated.  The battles we fight today are not with flesh and blood but heavenly hosts (Eph. 6:16). Just as with Israel of as old, even so, with spiritual Israel today, as long as we walk with God and obey His will He will not allow us to be defeated. 

Pride and greed are effective tools in the arsenal of Satan. Our protection is the whole armor of God. Chief among our weapons is the sword which is the word of God. And then finally prayer.  Nothing Satan offers us is worth the price we will pay. Balaam learned that the hard. He too, lives in infamy throughout the Bible story.

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