THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Numbers 23:27-24:25
27:
Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it
will please God to let you curse them for me from there.”
28:
And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.
29:
Balaam said, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven
rams for me.”
30:
Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
1:
Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort
to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.
2:
When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of
God came on him
3:
and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of
one whose eye sees clearly,
4:
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the
Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
5:
“How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!
6:
“Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted
by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.
7:
Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their
king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.
8:
“God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They
devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they
pierce them.
9:
Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them?
“May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
10:
Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said
to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these
three times.
11:
Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the
Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”
12:
Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
13:
‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do
anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the
Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?
14:
Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people
will do to your people in days to come.”
15:
Then he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of
one whose eye sees clearly,
16:
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most
High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes
are opened:
17:
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of
Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
18:
Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will
grow strong.
19:
A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
20:
Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: “Amalek was first among the
nations, but their end will be utter destruction.”
21:
Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message: “Your dwelling place is secure,
your nest is set in a rock;
22:
yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive.”
23:
Then he spoke his message: “Alas! Who can live when God does this?
24:
Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but
they too will come to ruin.”
25:
Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
GOD’S UNCHANGING DECISIONS IN A CHANGING WORLD
Our
divine food today demonstrates God's unchangeable decisions, no matter what
happens. As the Creator, He is all - knowing.
Despite
the fact that Balak's attempts to curse the Israelites failed, he didn't give
up. He believed Balaam was capable of changing God's decisions for he was seen
as an oracle.
Pseudo
pastors fall into this category as they often seek other means to hear from
God. And when the Spirit of God came upon Balaam, he could no longer speak
otherwise but utter God's words (read verses 3 to 12 and note that their evil
alliances broke).
Balak's
anger burned against Balaam and they finally parted ways. That is how your God
will scatter the plans of the enemies against you this day.
Our
unchanging God in a changing world compelled Balaam to speak nothing more than
His eternal blessings on the people of Israel.
Fear
no evil conspiracy when you're living under the shadow of the Almighty
(Ps.91:1,2).
QUESTION:
Do you still fear when evil men threaten you with curses, in the light of
today's teachings?
PRAYER:
Keep me focused on You only, dear Lord, that I may not fear what men may do
unto me, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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