A Pagan Believes

Numbers 22-24
 
Numbers 22:18 But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.”
 
THIS account of Balaam in Numbers 22-24 is one of several accounts in Scripture where God interacts with and uses a pagan man to accomplish his will for Israel and for your salvation. As Israel nears the Promised Land, you have read the desert journey was more than wandering. It was also a time for Israel to develop an army. They defended against enemies and conquered territory to reside in villages for a time before their arrival in Canaan. In response to Israel’s strength, Balak, a king in Moab, attempted to hire Balaam, a well-known priest of sorcery, to curse Israel, so they would not threaten Moab.
   Could Balaam really curse people? Scripture tells of people who have some power to affect others’ lives and to prophesy against God. (See Acts 16.) Of course, this is done only with God’s permission. However, as it is today, there are people who pretend to have supernatural powers by using particular language and trickery to influence susceptible minds. This is one way Satan wars against God. Ignorance of God opens our minds to believe lies.
   It is interesting to see how much Balaam knows of God. He understands God is sovereign. Nothing can be or should be done without his permission. I AM then confronts Balaam to prevent his evil mission. Balaam, the pagan, recognized God’s power. He is as the demons who Jesus’ disciples confronted: Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Yes, even the pagan priest Balaam obeyed God and rejected Balak’s generous bribe.
   We in the church today will do well to remember Balaam’s submissive words. The pagan had a proper fear of the Holy God, more-so than many Israelites.
 
A Christian Life
 
Numbers 23:23 “No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against Israel. For now it will be said of Jacob, ‘What wonders God has done for Israel!’”
 
THESE words easily relate to Christian living. Even as Balak continued to entice and demand the pagan priest Balaam to curse Israel, Balaam consistently sought God’s Word first. The Holy Spirit caused him to desire the LORD’s counsel: Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? 20 I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I cannot change it.”  Balaam understands God’s Word is final!
   The Father protecting Israel from pagan influence should comfort and assure us. The world strives continually to destroy God’s church and his children. Trust in the One who has formed and called you into eternal life.
 
Seeing Jesus
 
Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
 
WITH four prophecies in Numbers 24, Balaam spoke Israel’s enemies’ defeat. He also proclaimed an eternal victory: a scepter will rise out of Israel.
   This refers to a king who will come out of Israel to rule the nations. Some believe it relates to David, then goes to Jesus Christ. God used the pagan diviner to declare a ruler from Israel would arise to defeat God’s enemies. One day King Jesus’ scepter will eternally rule.
 
Revelation 19:15b “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 
 
I hope this very brief look at Balaam’s story has helped you see again how God works to defend and strengthen his church today. We must remember his scepter is sure and true for our lives now and forever.