Numbers 23

“God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill? I have indeed received a command to bless; since He has blessed, I cannot change it.” Numbers 23: 19-20 (HCSB)

Balaam tried his best to curse Israel, to do more than God instructed, or to speak beyond what God put into his mouth.

Why would Balaam continue to angle against the Lord? Balaam was a “for-profit” prophet.

In recent history, Americans have witnessed the advent of the “celebrity defense attorney.” These lawyers generally choose high-profile clients who are clearly guilty. Utilizing courtroom theatrics and a keen understanding of the weak points of the law, they somehow win their clients’ freedom.

When these attorneys study the law, they aren’t looking for ways to serve justice. They are searching for loopholes that will circumvent justice because that’s what their clients pay them to do! Balaam would have made a great criminal defense attorney.  

Balaam’s biggest problem was, perhaps, that he never understood the connection between obedience & blessing. That is because Balaam was driven by money, pride, and who knows what else? He consistently refused to do what God told him to do. He always chose the “seen” over the “unseen.”  Faith is the evidence of things “unseen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Balaam wanted to have a relationship with God, to be able to bless and curse, to be a real prophet—but he never wanted to obey. He wanted all the benefits and none of the responsibilities.

Balaam illustrates a person who has access to the truth, who reads the Bible continually, yet never obeys it. These people have access to and knowledge of the truth, but they are never willing to put it into practice because they insist on doing what they want to do.

It is admirable that you would join me in reading a chapter of the Bible each day. REMEMBER: The benefits of the Bible come not from simply reading but from living out what you read.