Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

We are watching a drama being played out. The Israelites have exited Egypt and are on the way to the land of Canaan which God promised to give to them. Indeed God had said to Moses: “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.” (Numbers 13:2). The way to Canaan is not uninhabited however, there are people living in the various territories which are overseen by their kings. As words spread about this approaching mass of people, fear spread among the kings and the inhabitants. The Israelites, led by Moses, began to take territory one by one. The first King to fall was Arad in the Negev, then the Israelites head off for Moab camping at various sites along the way. At the top of mount Pisgah they could see the territory of the Amorites. Messengers were sent to ask Sihon their King to permit the Israelites to pass through but the request was refused. As a result he and his kingdom were taken by force. The kingdom of Bashan ruled by Og was next. The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon.” (Numbers 21:34)

The next scene in this drama is very curious indeed. Balak, the king of Moab is terrified by the news that the Israelites are coming so he sends messengers (with a fee for divination) to Balaam, a man of God with the request: “Now come and put a curse on these people because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed and those you curse are cursed.” (Numbers 22:6) Balaam sought God’s wisdom in the matter and at first was obedient in not going because the Lord told him, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12) Balak sent higher ranking officials next with a promise of great reward. This time when Balaam asked what to do he was told to go but to say and do only what God permitted. Little did Balaam know that God would show his displeasure with the whole thing by letting his donkey rebel, speak to him and delay him! In the final analysis, although Baalam assisted Balak to prepare and offer sacrifices from three different locations prescribed by Balak, God would not allow his people to be cursed. Rather, in Numbers 23 and 24, the Lord affirmed a blessed future for his people and destruction for their enemies. The Holy Spirit assures us:

“I never speak and then not fulfill. That is why I am God. I have the ability to orchestrate change in any set of circumstances so that my children should never doubt that I can deliver and so interrupt the designs of the enemy to wreak havoc in your lives. I am the I AM. I am in charge. My promises are yea and amen.”