Chapter 131 of 1163

NUMBERS 23

God did not shut Balaam’s mouth. He let him speak, but He turned the curse into a blessing (Neh. 13:2). Whenever you feel that people and circumstances are cursing you, remember what God did for Israel, and trust Him (Rom. 8:28).

Balaam’s descriptions of Israel remind us of the privileges we have as the children of God. We are safe (v. 8; Rom. 8:31–39) because we are separated from the world (v. 9; John 17:14–16) and belong to the Lord who never lies (v. 19). We have strength like an ox (v. 22) and a lioness (v. 24).

Balaam wanted very much to die the death of the righteous (v. 10), but he did not want to live the life of the righteous. Read Psalm 37:37, Proverbs 14:32, and Revelation 14:13, and contrast Paul’s testimony in Philippians 1:19–23.

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