SCRIPTURE: Numbers 23
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
God is giving Balak plenty of opportunity to repent, to come to his senses. Balaam, speaking from God, sheds light on this situation – these people are with God, and God is with them; do not resist them, join them! But Balak is deceived, and determined to get his own way. He foolishly thinks that the gods (including Israel’s god) are territorial, and that if you find the right spot, you can lob your curses with success. But the God of Israel is the God of the universe – in Egypt, in the wilderness, in Canaan, in the middle east, to the ends of the earth – God is in charge. Not even a sorcerer [Numbers 24:1] can go against Him.
Jesus also comes on behalf of the God of the universe, shedding the light of truth to all people (not just the Jews), so that they can turn to God and find life. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” [John 12:46] When the Jewish leaders challenge Him because of His words (think of Balak challenging Balaam), Jesus replies, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” [John 12:49-50] Jesus, like Balaam, can only say what God tells Him to say. And we would do well to listen.
Satan wants to curse; God wants to bless. Satan’s design is death; God’s desire is life, eternal life. Jesus is the messenger and provider of this life, and the best thing to do is go to Him and listen to Him. On another occasion Jesus describes two paths, the broad and the narrow path [Matthew 7:13-14]. Either we are for or against God, for or against Jesus. Either we fully surrender ourselves to Him and to the life that He offers, or we reject Him and life. There is no middle ground, there is no moderate position.
Am I a fully devoted follower of Jesus? Am I listening to His message and heeding it? Am I living towards His blessing, or Satan’s curse. Sure, the broad way is easier, but look where it ends up. Honestly, most Christians do not want the broad path, most of us admit that the way of Jesus is the best. But in practice we aim for the middle ground. We cling to as much of the world, and self, as we think we can… little realizing that this is leading us in the wrong direction. Will I – like Balaam, like Jesus – choose to do and say only what the Lord calls me to do and to say?
PRAYER:
Lord, Your way is life, my way is death. I know this from experience. Strengthen my resolve to love and serve You completely!
The prophet speaks the words of the Lord. He can do nothing but that. I too need to speak the words of the Lord in my daily life. All too often I speak what I want to speak and do things my way rather than His way. I have chosen to follow Jesus and therefore I have no choice but to speak the words of Christ. If Christ is in me, what else can I do? Others must see Christ in me by what I say and do. As a believer I too am a prophet speaking the very words of Christ.
Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou has sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.