Numbers 23:1-30
Q.1. Was Balaam’s message to King Balak pleasing to him? What was the basic message God gave the prophet? – (Num.23:1-12)
Balaam had learned a valuable lesson about trivializing God’s direction. He told Balak – whatever He shows me I will tell you (Num.23:3). God virtually dictated His message to Balaam – How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? (Num.23:8). Of course, Balak was not pleased. However, in response, the prophet reiterated that he could only speak God’s message (Num.23:11-12).
Q.2. What lesson did God want King Balak to learn about His control over the nations? Could mischief befall His people by human design alone? – (Num.23:13-30)
King Balak was a slow learner. He insisted on bribing the prophet of God to curse Israel, on no less than four occasions. He seemed to imagine that he could use threats, force, bribery, and corruption to achieve his ends. God’s message to King Balak was classic. It is a sobering reminder to anyone who imagines he can dictate terms to the sovereign God – 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 it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Num.23:19). With regards to Israel, the prophet was told that God had planned to bless her – 20 Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it. 21 He has not observed misfortune in Jacob; Nor has He seen trouble in Israel; The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them (Num.23:20-21).