HYACKs Devotions – February 27th

FEBRUARY 27^th

READ:

Numbers 23

THINK:

You have probably heard that one definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and over again and hoping for a different result.  If there’s any truth to that, than Balak certainly is teetering on the brink of insanity!  He is intent of having this “prophet” Balaam curse God’s people, the Israelites, because of his fear of them.  This doesn’t go very well for him.  In spite of his urgings, anger, and repeated attempts, Balaam does nothing but prophesy good things about the people of Israel, to Balak’s great dismay.  If you have time today, read Numbers 24 as well, to get the entire picture of Balaam’s words regarding God’s people.

This passage in Numbers is meant to be almost humorous to us.  Balak, the king, is really a buffoon.  He gets angrier and angrier as Balaam continues to bless – not curse – God’s people.  After Balaam’s first prophecy about Israel, in which he predicts great flourishing and success for them, Balak comes to him with these frustrated words: “What have you done to me?  I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them” (23:11).  Balaam, though not a good man, is in some sense bound to speak only the words that God gives to him.  He tells Balak: “Must I not take care to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?” (23:12).  The cycle continues, and it gets more humorous each time, as Balak incorporates different “strategies” in order to draw a curse out of Balaam.  He tries taking him to a different location.  They build some altars.  Balaam even faces a different direction – toward the wilderness – when he makes one of his speeches.  Finally, after Balaam has spoken four distinct prophecies of great blessing regarding God’s people, both he and Balak give up and go home (24:25).  Balak’s plan has failed, to say the least!

So, what do we learn from these two pagan men and these attempts to curse God’s people?  Is this passage here just to make us laugh?  It seems that Numbers 22-24 teaches us that God’s plan and intention for His people have not changed at all since the very first days when He called Abram.  Remember the repeated idea in Genesis?  God is intent on blessing His people, although they seem intent on resisting His blessing.  God is still fully committed to blessing His people.  Remember, we have just read several passages in the last few days that recount great rebellion from God’s people – even from their leaders.  God’s people certainly don’t deserve this insistent blessing of God.  But, God’s purpose for His people has not changed; His stance toward them is one of blessing.  Balaam could not curse people that GOD had not cursed.  Balak could not reverse the “stance” of blessing that the gracious God had taken permanently toward His people.

PRAY:

If you belong to Jesus today – if He is your Savior and Lord – then you are under God’s permanent blessing.  Nothing can change that!  While Satan, your adversary, would love to make you feel guilty and “curse” you with accusations, God’s Word reminds us that, in Christ, we are completely forgiven and washed clean by His death on the cross for our sins.  No one can curse people whom God has chosen to bless through His Son!  Ask God to remind you of this reality today.  Pray that He would help you live under His blessing – in obedience to Jesus.