CENTRAL THOUGHT
Whom God has blessed no one can curse.
HYMN: STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS!
TEXT: Text: Numbers 23:1-30
INTRODUCTION:
Israel fought several wars on their way from Egypt to the promised land. God gave them victory, in all these wars including war with Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16), Amorites (Numbers 21:21-32) and several other nations. Therefore, when the children of Israel camped in the plains of Moab, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab became afraid because Israelites were many and he had seen how they had utterly destroyed other nations. In a desperate bid to avert the impending danger, Balak invited Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he could defeat them. Some have argued that Balaam was a soothsayer but used by God temporarily. Others believed that Balaam seemed to have known God considering that he inquired from God who in turn spoke to him on several occasions; he declared God’s message faithfully, made sacrifice to Him but later went into error for reward and became a soothsayer (Joshua 13:22; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14; 2 Peter 2:14-16).
Whatever the position, the episode that followed the invitation extended to Balaam by Balak to curse Israel is full of diverse lessons which are the focus of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To understand Balaam’s identity and why Balak sent for him.
- To appreciate some truths from the prophecies of Balaam.
- To examine some of Balaam’s errors.
- To understand that Christians should not fear curses.
- To highlight the danger in compromise.
Q1. WHO WAS BALAAM AND WHY DID BALAK SEND FOR HIM?
Joshua 13:22; Numbers 22:2-6, 24:2-4; 2 Peter 2:15-16
Balam was the son of Beor, a king of Edom (Genesis 36:1-32), who settled in Pethor, beyond the river Euphrates in Mesopotamia. He was not an Israelite but an internationally known priest-diviner who had a widespread reputation of having ability to prophesy and pronounce a curse or blessing upon people.
Israel defeated Sihon, King of the Amorites who refused them passage through his land and took possession of all the land north of the river Armon which was the northern border of Moab, as they moved north, they defeated King Og of Bashan who ruled over sixty cities at Edrei (Deuteronomy 3:1-12). These exploits together with the numerical strength of Israel kept Balak the King of Moab jittering. He confessed that Israel who was coming out of Egypt has covered the face of the earth and a people too powerful for him to handle. The people of Israel were a great multitude, and their mere presence in the plains of Moab put fear into Balak, the King of the Moabites. He therefore schemed to get the nation of Israel cursed by Balaam with the hope that divination and incantations against Israel will cause their defeat. Balak then sent a powerful delegate with the rewards of divination in their hands requesting Balaam to come immediately to place a curse on Israel to enable Balak and his men prevail against them.
Q2. WHAT TRUTHS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PROPHECIES OF BALAAM?
Numbers 23:7-10, 19-23, 24:9
As long as sin and perverseness were not found in Israel, God’s presence, blessings and hands of protection was with them. Thus, Balaam got it right when he asked “But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned?”, Numbers 23:8. Balaam was so overwhelmed by what he saw that he exclaimed, “let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs (Israel)”, Numbers 23:10B.
A man that is in right standing with God is unconquerable. The devil knows that there is power in righteousness hence he would stop at nothing to see if a Christian will fall into sin and thus lure him out of the shadow of the Almighty. Holiness guarantees God’s presence which automatically renders the devil and his agent powerless. When God has blessed a man, there is no divination, no enchantment that will work against such a one. Proverbs 26:2 also says, “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not alight.”
Another important truth is that God is not a man that He should lie. Man can make a promise and later change his mind but not God. What God says He will do, He will do. He is a covenant keeping God. His integrity cannot be compromised, God’s word can be depended upon; His promises are sure, as He has all it takes to fulfill them.
Q3. READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES AND IDENTIFY BALAAM’S ERRORS.
Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14
A. Apostles Balaam was the one that revealed the secret why Israel could not be conquered. He posited that God was with His children because He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob. He suggested to Balak to introduce iniquity in the midst of God’s people. He specifically recommended that Balak should sponsor some beautiful girls into the camp of Israel so that their men will fall into fornication and encourage the people to worship idols. Balaam was a greedy man. He obeyed God up to a point, before he fell into error because of his greed for money. He used religion for personal advancement, a sin which God does not take lightly. He loved gain even when it meant to go against the will of God. An offer of money by Balak made him a willing tool in the hand of this heathen king.
