As we draw closer to the end times, many people will live with the same mindset which Balak displayed in this chapter. Our response must be that of Balaam’s:
1. I must do the Lord’s will and not man’s will.
Num. 23:7-8 “Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?”
2. I want to identify myself with those whom God is blessing.
V9-10a “For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel?”
3. I’d rather die in the will of God than receive the pleasure of man.
V10b “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!”
4. I know God’s word is unchanging truth which is NOT predicated on changing times, circumstances, or other peoples’ perspectives.
V13 “And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.”
5. I believe God is also unchanging and not influenced by man’s whims.
V19 “God is not a 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?”
6. I can only do that which God’s word allows me to do.
V20 “Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”
7. I will NOT compromise the truth of God’s word!
V25-26 “And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?”
LESSON - We see many people today already developing an obstinate spirit regarding the Christian life. Their attitude is “I will choose to believe what I want to believe because I am going to do what I want to do. Therefore, if you will not say what I want to hear, I will go find someone who will.” This attitude falls in line with what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” We must take a stand for the uncompromising truth of God’s word! You may lose a relationship or two, but you will save others from the repercussions of unbelief.
~Mike