“Who can count the dust of Jacob.
or number the fourth part of Israel?
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end be like his!” [1]
King Frederick the Great of Prussia is reported to have once asked his physician to provide proof for the existence of God. The physician is said to have replied to the monarch’s query, “Your Majesty, the continued existence of the Jews.” Without question, the Jewish people have been horribly persecuted throughout history. And God’s Chosen People continue to be persecuted relentlessly today, both by those who are avowed enemies and by those who present themselves as friends of Israel. The whole of history testifies to continued attempts to destroy the people we know as Jews.
Undoubtedly, an argument could be advanced for the persecution of Christians as evidence of God’s existence; but in my estimate, no other group has been persecuted to the extent of the Jewish people throughout history. And yet, the Jewish people miraculously survive. As much as leftists despise Christians, hatred for Israel seems greater still in the minds of the peoples of this world. Squad members in the United States Congress may deviate briefly from one pet concept or another, but they are consistent in their hatred for Israel and for the disparaging remarks directed toward Jews.
News items exposing hatred of Jews—not hatred toward Israel, but hatred of Jewish people—pop up with disturbing regularity. One example of such news accounts is an article entitled, “Jew-hatred is poisoning America’s campuses,” [2] that appeared in my news read in September just as I was beginning my holiday time. The article documents the requirement at one of America’s most prestigious universities for students to read a libelous tome which promotes vicious blood libels against Jews. The book goes so far as to accuse the Israeli military of harvesting Palestinians’ organs and accuses Israel of adopting an official policy of deliberate maiming of Palestinians. The article reports an astonishingly high percentage or Jewish students facing antisemitism directed against them personally. Hatred of Jews did not stop with the defeat or Nazi Germany; in some respects, such hatred seems more intense in Canada and the United States today than it did in Germany in 1935.
Of course, the vile events carried out by terrorists on October 7th can be seen as nothing less than hatred of Jews. When Iranian mullahs and their Shia acolytes, especially in Gaza and now in Lebanon, say, “From the river to the sea,” it is a statement calling for utter destruction of all Jews. The ayatollahs speak of America as “the great Satan,” and they identify Israel as “the little Satan.” They hate Israel, and they hate Jews. That was made clear in the rabid brutality displayed when Hamas slaughtered over 1400 Jews, including mothers and children, pregnant women, elderly women and men, and little babies in their cribs.
And the subsequent demonstrations on university campuses and in the great cities of the west are likewise examples of bitter hatred of the people God delivered from bondage to be His Chosen People. Anti-Zionism is nothing less than hatred of Jews, and ultimately hatred of God Who called them out of slavery.
Hatred of Israel is not some new phenomenon discovered only in the last century. Almost immediately after Israel had been delivered from Egyptian bondage, the people were led through the wilderness as they followed the LORD’s leadership toward the land that He had promised, arriving in the territory occupied by Moab. In Scripture, we read, “The people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel” [NUMBERS 22:1-3].
Take note of the fact that Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. You know very well that fear can be a potent motivator, but you also know that fear can blind us to the ability to think rationally. Motivated by fear, we can act irrationally rather than acting with wisdom and forethought.
Canadians witnessed the power of fear recently. Governments in North America, in Australia, throughout Europe, and throughout much of Asia used fear of an unseen virus to coerce people into acting irrationally. Powerful people used fear to compel people to restrict social interactions, including shutting down churches and closing beaches. Those same powerful interests instituted mask mandates and compelled people to participate in an experimental drug program, or risk losing their livelihoods. Fear motivated nations to act against reason to institute rules and regulations that were irrational and worse than useless. Fear became the basis for Canadians and Americans to surrender freedoms. Apparently, we forgot the stern words penned by Benjamin Franklin, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” And our government still attempts to use fear to compel people to accept a new jab which will supposedly protect against new variants of the covid virus.
Christians should always be cautious about embracing a message that depends on fear. We are specifically informed, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” [2 TIMOTHY 1:7]. Whether in the realm of the physical or in the realm of the spiritual, the one who follows the Risen Saviour must never permit herself or himself to be motivated by fear. Unfortunately, we live in a world that appears easily manipulated by messages of fear generated by governmental bureaucrats, eagerly delivered by news media and through social media. We must not permit ourselves to be stampeded by fear, thus playing into the hands of those pitiful individuals who imagine they are our betters. We who follow the Christ must be calm, knowing that our God is in control of all things. With the Psalmist, we can say,
“I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies
and from my persecutors!”
