“And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.”
In order to better understand this verse, it’s helpful to provide some context. The book of Numbers recounts the events of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses. During this time, they faced various challenges and encountered different nations. One such encounter was with the Moabites, led by their king, Balak.
In this particular verse, we see Balak, the Moabite king, following the instructions given by Balaam, a pagan prophet hired by Balak to curse the Israelites. Balaam had been initially hesitant to go against God’s will and bless the Israelites instead. After several attempts to curse them, Balaam realized that God’s favor was upon the Israelites, and he was unable to curse them.
In Numbers 23:30, we witness Balak obediently doing as Balaam had instructed him. Balaam had advised Balak to build seven altars and offer a burnt offering of a bull and a ram on each altar. Balak followed this advice, likely hoping that by making these offerings, the curses he desired against the Israelites would be fulfilled.
This verse teaches us several important lessons:
- The faithfulness of God: Despite Balak’s attempts to curse the Israelites, God remained faithful to His people and protected them. This highlights God’s sovereignty and His ability to thwart the plans of those who seek to harm His chosen ones.
- The futility of opposing God’s will: Balak’s efforts to curse the Israelites were in vain. Balaam, as a prophet, understood that he could only speak what God allowed him to speak. It reminds us that no one can ultimately stand against God’s purposes and plans.
- The importance of obedience: Balak’s obedience to Balaam’s instructions demonstrates the consequences of following advice that is not aligned with God’s will. While Balak carried out the rituals on the altars, it did not change the outcome because God had already determined to bless the Israelites.
- God’s ability to turn curses into blessings: Despite the intentions of Balak and Balaam to curse the Israelites, God used this situation to turn their curses into blessings. The words spoken by Balaam, under God’s guidance, ended up blessing the Israelites instead.
Overall, Numbers 23:30 reveals God’s faithfulness, the futility of opposing His will, the significance of obedience, and His ability to transform curses into blessings. It serves as a reminder that God’s plans will ultimately prevail, regardless of the circumstances or the intentions of others.
