Balaam blesses Israel

Numbers Chapter 23

Balaam the sorcerer told King Balak to build him seven altars and prepare seven young bulls and seven rams for sacrifice. After the sacrifice, Balaam said he would go see if the Lord would respond to him and he would relay what the Lord revealed. God met Balaam on a high hill and Balaam went back to the king with a prophecy (see verses 7 thru 10) which basically said the Lord had not cursed the Israelites, instead he blessed them and the descendants of Jacob were as numerous as dust. Balaam said he would like to die like the righteous and let his life end like the Israelites.

The king was furious at Balaam.He thought Balaam should have cursed the Israelites but Balaam explained he could not and would do only what the Lord told him to say. So the king took Balaam to another high plateau and again built altars and did sacrifices. Balaam went to talk to God again and returned with another prophecy (see verses 18 thru 24) in which God tells them he is not a man and would not change his mind like a human. He always carried thru on his promises and would not reverse the blessing on the Israelites. He was the king of his people and no sorcery had any power against Israel.

King asked Balaam to at least not bless the Israelites, but Balaam said he must do what the Lord told him to do.
Finally the king took Balaam to another place on a high mountain and they again built altars and sacrificed.

BIBLE NOTES say that the number seven was sacred among many nations and religions at this time. Balak tried several placed to entice Balaam to curse the Israelites, but a change of scene did not change God's will.

How does this chapter relate to us today? We can move, we can change the scenery, but we cannot escape our problems. In fact sometimes it only makes the matters worse. Instead, we need to change our hearts. We need to pray to God for forgiveness and guidance and he will answer our prayers and help us solve our problems.

Yours in Christ,
Mary