Numbers 23 Commentary
The sacrifices that Balaam and Balak make in verse 1 resemble the sacrifices at the Sanctuary. But that’s where the similarity ends. Everything else is different. If the LORD God speaks to Balaam, it won’t be because of these sacrifices. He has been speaking to Balaam without these rituals!
Regardless, Balaam knows one of two things about the God of Abraham. But his career and reputation as a diviner or spiritist (one who blesses and curses) betrays the thought that he is close to being the prophet of God. If he is one, then he is a bad one!
“…whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.” Chapter 23 verse 6. You would expect a true prophet of God to protest this credit. But Balaam didn’t!
The saint knows he or she is an empty shell without the Holy Spirit!
But the LORD God doesn’t mind using the bad prophet as His mouthpiece. We are definitely more comfortable with this mouthpiece than the donkey! It’s a tale of strange tools!
How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced? Further, Balaam references Israel’s holiness or separation from the nations. She is prosperous! This is God’s first message through Balaam
God’s second message is heavier! God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? He has blessed, and I cannot change it. No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. There is no divination against Jacob, no evil omens against Israel.
Of course, Balaam and Balak change locations, but the message will not change! We are happy the LORD spoke! Spiritual attacks won’t breach God’s layer of protection!
If Israel is going to lose any battle, it won’t be down to curses or spiritual weapons unleashed on her from the enemy. It won’t even be because the enemy is stronger – Israel is always stronger because of her God. Israel is always behind God’s green zone! It’s a layer of protection against any form of attack!
You guess Israel didn’t know about her position behind God’s green zone. She probably wasn’t aware of her strength, hence her constant complaints!
These pages should encourage the church in its battles against the enemy. Egypt’s magic failed, Balaam’s powers couldn’t work, and Egypt’s military power failed. Who wins against God? But does Israel understand these facts? They wet themselves when a fully disarmed enemy shows up!
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