[PSALM 31:14-15]
In our text, Balak was motivated by fear to attempt to destroy Israel. The king didn’t want to attack them directly, but he determined to use divination to destroy the people whom God had just delivered from slavery in Egypt. Though Balak didn’t understand Who he was fighting against, he would soon learn the reality of God’s blessing on His people, for the LORD promises His people,
“‘No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,’ declares the LORD.”
[ISAIAH 54:17 NASB95]
Moab’s effort to circumvent the blessing of the Living God didn’t work out quite as the leaders of that benighted nation had hoped. The lesson before us merits exploration as we endeavour to honour the Lord God through living boldly in a world regulated by fear.
A SEER FOR HIRE — God does not always act according to our expectations. Though such a statement sounds enigmatic, and may even appear somewhat offensive, this is what I mean. Balaam was considered to be a prophet; though He wasn’t Jewish, he does appear to have been on speaking terms with God. Was Balaam saved? That is not for me to say. He did have the reputation of one who spoke with God, and we discover that He was on speaking terms with the Lord—sort of. He was reputed to communicate in a measure the will of the LORD to the people of that day.
Who is Balaam? We know nothing of him before he is introduced in the text for today’s study. There are a few aspects concerning his life that are suggested in Scripture which may help us understand who he was. Balaam is identified as a “diviner” in the Word of God. It is evident that Balaam enjoyed a degree of renown in the ancient world during the days when Israel was wandering in the wilderness. This brings up a significant issue that must be addressed in order to understand who Balaam might be.
Nowhere in the biblical account is Balaam identified either as a prophet or as a seer; and that is significant. Balaam was noted for practising divination; he was a man who divined the will of the gods through manipulative means and he is identified as such in JOSHUA 13:22. Bear in mind that a diviner plied his calling for money. Drugs, music, and emotional frenzy were the stock in trade of the diviner as he or she sought to imply discovery of the will of the gods. The diviner would resort to sorcery, augurs, or omens as evident from this verse: “[Balaam] did not go, as at other times, to look for omens” [NUMBERS 24:1].
We are introduced to this man as “Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw” [NUMBERS 22:5]. Pethor has been identified with Pedru listed in the topographical lists of the Egyptian king Thutmose III and with Pitru, a city listed in the military itinerary of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III. The city is traditionally identified with Tell el-Ahmar on the west bank of the Euphrates River. [3]
It is not possible to say how Balaam became acquainted with the LORD God or with God’s covenants with Israel. That Balaam was familiar with the Name of the LORD God is obvious from his response to Balak’s messengers. Balaam responded to the messengers’ invitation, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me” [NUMBERS 22:8]. It should surprise no one that when Balaam attempted to employ magical arts against Israel, he was thrown into conflict with the Living God. Consequently, the diviner would find himself under the control of Yahweh—the LORD God, Who debarred him from attempting to pronounce a curse against God’s chosen people. In fact, even before leaving Pethor, Balaam had to seek God’s permission even to accompany Balak’s emissaries [see NUMBERS 22:7-20].
When Balaam at last arrived and Balak pleaded with him to curse Israel, Balaam was actually quite circumspect in his response to the king. The diviner covered himself, saying, “Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak” [NUMBERS 22:38]. The next morning, Balak took the diviner high up on a mountainside where he could see a portion of the people. There, the king sacrificed oxen and sheep. Though we are not told to whom he sacrificed these animals, we can speculate that he sought the blessing of Chemosh, national god of Moab. Then the king urged the diviner he had hired to curse Israel.
Urged on by Balak, Balaam pronounced a series of four oracles concerning Israel [NUMBERS 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 15-24]. That particular account makes it apparent that Balaam is surprised that he receives these oracles. He was attempting to manipulate the LORD God, offering multiple bulls and rams, even though the beasts he presented were not his own animals. Nevertheless, He clearly sought to coerce God through these offerings, as revealed when he said, “Stand beside your burnt offering and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me and whatever He shows me I will tell you” [NUMBERS 23:3].
