Posted: 4/11/05
BaptistWay Bible Series for April 24
God is working even when we are unaware
Numbers 22:1-6, 22-35; 24:10-17
By Wayne Smith
First Baptist Church, Lamesa
The events detailed in Numbers 22 begin with the Israelites camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho (Numbers 22:1).
The Israelites began the final segment of the journey to the border of the promised land at Kadesh-Barnea, where Moses disobeyed God at the waters of Meribah and forfeited his opportunity to lead the Israelites into Canaan (Numbers 20:12). Nevertheless, he remained faithful to God's direction and led them to Mount Hor. At Mount Hor, Aaron, who lost his right share in the conquest of Canaan by the same disobedient act, died. Aaron's son, Eleazer, is ordained as high priest.
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Numbers 21 continues describing the final leg of the journey. The Israelite army destroyed the Canaanite cities of Arad. Even with a solid victory in hand, the Israelites complained again of the food and lack of water, along with Moses' leadership. God sent venomous snakes that killed many of the Israelites. Moses was instructed to make a bronze snake and set it on a pole. Anyone bitten by a snake who looked at the bronze serpent recovered. The Israelites eventually reached Moab (21:10-20) where their arrival caused great concern. They defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og of Bashan and took possession of their territories.
The Israelites moved into Moabite territory and camped along the Jordan River, across from Jericho. The Moabites were distant relatives of the Israelites. They were descendents of Lot, nephew of Abraham (Genesis 19:30). Though related by heritage to the Israelites, they differed in religious practice.
The Moabites' chief god was Chemosh, and worship of him involved human sacrifices. Although the Moabites were frightened of the Israelites because of the size of their army, they still presented a formidable obstacle to conquest of Canaan.
Numbers 22:1-6
The Israelites arrived in Moab, located just east of the Jordan River valley across from Jericho. Balak, the Moabite king, has heard of the Israelites' defeat of the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og. He sent for Balaam, a famous diviner, to come and pronounce a curse upon the Israelites.
Numbers 22:22-35
Elders of both the Midianites and Moabites visited Balaam with the king's request. God directed Balaam to refuse Balak's request. When the elders returned and informed Balak of Balaam's refusal, he responded by sending a larger delegation that promised great honor and larger payment. Balaam again refused but God directed him to go with the delegation and to “do only what I tell you to do” (v. 20).
Although God allowed Balaam to return with the Moabite delegation, he was angry with Balaam for going to Moab (v. 22). God himself appears to block Balaam's passage three times, something the donkey saw but Balaam did not. Finally, after the donkey lay down with Balaam still mounted and spoke to him, Balaam saw God standing in his way. God told Balaam he was opposing him because his path “is a reckless one before me”(v. 32). Balaam confessed his sin of disobedience and offered to return home. God told him to go ahead but to “speak only what I tell you” (v. 35). Balaam continued his trip with the delegation.
Numbers 24:10-17
King Balak angrily condemned Balaam for failing to place a curse on his enemies after Balaam's curses were converted into blessings. He ordered Balaam to return home and refused to pay him. Balaam responded that reward could not make him ignore what God had told him to do.
In poetic form, Balaam predicted a glorious future for Israel. Prophecy is contained in this oracle: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (v. 17). Fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 2 Samuel 8:2 when King David defeated the Moabites and in 2 Samuel 8:13-14 where David's victory over the Edomites is noted.
God used an unlikely person to achieve his purpose. Balaam was neither a prophet of God nor a leader appointed by him. But God prompted Balaam to issue an oracle of defeat against the Moabites and Midianites and to pronounce a blessing upon the Israelites.
Balaam and Moses, from different backgrounds, cooperated unknowingly in this final phase of the Israelites journey out of slavery into a nation of God's holy people. God spoke to each of these men directly.
Moses, from the moment of his call by God in the Sinai desert knew exactly what God wanted him to do. He directed Moses every step of the way from the burning bush to the plains of Moab. On the other hand, there is no scriptural evidence of Balaam being called by God or that Balaam ever worshipped Yahweh.
God used Balaam at a critical point in Israel's history to show how he can utilize unique events and unlikely people to accomplish his will. Balaam never lifted a hand in the conquest of Canaan, yet he confronted Balak with God's words of blessings upon the Israelites and defeat of their enemies. With God's direction, he prepared the nation of Israel to fulfill God's purpose.
God is the author of history and uses it to accomplish his will. Although Israel did not always recognize God's hand working on their behalf, he was with them. God did not desert the Israelites, although they often disappointed him. Instead, he built a relationship that would make them the most powerful nation in the world. Without the Israelites' awareness, God was moving them toward achievement of his divine purpose–redemption of the world.
Application
When we reach the limit of human understanding and fail to recognize God at work in our lives, we limit our effectiveness as his servant. We must realize that God is always working in our lives, even when we are unaware. While our resources may be limited by our humanity, God's resources are not. We think we must accomplish everything God has called us to do with our own strength. By working as if we are alone, we hinder God's ability to work through us.
Discussion question
What hinders me from allowing God to work in my life?
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