Wednesday - Numbers 23 - The 3rd Time's Not Necessarily the Charm

Balaam’s argument with his donkey makes for some of the best reading in the Bible.  But beyond that, Balaam continued on to King Balak to see if he could persuade God to let him earn some money from the Moabite king. It was not to be. God turned his every attempt at cursing into a blessing (Nehemiah 13:2).

In 3 different locations Balak built 7 altars and offered 7 young bulls and 7 rams… all to no avail. Every time Balaam open his mouth, God filled it with good things toward His elect people.  It didn't matter if they stood on Kirjathhuzoth, Pisgah, Pear or on a mountain of pancakes, there was no way God was going to turn the wishes of the heathen monarch into a reality. However, in the process of Balaam trying to get it done, a whole heap of good prophecies was issued.

Balaam spoke of Israel as the elite people of God (Numbers 23:9). He spoke of their proliferation (Numbers 23:10). He described the grace, mercy and forgiveness that God had aimed at them, and even their role as the nation from whom the Messiah would arise (Numbers 23:21). He referenced (both historically and prophetically) the position of Egypt in relation to Israel and to Israel's famous Son (Numbers 23:22 & Matthew 2:15). He even saw all the way to the end of time when King Jesus will conquer all of His foes utterly (Numbers 23:24). And, he was just getting warmed up. There were more and greater prognostications to come.