It would appear that Balaam was seeking permission to enrich himself through cursing Israel. Instead, we read that God did meet him, “And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth” [NUMBERS 23: 5]. This happened a second time [NUMBERS 23:16]. Each time the diviner returned with an oracle that spoke of blessing. There would be no attempt at manipulation the third time, instead we read, “When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him, and he took up his discourse” [NUMBERS 24:1-3].
Though the king was enraged, Balaam would deliver yet one further oracle. The exchange leading up to that oracle is merits careful consideration. “Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, ‘I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honour you,’ but the LORD has held you back from honour.’ And Balaam said to Balak, ‘Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, “If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak?” And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days’” [NUMBERS 24:10-14].
For this brief period, despite attempting to function with what was for him familiar divinations and augurs, though he is not identified as a seer, he nevertheless functions as a seer. That he is functioning as a seer becomes apparent in the opening words of his third oracle. Balaam appears surprised at what is happening when he says,
“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling down with his eyes uncovered.”
[NUMBERS 24:3-4]
Again, he appears to be startled, struggling to find a way to resist God’s intervention in order to secure the promised riches for pronouncing a curse.
What was said in the third oracle is iterated in the fourth when Balaam says,
“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of the Most High,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
falling down with his eyes uncovered.”
[NUMBERS 24:15-16]
The same sense of bewilderment, of astonishment is apparent from what is said as Balaam begins delivery of this particular oracle. After this, he delivered three additional brief oracles. Though these oracles are not said to have been given by the LORD, it appears obvious that the Spirit of God compelled Balaam to speak of what lay ahead.
I believe it is fair to say that Balaam knew of God, though it is difficult to say with any degree of certainty that he knew God. The LORD is God of all the earth. After the Flood, the descendants of Noah all knew the LORD was God. As in our own day, with the passage of time people moved away from worship of the LORD God. It is possible that Balaam retained a fragmentary knowledge of the True and Living God; and though he practised divination, he knew of a God who was above all gods. This would not be unlike the situation in multiple cultures. I’m always struck by the Norse mythology that spoke of the gods and the frost giants, and yet behind Odin, Thor, Freyja and, Óðr stood a shadowy figure known as Allfather, appearing to refer to the God of Creation. Comparative religion studies demonstrate that this is not an exception among ancient religions. Mankind had forgotten God, though a rumour of God lay buried deep within their collective memory. I suggest that this is likely to have been the case with Balaam.
Though I cannot affirm Balaam’s salvation, I will say as I have of many people who are offended because I will not affirm their claim of salvation, “I can only assess what I see.” Of Balaam, I would simply ask, “What is there in his life to make me imagine that he is saved?” Neither one’s statements of love for the Saviour nor the profession that one makes will demonstrate whether one is saved or lost. Know that the life lived to the glory of God reveals the presence of God’s Spirit.
The question that must be posed to us is whether we possess that eternal life. If we do possess that life, are we walking in the company of the Saviour? Or are we fighting against Him? Let each of us determine whether we have faith in the Son of God, living as redeemed people to Christ’s glory. He gave His life as a sacrifice because of our sinful condition. Though He was buried, He conquered death, rising from the tomb for our justification. Thus, we declare, if you openly agree with God that “Jesus is Lord,” believing with all your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be set free. It is with the heart that one believes and is made right with the Father and with the mouth that one agrees with God and is set free. Our prayer is that each one listening this day has this freedom that is found in Christ alone. With the Apostle and all the saints we testify, “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” [see ROMANS 10:9-10, 13]. Amen.
Why spend all this time talking about Balaam? I mean, after all, he doesn’t seem to have been a godly man. It does appear obvious that he was intent on doing what he wanted rather than doing what would honour the Lord GOD. Well, though it is likely that his message was not one he had hoped to speak, he is nevertheless the one who delivered the words of the Living God. I am always interested to know who is speaking and what the qualifications of that one may be qualifying them to deliver the message they are bringing. This holds true in the present day, just as it does as I read what is recorded in the Word of God. The fact that the Living God would speak through this man, though he was obviously motivated by visions of wealth rather than being motivated by a desire for truth makes it important for me to know something about him.
