Scripture:
Numbers 24:10-14 ESV
[10] And 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. [11] Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” [12] And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, [13] ‘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? [14] 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.”
Observation:
So let’s take a quick overview of what has happened. In the last 3 characters, we see Balak doing all he can to get Balaam to speak a curse over Israel he has promised bribes and would not leave him alone. Called him away from his home and took him to several places to get a look at GOD’s people camped in the desert, waiting to attack Balak’s kingdom Balak is worried, as he should be. This is GOD’s people HE has brought them out of Egypt, HE has parted the Red Sea for them and closed its mighty waters over the top of their enemy. GOD has given them victory in battle and their enemies are being defeated every time they stand up and move forward in the will of GOD. Balak sees them as a threat and they are. So he gets Balaam and begs him to curse them. However, Balaam can only speak what GOD the FATHER tells him and no amount of bribe can change that. Now it has all come to a head Balaam has blessed GOD’s people not just once be 3 times and Balak is angry about it. Telling him to go home without anything that was promised. Balaam simply speaks up and says I told you from the start I can only speak what GOD tells me to speak. I can not curse whom GOD has blessed and nothing you say or do can change that. In fact, hear the final word of the LORD. Then Balaam speaks a final blessing over Israel.
Application:
I hope you see these S.O.A.P.s not only challenging but inspiring and uplifting at the same time. Just to be honest all this started because I wanted to be obedient to what my father had told me to do. I was going to put this together and send it out to a few friends and we could talk about what was studied. I only wanted to speak the truth I found in the bible. My FATHER however had a little bit different idea. HE has turned it into something that I never thought of. I just wanted to speak blessings over GOD’s people. I’m sure I have made some people mad and I’m sure others finish reading and say that was just what I needed to hear. But all I can do is say what GOD tells me. I just want to hear HIS voice. I hope it doesn’t offend people but if it does maybe there’s an area you might need to look at. I want my life to be molded and shaped to be more like Jesus and the only way for that to happen is for the truth that is in GOD’s word to be spoken. I can not change it to say what I want it to say. I can not use it to justify the behavior I know is wrong and I can not cherry-pick the fluffy parts and leave what I feel like doesn’t apply. It all applies. We just have to find out how and then make our lives fit the word not make the word fit our lives. GOD’s word is truth like it or not.
Prayer:
Father, you are so amazing. You thought about us, and gave us an instruction book for his to live. Everything about it amazes me for how you put it together over such a long period to the 400 years of silence between speaking about your son and HIM appearing as a baby. I know you just like to blow our minds, and I know you’re not done yet. However, in the meantime, I ask that you protect our words. I never want to say anything that is not your word. I don’t want to take it out of context or use it to justify my behavior I want to love those you send me and speak the truth seasoned with grace to those who you place in front of me. Mold us to be like your son. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen