Today's passage: Numbers 23
Helpful thoughts:
- Balak secured for himself a false prophet for hire in order to curse Israel. His hopes were to hear good news (From his perspective) from deity, to bring about Israel's downfall and encourage his people against them.
- In today's passage, we see the first two attempts at cursing Israel fail.
- God will not allow Balaam to curse Israel.
- What God has said He would do, He was going to do (Verse 19).
- Giving evidence to his ignorance of the Lord, Balak seeks a second and third location for potential cursing…as if God would think differently, or speak differently in a different location with more offerings.
Questions to consider:
- What are we able to learn about God in this passage? How was His power displayed (Even over those who do not believe in Him)? How were His former promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob featured in Balaam's blessings? How would the recounting of His former promises give hope for the fulfilment of His present promises?
- How did Balak and Balaam give evidence to their ignorance concerning the true nature of God? What were they trying to accomplish? What did they think they could do with “the gods” to bring about their desired ends?
- How is God different than all the gods mankind has created throughout history? Why is He to be reverenced, heard, and obeyed? How does this truth make the gospel that much sweeter?