GOD STEPS IN — The dangerous thing that arises from an individual making the claim to speak on behalf of God is that when one does so, that one gives God liberty to inject Himself into the present situation. To be certain, God can inject Himself into any situation, but whenever one purports to speak for Him, God is given special freedom to inject Himself into the situation. No one should be surprised when God does insert Himself into our life when we open ourselves to His reign by purporting to speak on His behalf, because the Lord GOD will almost assuredly insert Himself into the situation. Certainly, that was the case with Balaam. This diviner allowed people to think that he had a private inroad into the mind of the LORD, with the result that God was prepared to step in when the diviner attempted to capitalise on his “expertise” to enrich himself.
The king of Moab should have been tipped off that things were not going to work out precisely as he imagined when he paid the price for Balaam to deliver his first oracle. Actually, none of the oracles would prove to be what Balak thought he would get. Balaam had Balak go to a rather great effort at considerable cost in order for him to divine a word from the LORD. Balak was commanded to build seven altars, preparing seven bulls and seven rams to be offered on those altars. Then, Balak was commanded to stand beside his altars on which the offerings had been burnt while Balaam climbed to the heights above the altars. There, the LORD commanded Balaam what he was to say.
I find it fascinating to note how the holy text reads. Reading the Word, we see, “The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, ‘Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak’” [NUMBERS 23:5]. Balaam had no choice about what he was to say, for the LORD compelled him to speak, even giving the diviner the precise words he must speak. Thus, Balaam spoke,
“From Aram Balak has brought me,
the king of Moab from the eastern mountains:
‘Come, curse Jacob for me,
and come, denounce Israel!’
How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?
For from the top of the crags I see him,
from the hills I behold him;
behold, a people dwelling alone,
and not counting itself among the nations!
Who can count the dust of Jacob
or number the fourth part of Israel?
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end be like his!”
[NUMBERS 23:7-10]
No wonder Balak was upset. Upon hearing Balaam’s prophecy, the king exploded, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them” [NUMBERS 23:11]. It is apparent that the king held the opinion that he would manipulate God, and Balaam had done nothing to make him think otherwise. The king had spent a considerable sum to get the result he wanted, and after all his effort he heard Balaam pronounce a blessing on Israel rather than a curse!
Consider the blessing that Balaam had just pronounced and you begin to understand Balak’s consternation. Balaam confessed that he was “hired” to curse Israel. Then, having made this confession, he asks,
“How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?”
[NUMBERS 23:8]
People ask God to damn someone or something; but it does not lie within the purview of any mere mortal to compel God. Among the Psalms is a startling statement to this effect. In the 109th Psalm as David focuses on one who betrayed the king.
“He loved to curse—may his curses return upon him!
He took no delight in blessing others—
so may blessings be far from him.
He wore curses like a garment—
may they enter his inner being like water
and his bones like oil.
May those curses wrap around him like a garment,
or like a belt that one always wears.
May this be the way the LORD repays my accuser,
those who speak evil against me.”
[PSALM 109:17-20 ISV]
The Psalmist entrusts cursing into God’s hands, asking that the individual in question would be treated as he obviously loved to treat others. The Psalmist is speaking of people, and especially one unnamed individual, who returned cursing for the blessings which David showered upon him. But the curses of the wicked man were not simply ineffectual, they were returned upon the head of the one who cursed. Now, that is truly intimidating. Be certain that your curses will be held against your own person!
Ultimately, Balak would learn, as did the Psalmist David, that God upholds those whom He favours. Listen to how the Psalmist concluded this 109th Psalm. We witness David as he pleads with the LORD,
“I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
when they see me, they wag their heads.
“Help me, O LORD my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love!”
[PSALM 109:25-26]
David pleads for God’s intervention, and at last testifies the LORD heard his cry for help. The wicked curse as though they hold the power to condemn anyone to eternal separation from God’s mercy. But you know very well that no mere mortal holds such power. And the Psalmist forces us to confess the truth that God takes note of all such efforts to usurp His prerogative.
David concludes this Psalm, which is in fact a prayer for the LORD’s intervention, speaking in this manner,
“Let them know that this is your hand;
you, O LORD, have done it!
