A Second Time

O. T. #347  "A Second Time"
August 20, 2014
Numbers 22-Part 1
If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them: but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. Numbers 22:20b

LET IT GLOW

When we don't get the answer we desire from God, what do we do? Do we continue to ask Him for it? Do we want that permissible answer? Even if the thing is not in our best interest? We are not along. One of our main characters in today's story did the same, and he was a pagan prophet. Read on.

Our focus is turned from Israel's conquering the land to two main characters, a pagan prophet called Balaam and king of Moab, Balak.

His oracles reassert the faithfulness of the Lord to the Abrahamic covenant and His purpose to bless Israel. In verses 2-40, the events leading to Balaam's words are recorded. This is followed in 22:41-24:24 with the words of his prophecies and the conclusion in 24:25. (MacArthur)

You will recall that the Moabites were descendants of Lot (Gen.19:36-37). This king had seen how Israel destroyed the Amorites. He didn't know that God forbid Israel from attacking Moab, so he was terrified that the same could happen to him and his people (Deut. 2:9).
Because of this fear toward Israel, Balak contacted the Midianites to join them in an alliance to defeat Israel. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah (Gen. 19:36-37).

Sounds like Balak was afraid his country would be the next victim of Israel's string of victories. He was smart enough to figure out that Israel could not be stopped by military force, so he tried satanic witchcraft of a sort.

Getting back to Balaam, he practiced magic and divination (24:1). He is identified as a false prophet later in Scriptures (Deut. 23:3-6) King Balak knew that Israel was too strong militarily to defeat, so he used a different tactic. Balak called for Balaam to come and curse Israel.

In Hebrew, our word  for curse has two words. Appearing in verses 6 and 12, the Hebrew word arar (aw-rar') means to execrate; bitterly curse. Appearing in verses 11 and 17, the Hebrew word qabab (kaw-bab') means to scoop; malign; stab with words; to execrate; curse. (Strong's Concordance)

What happened?

• Balak sent messengers to Balaam, saying that Israel had too many people and settled next to him.
• Israel was too powerful for him.
• He asked Balaam to come and put a curse on Israel.
• Perhaps then Balak could defeat Israel and drive them out of the country.
• Balak believed those who Balaam blessed would be blessed and those he cursed were cursed.
• The elders of Moab and Midian went to Balaam with a bribe, a fee for the divination.
• Balaam told the bribers to stay the night and he would bring back the answer that the LORD gave him.
• God came to Balaam and asked him who those men were. (As if God needed to be informed.)
• Balaam told God who they were.

What instructions did God give to Balaam in verse 12? Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.

What happened next?

• Balaam told Balak's princes to return to their own country, for the LORD had refused to let Balaam to with them. And they did just that.
• Balak sent more numerous and distinguished princes to Balaam with another message.
• The message included: Don't let anything keep you from coming to me, because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.

What God says goes. He expects us to obey His commands. Some people do not desire to please God but themselves. Did you notice that the evil one was persistent?

Why are we not that persistent to do good, Kingdom work and seeking the Lord?


LET IT GROW

What was Balaam's response?

• Even if Balak gave Balaam his palace filled with silver and gold, he could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD his God.
• Balaam told the messengers to spend the night and he would find out what else the LORD would tell him.
• With a second request and a second prayer, God answered Balaam a second time: Go with them, but do only what I tell you.

As a pagan prophet, Balaam would anticipate making contact with the gods of any people. He did not have a saving relationship with Israel's God. (MacArthur)


I am going to stop right there. Are we as persistent as Balak was? Even when we are sent on a mission by God, do we seek help in achieving His purpose? Do we pray about it like Balaam did?
Are we obedient when God tells us not to go or not to do something? Or, are we obedient when He does tell us to do such and such? Do we speak only what God tells us to speak?

Things to ponder. We will continue this event tomorrow. Be sure to join us.

LET IT GO

Study God's Word so I know what He says to me about specific situations.

If an answer to pray is NO, then accept it.

Go and do what God tells me to do.