Scripture Focus: Numbers 22–24
Background: Balak’s Fear and Balaam’s Call
In Numbers 22, we are introduced to Balak, the king of Moab, who is terrified of the growing Israelite population near his land. He says:
“Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field” (22:4).
In desperation, Balak sends messengers to summon Balaam, son of Beor, asking him to curse the Israelites to prevent them from overtaking his kingdom.
Balaam’s First Response
“Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” (22:8)
God then speaks to Balaam:
“You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (22:12)
Balaam’s Second Response
Balak sends a second delegation, this time “more numerous and more honorable” (22:15), urging Balaam to reconsider.
Balaam replies:
“Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.” (22:18)
God then tells Balaam:
“If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” (22:20)
However, Balaam goes out to meet them without being called again, which angers God (22:22). God sends an angel to oppose Balaam, leading to the well-known story of Balaam’s donkey, who sees the angel and stops three times. Balaam, unaware of the angel’s presence, strikes the donkey until:
The Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and then Balaam’s eyes. The angel warns:
“Only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” (22:35)
Balaam and Balak Meet
Balaam arrives in Moab and says to Balak:
“Look, I have come to you! Now, do I have any power at all to say anything? The word God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” (22:38)
Balaam’s Prophecies and Balak’s Frustration
First Prophecy (23:7–10)
Balak is upset with the blessing Balaam speaks. Balaam replies:
“Must I not take heed to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?” (23:12)
Second Prophecy (23:18–24)
Again, Balaam speaks blessing. Balak responds angrily. Balaam stands firm:
“Did I not tell you, saying, ‘All that the Lord speaks, that I must do’?” (23:26)
Third Prophecy (24:3–9)
Balak reacts in fury and refuses to reward Balaam. But Balaam concludes:
“If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own will. What the Lord says, that I must speak.” (24:13)
The Core Takeaway: God Keeps His Word
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
(Numbers 23:19)
Despite Israel’s disobedience, God’s promises remain unshaken. From the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3; 17:1–8) to the blessings spoken through Balaam, God’s word does not change. Israel was not blessed because of righteousness but because of God’s faithfulness.
This is the very foundation of the Gospel:
Our salvation depends not on our own righteousness but on God’s sovereign will and grace.
(See Ephesians 2:1–10)
Our Responsibility: Do Not Go Beyond the Word of the Lord
Just as Balaam was entrusted with a divine message, we too have been entrusted with the message of the Gospel:
“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day…” (1 Corinthians 15:1–5)
Like Balaam, we are called to speak only what God has spoken, faithfully and without alteration.
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it…”
(Deuteronomy 4:2; see also Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18–19)
Conclusion: Hold Fast to God’s Word
In every generation—whether in ancient Moab or today—the people of God must stand firm in this truth:
We cannot go beyond the word of the Lord.
Let His Word be our anchor, our message, and our mission.
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