Numbers 22:1-18
Verse 17 “I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”
We have been talking about people who have come into contact with God and their various responses. For the next few days we are going to look at someone who was not of God and yet God spoke to him and used him.
The Israelites were getting closer to the Promised Land and had conquered a few nations already and word was out that they were a people to be reckoned with. What the other nations didn’t fully understand was that God was the One winning these battles for His people. But the fear was there among the other nations and so the king of Moab decides he needs to get some supernatural help. But it wasn’t God who he was seeking. There was a man named Balaam who lived far from Moab but was known for his working with spirits through sorcery and such. The king of Moab sent men to fetch Balaam wanting him to proclaim a curse on the Israelites. But in an ironic twist, God talks to the false prophet and tells him not to go.
The king of Moab was desperate and sent a larger group of even more distinguished officials to sweeten the deal. They offered to pay him very well and gave the king’s word that he would obey whatever Balaam told him to do to bring about the curse.
Now remember that Balaam wasn’t a man of God. He was a false prophet and a sorcerer and yet he denied the king’s first request because of what God had said to him. This wasn’t a man that worshiped the God of heaven and yet he was willing to obey. Why? Because he had also seen the work of God for the mob of people who were traveling and conquering nation after nation. How much would we have to be offered to go against a God who was as mighty as that? On the other hand how often do we turn to someone or something to help us other than God?
Making It Personal
Have you ever been so desperate that you turn to someone or something for help other than God? If God was willing to tell a false prophet what He wanted done, do you think He will make His will known to you? Are you listening for His voice?
Making It Personal Kids
Can you tell the difference between different kinds of birds by their song? Can you tell the difference between your mom and dad’s voices? Why? If you know God you can know the difference between His talking to you and someone else talking to you.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the way You care for us. Thank You for leading both Your people and even those that weren’t Your people so that You could work out Your ultimate plan for Your people. Your ways are not our ways. Teach us Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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