God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"The people in question were the Israelites, en route to the promised land. For three chapters (22,23,24) the enemy King Balak tries to get Balaam to curse them, but God will not allow them to be cursed.
Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.'"
But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."
Numbers 22:9-12, NIV*
They are God’s people, and He chooses to bless them.
Then in one chapter (25)—actually verses 1-3 are enough—Israel causes its own trouble.
For me, this is a startling glimpse of God’s perspective. He wanted to do so much for and with His chosen people. He protected them from their enemies, was leading them to a spacious and rich land... and they did the enemies’ job for them!
I wonder what He wants to do in our lives that we’re preventing?
*New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.
© Janet Sketchley, 2010
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.
Janet, Good thought to ponder.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to think about. I like your brevity, too, btw!
ReplyDeletePam