Let them curse, but you will bless!
They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!
May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!
“With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”
[PSALM 109:27-31]
David prays for God’s glory, which will be made evident when the LORD blesses His people. Then, David speaks of his confidence in the LORD, knowing that God will act powerfully for His own beloved saint. Know this, people of God! The Lord GOD stands at the right hand of the one who looks to Him. And the LORD will deliver His child out of the hand of those who seek to destroy His beloved child. Because you are His child, and because He loves you, the True and Living God is always your Defender. Let the Name of the LORD our God be praised for the deliverance we are given as we rest in Him.
Balaam wanted to succeed in fulfilling the king’s request; he wanted to enrich himself. Like so many preachers witnessed climbing the denominational ladder today, Balaam longed to make himself a person of note. He had a reputation as a diviner, but his reputation had not yet lined his pockets with gold. The call from Balak held the promise of making the diviner rich. Now, the possibility of wealth was slipping from his grasp. He had to find a way to curse Israel if there was to be any hope of enrichment.
Balaam was not shocked that God spoke with him, though it does seem that he was surprised at the answer he was given. Perhaps we could detect a bit of surprise at the blunt manner in which God turned the seer away from even pursuing evil against Israel. But the stern answer delivered by the Lord was not enough to keep Balaam from trying to finagle a curse against the people whom God had delivered from Egyptian bondage.
At last, having failed to curse Israel, Balaam would suggest a way in which God would be forced to damn His people. If they could be seduced into immoral relationships with the women of Moab, ultimately joining their newfound paramours in worshipping the gods of the pagans, the LORD would be compelled to curse His people.
AN UNANTICIPATED SOURCE OF BLESSING — One aspect of God’s blessing for His people is that He often uses those who are opposed to Him to bless His people. That was the case when Balak attempted to hire Balaam to curse Israel. Balak intended evil for Israel, and the prophet whom he hired was certainly willing to sell whatever integrity he may have possessed in order to go along with the wicked request of the pagan king.
When Joseph’s brothers imagined that he would take revenge on them after the death of their father, they appeared before Joseph with what was surely a concocted story pleading for mercy. The account is recorded in the final chapter of Genesis. “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.’ So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this command before he died: “Say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’” And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” [GENESIS 50:15-21].
Note Joseph’s confession recorded in the twentieth verse: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph did not gloss over the evil his brothers had done; but he was able to see the hand of God at work even during the dark days arising from having been sold as a slave. His response is nothing less than anticipation of the truth that would be written at a much later time in history when in the Letter to the Christians in Rome followers of Christ would be told, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” [ROMANS 8:28-30].
The final chapter has not been written; but we are confident that the Lord is working in our lives. And what He has begun, He will bring to completion. To you who know Christ, I hold this trust that promises, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” [PHILIPPIANS 1:6].
Do you sometimes feel that the whole world is against you? Well, it is! However, you have been given a great promise to comfort you in the midst of your trial. God promises,
“‘No weapon formed against you will succeed,
and you will refute any accusation
raised against you in court.
This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants,
and their vindication is from me.’
This is the LORD’s declaration.”
[ISAIAH 54:17 CSB]
Among the Psalms is found a verse that speaks of God’s power as He works on behalf of His own beloved people. Listen to what is written by one Psalmist.
“Even human anger praises you;
you will wear the survivors of your wrath as an ornament.”
[PSALM 76:10 ISV]
Those benighted souls who rage against God’s people are raging against the work that God is performing. They imagine that they can strike out at the Lord by striking down His people. God, however, is always working in the life of His beloved people to bring glory to His Name. What the wicked may have imagined was intended to dethrone God will only reveal His grace and His power as He continues working in the life of His beloved child. No one can silence God! After all, has He not declared,
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the sky displays his handiwork.
Day after day it speaks out;
night after night it reveals his greatness.
There is no actual speech or word,
nor is its voice literally heard.
Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth;
its words carry to the distant horizon.
In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun.”
[PSALM 19:1-5a NET BIBLE]
The story is told of an old woman that was known for her constant praise for God and His goodness. A neighbour living nearby was a notorious atheist who delighted in constantly ridiculing this godly, elderly saint. It was a source of constant irritation to this wicked man that the old woman expressed gratitude to God for His provision. She was not in the least reticent in giving God glory for His goodness and for His grace.
