Written ~ 09-09-2023
Numbers 23:19-20
“God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!”
What wonderful truths about our Almighty God. This statement comes from the mouth of Balaam, he was a prophet, a wise man who heard the voice of the Lord and would deliver messages to those who needed to hear.
The story of Balaam is found in Numbers chapters 22-24. In Chapter 22 we find King Balak of Moab noticing a vast horde of people, the Israelites, moving towards his land. King Balak greatly feared the Israelites, he knew his kingdom would not be able to stand against them in battle. In that fear, he called for Balaam (22:5), King Balak summoned him for one purpose and that was for him to curse the Israelites so the Moabites could conquer them (22:6).
When Balaam was summoned and heard the message from the King, he told the King’s officials that he could not go with them, that the Lord would not let him go. King Balak tried again, this time letting him know he would be greatly rewarded. Balaam responded to the King with this message found in verses 22:18-19,
“But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. But stay here one more night, and I will see if the Lord has anything else to say to me.’”
During the night the Lord told Balaam to go with the King’s men, verse 22:20,
“Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do.”
The next morning Balaam set off with the Moabite officials to meet the King. Chapter 22:21-36 is one of the best stories in the Old Testament. If you have the time to read that section of Balaam’s journey, it is one of my personal favorites.
Once Balaam reached King Balak, he was immediately greeted with an almost panicked king, verse 22:37 shows the importance of his summons, “Didn’t I send you an urgent invitation? Why didn’t you come right away? Didn’t you believe me when I said I would reward you richly?” I love Balaam’s calm response, verse 22:38, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.”
King Balak wants Balaam to curse Israel, basically he wants Balaam to convince the Lord to curse them. In chapters 23 and 24 we read the messages from the Lord given to Balaam. Three times King Balak asks Balaam to curse the Israelites and three times through the messages God gives to Balaam, the Lord blesses them. The concluding verse in chapter 24:25 says, “Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.” There was nothing left to do or say, the Lord had made His decision, the Israelites would not be cursed, they were already blessed by God and He was not going to change His mind just because King Balak wanted Him to curse them.
So, let’s look at this from our perspective. What have you begged and pleaded with Almighty God to do for you? Have you already received the answer? Maybe just not the one you wanted? So, you keep trying? But the answer remains the same. Maybe these verses, these few chapters can be a reminder to us, remember what Balaam said in 22:18? “…I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God…”
It is important, even with a lack of understanding, that we pray according to the will of God. That’s why we study the Scriptures isn’t it? To know the Word of the Lord, to know who He is and not be surprised by His answers when it doesn’t line up with what we want. God will always have a higher purpose and unfortunately it may take some disappointment to realize that the requests not being answered the way we want, is God’s will and His purpose for that situation.
King Balak was not happy that God would not curse the Israelites for him. Now, it may not be that we want curse someone, but I’m sure there are plenty of things we think we want that are not what God has planned. That’s where we need to remember our verses for today. Verse 23:19,
God is not a man, so He does not lie.
He is not human, so He does not change His mind.
Has He ever spoken and failed to act?
Has He ever promised and not carried it through?
We need to understand, that by waving a “magic wand” of requests and commands to the Lord God that it will not make Him do all of our demands. That’s just not realistic, sounds kind of absurd when you look at it that way doesn’t it? But I believe we are all guilty of pleading with God to change His mind, when we know the answer is set. So, when King Balak insists that Balaam curse Israel, Balaam’s response is simple, verse 23:20,
“Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!”
King Balak did not like what he was hearing, he did not accept the Word of the Lord. Is that you today? Have you pleaded with the Lord to do something that you know He has already answered? Do you storm away in anger and exasperation when your will isn’t done? Or do you humble yourself before the Lord God Almighty and accept His answer. It might just be that the Lord is asking for your complete trust in the matter. His promises are true, God does not lie, we need to trust He knows what He is doing. At the end of chapter 24, you feel King Balak’s exasperation. You can almost visual him throwing his hands up in the air and saying, “FINE! Have it your way!” Then he turns abruptly, walks away and heads back home. Don’t let that be your response when you don’t get the answer you want from the Lord. Instead, ask for peace and the comfort you will need to handle whatever the outcome will be.
Are you like King Balak, all demands and exasperation? Or are you Balaam, seeking the will of the Lord and doing exactly as He says? Well, it’s something to think about and examine yourself closely to see how you truthfully answer those questions.
Thank You Almighty God for always keeping Your promises. Help me to understand Your will when my requests are not being answered the way I expected. Give me understanding, help me to be like Balaam, to seek Your will with every request I make and not waver from the answer I receive from You. Thank You Father for only being truth, thank you for speaking to my heart. I love You LORD!
~AMEN~