Numbers

Numbers 23: God’s blessing cannot be reversed

Begin in prayer

Before hearing a blessing that no king can reverse, let us thank God for His faithful Word. Ask Him to help us believe what He says and to rest in Jesus.

Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

Psalm 119:90

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to trust Your faithful Word, and show us Jesus, through whom Your saving promises stand secure. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Balak and Balaam offer sacrifices, and God meets Balaam with a word for the king. Balaam blesses the people Balak hired him to curse, declaring that he cannot curse those God has not cursed. Balak moves him to another place and tries again with fresh altars and offerings. God gives a second blessing, saying His word cannot fail and His blessing cannot be reversed. The Lord who brought Israel out of Egypt is among them as their King. Balak tells Balaam to neither curse nor bless them, yet still takes him to another height for one more attempt.

As you read Numbers 23, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God keeps His word, and no one can undo the blessing He gives.

Balak keeps changing the place from which Balaam looks at Israel, hoping to gain a different answer. He builds altars and provides sacrifices, yet God puts His own word in Balaam’s mouth. The first blessing declares a people God has set apart and multiplied beyond counting. The second rests on God’s character, for He does not lie or break His word as people do. His presence among Israel and His rescue from Egypt stand behind the blessing. Balaam cannot reverse what God has done, however much Balak dislikes it. We can trust God’s promises because the One who speaks them remains faithful.

How does Numbers 23 show us that God keeps His word, and no one can undo the blessing He gives?

God’s word governs the blessing Balaam speaks.

Balak brings the sacrifices, but God gives the word Balaam must speak. The first oracle blesses a people set apart and too numerous to count. The king hears the opposite of the curse he wanted.

God’s character makes His promise sure.

People lie and change their plans, while God remains faithful to what He has said. Balak cannot persuade Him to abandon His promise. Balaam has received a command to bless, and no other answer can cancel it.

God’s presence and rescue are His people’s strength.

The Lord who brought Israel from Egypt is with them as their King. His blessing stands beyond enchantment or divination. He speaks victory over their enemies, and Balaam cannot turn that word into a curse.

Memorise

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent.

Numbers 23:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what doubt about God’s word do I need to bring to Jesus?

Balaam says, “He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.” Balak can build more altars or choose another hill, yet God’s promise remains. The Lord who rescued Israel will not lie or forsake His word.

Our own promises have failed, and our sin makes us guilty before Him. Jesus bore the sin of His people on the cross and endured their punishment. He rose again, His saving work complete and fully sufficient for their rescue. God’s faithfulness gives a guilty sinner reason to come.

Turn from the sin that makes you doubt God, and put your faith in Jesus. His promise of forgiveness stands for those who rely on Him. Please do not measure His truth by your changing feelings. The Savior who has paid for sin is faithful, and those who come through Him are safe in His keeping.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God never lies, and His promise of forgiveness belongs to all who repent and trust Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for a faithful word and blessing that no enemy can reverse, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

Luke 21:33

Father, thank You that You speak the truth and keep Your promises. Please forgive our doubts and the promises we break. Turn each of us from sin to faith in Jesus. Help us measure our fears by Your Word, and teach us to speak truthfully because You are faithful. Amen.