Her atheist neighbour decided that he would trick the old woman into giving God glory when God did not provide anything. He would then be able to ridicule her with even greater vitriol; he would expose her as naïve, as simple-minded. Knowing that the old woman had quite a simple diet due to her modest means of providing for her needs, the atheist neighbour decided to secretly place a large bag of groceries and provisions required for her household on her porch where she would find them. He would hide himself, waiting to see what she would do when she discovered what he had provided.
Early one morning he delivered the large bag of goods to her door, knocked at her door to alert her, and quickly hid himself so he could observe what would happen. Of course, when the old woman opened her door she espied the groceries and immediately began to praise God for His mercy and gracious provision.
At this, the atheist jumped out from his hiding place and loudly laughed at the old woman, saying, “Ha, God didn’t give you those groceries; I gave them to you!”
At this, the old woman began to praise God even more vigorously, shouting loudly, “Praise the Lord! Not only has God shown me mercy, but He used the devil’s handyman to deliver what He provided!”
For you who follow the Risen King of Glory, rejoice in the knowledge that your Saviour loves you and that He is always working in your life to ensure that what was meant for evil for you will turn out for good for you and that it will mean glory for Him. I’m so naïve that I accept that the promises my Father has given in the Word were meant for me. When I read,
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises
against you in judgment.”
[ISAIAH 54:17a]
I’m comfortable appropriating this for myself because the LORD didn’t stop there; He continued by including a qualifier that makes it certain that He has given this promise just for me. The LORD continues,
“This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
[ISAIAH 54:17b]
Dear people, this promise is yours if you are serving Christ as one of His redeemed people. Now, doesn’t that give you a reason to shout?
Those evil people who would do you harm because you are serving the Risen Saviour are only advancing His glory. Though their actions may cause you pain at this moment, you may be confident that our God is at work to bring glory to His Name through you. You may be cast into a fiery furnace; but you can be certain that you will not be alone in that fire. One Who appears to be “a son of the gods” will walk with you. You may be thrown into the raging sea; but you know that your God has prepared an unbelievable means of transportation to deliver you to His appointment. When the trials come, you have a promise that cannot be rescinded.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
[ISAIAH 43:1b-3a]
That’s my God! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is my Deliverer, my shield, my Rock, and my Saviour. He is the One Who is coming again to receive us to Himself. He is the mighty God Who shall put down all rebellion and Who shall reign over all the earth. He is the One Who keeps Israel; and He will neither slumber nor sleep. He sacrificed Himself for me. He has conquered death and ascended into Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father. That’s my God! I’m talking about Jesus.
Balaam hoped he could die the death of the upright; he wanted to be counted righteous in the sight of the Lord GOD. But that was not to be! He chose to attempt to treat God as a commodity. He died, to be sure, but it wasn’t the death of one who was upright. In Moses’ account detailing the conquest of the wicked in the land, we read, “[Israel] killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword” [NUMBERS 31:8]. Balaam was killed together with the wicked with whom he aligned himself. He died together with the wicked who opposed God’s people.
To be counted as upright in the sight of the Lord, you will need to be born from above. The Word of the Lord has promised, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” [JOHN 3:3]. To be born again means that one receives Jesus as Master over life.
We read the promise that our Lord has given to all who are willing to be saved, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” [JOHN 3:18].
Again, the promise of God states, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” [JOHN 3:36].
The promise of God Who cannot lie is for each individual who accepts the promise. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” [ROMANS 10:9-10].
Some may protest that this business of salvation is confusing. The Lord has anticipated just such protests by simplifying the message of life, citing the ancient Prophet Joel, who testified, “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” [ROMANS 10:13].
Our prayer for any who hear the message is that Christ is Master over life. I pray that each one who hears me this day will receive the sacrifice of Christ the Lord and know that they shall die the death of the upright. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] Ronald Lauder, “Jew-hatred is poisoning America’s campuses,” New York Post, Sep. 12, 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/09/12/jew-hatred-is-poisoning-americas-campuses/, accessed 13 September 2023
[3] M. W. Chavalas, “Balaam,” Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 2003) 77