God’s clear instruction to Balaam was not to go with the delegates. He was not to curse these people for they have been blessed by God. God’s stand on the matter was unambiguous and unequivocal. The second inquiry made by Balaam was to see whether God had changed His mind. The fact that despite God’s reply he inquired of Him the second time portrays his inner desire to follow them and to curse Israel. His outward confession suggests that he was unyielding, but he was undoubtedly enticed by this second offer and the Lord noticed it. God, having realized that Balaam was not able to resist the tempting bulk of money before him, permitted him to go with them. But He was angry that Balaam was going with them, Numbers 22:10-22.
There are dangers in attempting to “change God’s mind” to fit in with our personal desire. When the choice becomes ours, God’s presence is not guaranteed.
Many today display similar attitude. We want God’s approval to carry out an action. Even when God makes it clear to us that it is not His will for us to go ahead with such action we are not satisfied, we then devise another method to get His approval or the semblance of it.
Q4. SHOULD A CHRISTIAN BE AFRAID OF CURSES?
Numbers 23:8, 20
Balaam asked how he can curse those whom God has blessed. By his confession he was admitting that God’s power is more potent than whatever magical power he paraded. All such magical powers are weak and ineffective before God and that the children of God are safe and out of reach of their enemies. Balaam ended up blessing the people of God instead of cursing them. God’s blessing remained with the Israelites, as long as they stayed true to His word.
The privilege that the children of Israel had also apply to us today. All children of God are blessed people. It is futile for anyone to curse us because we have been blessed by the Lord. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”, Romans 8:31; Proverbs 26:2.
A Christian should not be afraid of any curse. There is no divination, no enchantment against us that will prosper because “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world”. Our God is all powerful. No power of darkness can withstand God’s power. Our lives are hid with Christ in God, Colossians 3:3.
Let us not be afraid of the terrors of the night nor the arrow that flies in the day, Psalm 91:4, for God has promised to rescue those who love Him and protect those that trust in His name, Psalm 91:14.
Q5. WHAT LESSONS CAN WE DERIVE FROM THE COMPROMISE OF THE ISRAELITES WHEN THEY WERE ENTICED BY THE MOABITES?
Numbers 25:1-9; Proverbs 1:10; Ephesians 4:27
The Israelites compromised by their men having sexual relations with the women of Moab which led them to sharing in the worship of their idols as well. Initially, these men were just interested in sexual immorality. Not long, the women started inviting them to their local feasts that involved idol worship. For this reason, God’s anger was against them, which resulted in twenty-four thousand souls perishing in a day and their leaders hanged to avert God’s anger. Sin kills, Balaak did not shoot a single gun, but only sponsored girls into the midst of the children of Israel. What machine gun could not do, sin did in a few hours. Witches and wizards may not be able to kill a man of God but iniquity will. When a church begins to be weak, check the rank and file, you will see sin.
Sin slaughtered the powerful Samson. The anointing that took so many years to grow in the head of Samson was erased in hours because of his relations with that prostitute Delilah, Judges 16:1-21. Therefore, watch out when sin comes knocking at your door.
Daily Living Application:
Never follow the way of Balaam, who loved the gains of unrighteousness that are temporal. He compromised his relationship with God for riches and earthly honor. To obey God is better than riches and honor.
A man who is having a right standing with God can never be conquered by anybody. Balaam recognized and confessed the futility of any sorcery against the people of God.
But compromise drives away the presence of God, makes a man a piece of bread, and gives the enemy an occasion to strike. Therefore, take heed.
Memory verse:
Numbers 23:19
“God is not man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?”
Daily Devotional Guide:
Monday: King of Moab afraid of the children of Israel.
Numbers 22:2-6
Tuesday: Some truths about God’s faithfulness.
Numbers 23:7-10, 19-23, 24:9.
Wednesday: Balaam’s errors.
Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude v. 11
Thursday: Christians should not fear curses.
Numbers 23:8, 20; Proverbs 26:2
Friday: Dangers of compromise.
Judges 16:1-21
Saturday: Dangers of compromise.
Numbers 25:1-9; Proverbs 1:10; Ephesians 4:27