“And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and it records events that took place during the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Numbers 23, we find the story of Balak, the king of Moab, who hired a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites. However, instead of cursing them, Balaam blesses them under the divine inspiration of God.
Balaam’s Parable: In Numbers 23:18, Balaam begins his parable by addressing Balak, the son of Zippor, the king of Moab. A parable is a story or illustration used to convey a deeper meaning or spiritual truth. Balaam’s parable contains blessings for the Israelites instead of the curses Balak had hoped for.
God’s Faithfulness to His People: This verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His chosen people, the Israelites. Despite Balak’s attempts to harm them through Balaam’s curses, God intervened and turned the curses into blessings. This demonstrates God’s sovereignty and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants.
Balak’s Frustration: Balak, the king of Moab, sought Balaam’s assistance to curse the Israelites because he feared their growing numbers and their recent victories over neighboring nations. Balak hoped that Balaam’s prophetic powers would enable him to curse the Israelites and weaken their position. However, Balaam’s parables frustrated Balak’s intentions as they proclaimed blessings upon the Israelites.
God’s Control Over Prophetic Utterances: Through Balaam’s parables, we see that God can use even those who do not belong to the Israelite community to convey His message and bless His people. Balaam, although not an Israelite prophet, was compelled to speak what God put in his mouth. This demonstrates God’s sovereignty and control over the words of His messengers, ensuring that His purposes are accomplished.
Application:
- Trust in God’s faithfulness: Just as God remained faithful to His promises to the Israelites, we can trust in His faithfulness to us as His children. He is always watching over us and working for our good, even in challenging circumstances.
- God’s plans cannot be thwarted: Balak’s attempts to curse the Israelites were futile because God’s plans and purposes cannot be hindered by human intentions. We can take comfort in knowing that God is in control, and His plans will ultimately prevail.
- Be open to God’s messages: Balaam, though initially tempted by Balak’s offer, ultimately submitted to God’s will and spoke the blessings that God had given him. We should also be open to God’s messages, regardless of the source, and be willing to align ourselves with His purposes.
Remember to read the surrounding verses and consult additional commentaries or resources for a deeper understanding of the passage.
