Tag Archives: Balaam

Arming For Battle

“So Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.” (Numbers 31:3, ESV) Our adversary is cunning. Our conflict is real. Our battle is fierce. However, our battle is not against “flesh and blood,” but “against theContinue reading “Arming For Battle”

Be Not Unequally Yoked

“So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.” (Numbers 25:3, ESV) While we learn from Balaam’s words that he could not curse Israel because God had blessed them, Israel could create their own problems by participating in gross idolatry. This is the case here. TheyContinue reading “Be Not Unequally Yoked”

Our King

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17, ESV) In Balaam’s final oracle, the imagery speaks of a rulerContinue reading “Our King”

Joining His Work

“Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.” (Numbers 23:20, ESV) In the second oracle of Balaam, we see a key theological principle. God is sovereign and what God decrees man cannot override. Balak offered Balaam money to curse Israel to which Balaam responds that it is impossibleContinue reading “Joining His Work”

Fear Not

“How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8, ESV) The situation was that Balak, king of Moab made an allegiance with Midian because of the perceived threat of Israel. Balak, summoned Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and asked him to curse Israel. WhileContinue reading “Fear Not”

Devotion In Life

“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’ And Balaam said to the donkey, ‘Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I wouldContinue reading “Devotion In Life”

Spiritual Blindness

“But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. . . When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the LordContinue reading “Spiritual Blindness”