Sermon # 48 - Words Of Authority Series

Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 22:6, “They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me. Then perhaps we will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse." (GNB)

Let me give you a brief background to this verse. The people of Israel were led by God, and were moving towards the Promised Land. When the King of Moab heard about their advancement, he was filled with fear. He know that he could not overcome the Israelites who were a mighty lot with his own strength, and hence he decided to do something different. With this in mind he approached the prophet Balaam. Balaam was a prophet of God, who had a special authority endowed on him, wherein, whoever he blessed were blessed, and whomsoever he cursed were cursed. The King of Moab understood that this power to curse and bless rested with Balaam.

In general many have the understanding that to be blessed means to have their own house, vehicle, good job, earthly possessions, so on and so forth. However, the real blessings are in the words of those who have the authority to speak words of blessings or curses, which would have an impact on our lives.

The reasons for Balaam’s authority

One of the reasons for the authority that was bestowed on Balaam can be understood from this verse below.

We read in Numbers 22:8, Balaam said to them, "Spend the night here, and tomorrow I will report to you whatever the LORD tells me." So the Moabite leaders stayed with Balaam. (GNB)

Firstly, Balaam was one who listened to the words of God, and spoke exactly as the Lord commanded him to, and therefore his words had authority.

In Numbers 22:18 we read, But Balaam answered, "Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not disobey the command of the LORD my God in even the smallest matter. (GNB)

Secondly, Balaam was candid that he would not disobey the word of the Lord even if the King gave him all the silver and gold in his palace.

When we are those who stand firm in the word of God, and never disobey what God says, the authority that was in Balaam’s tongue would be in ours as well. If that authority of God remains with us those whom we bless will be blessed, and we will observe the advancements that God would bring about in their lives.

I will place some examples from the bible, and as we study the lives of these people, may we too ask the Lord to give us the same authority in the words we speak.

The words of Elijah to Ahab

We read in 1 Kings 17:1, Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (NLT)

These are the words of Elijah to King Ahab. As a king, we know that Ahab himself had authority and could command anything with his word to those who were subject to him. However, we know that there is a King who is above all kings, the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth. It is only under the authority of that Supreme King, every other earthly king has been endowed with the authority to rule. Elijah was confident and courageous to declare to King Ahab that unless he said so, there would be no rain or even dew on the land of Israel.

Let us study the word to see how Elijah was entrusted with such authority.

We read in 1 Kings 17:5, “Elijah left and did what the word of the LORD [had told him]. He went to live by the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.” (GW)

Though Elijah was a prophet of God who had the authority to speak to kings and in public, the Lord commanded Elijah to go, and live in seclusion by the Cherith River. Observe how there was no hesitation on the part of Elijah, who immediately went in total obedience to God’s word.

We read in 1 Kings 17:7, “But after some time the stream dried up because no rain had fallen in the land.” (GW)

As there was no rain in the land, the river began to dry up. Nonetheless, Elijah waited until he heard the word of God again before he moved.

There are many who think that if they obey God, there will be no problems or hardships or needs. This is not true for we will face all of the above. However, in the midst of this if we remain obedient God’s word will lead us on to the next step. Elijah could have surmised that since the brook dried up, he could move on, and find a way out on his own, but on the contrary Elijah waited patiently for God to guide him.