Numbers 23:1-26 God’s Covering for Us A. What Balaam Sought
Num 23:11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.
Num 24:10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
B. What Balaam Taught
1. His Prophetic Teaching - He Taught:-
a. The Separation Of God's people 8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
b. The Justification Of God's people 19 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?
c. The Sanctification Of God's people 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! - 9 Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
d. The Exaltation Of God's people 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
2. His Practical Teaching
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
C. What Balaam Wrought
Num 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
God Covers with His Protection - Numbers 23:7-10
1. Balaam sees God’s People Defended - Balaam Could See :- (a) The Source Of Their Blessing (God - Donkey)
(b) The Size Of Their Blessing
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel?
(c) The Security Of Their Blessing
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
(d) The Sufficency Of Their Blessing
10 Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
2. Balaam sees God’s People Distinguished
9 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.
She Has Been :- (a) Claimed (b) Called (c) Chosen (d) Commissioned
Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee,
O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
3. Balaam sees God’s People Delivered
10 Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! What A :- (a) Revelation (b) Request (c) Recognition
Psalm 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
4. Balaam sees God’s People Delighted
(a) God’s Presence gives Peace
19 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?
Peace Based On :-
(a) The Character Of God God is not a man, that he should lie;
(b) The Consistency Of God neither the son of man, that he should repent
(c) The Capability Of God hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
(b) God’s presence gives Pardon 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
Note The :-
(a) Position Of The Tabernacle (Midst) (b) Purpose Of The Tabernacle (Meet with God) (c) Power Of The Tabernacle (Atonement For Sin)
(c) God’s presence gives Purpose
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
(d) God’s presence gives Power
23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
1. God’s Power in us
22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
2. God’s Power for us
23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
3. God’s Power with us 23 according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
(a) The Supervision Of The Work 23 according to this time
(b) The Source Of The Work "God wrought" (Only Explanation)
(c) The Supremacy Of The Work "What"
Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
(d) The Sufficiency Of The Work "hath God wrought"
4. God’s Power through us
24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
