Numbers 23

Balaam doesn’t come out immediately and say that the Israelites are blessed. Instead he says, “I will only say what the Lord tells me to say.” It seems that he is trying to walk a fine line, presumably to get paid! But ultimately, Balaam is more scared of God than he is of Balak. Although hired to curse Israel, he blesses them three times (twice in our passage today), and Balak is not amused!

Ironically, Balaam does find a way to circumvent God. He later gives some advice that causes God to turn on His people.

Numbers 31:16 (WEB) “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Yahweh.”

Thought for the day: Balaam’s mantra should be our mantra: “Must I not take heed to speak that which Yahweh puts in my mouth?” God’s Word should guide our thought, actions, and speech!

Psalm 119:41-48 (WEB) “Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word. So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances. So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever. I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts. I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed. I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.”