Passage Read: Numbers 20-23
Meditation Verses: 23:11-13
Thought
What amazes me most about this event is Balak's arrogance in thinking that Balaam himself has authority to curse or bless or that Balaam has power to change the Lord's mind. He rebukes Balaam each time he blesses Israel and Balaam reminds him each time that he can only say what the Lord tells him to say. Balaam affirms that he is merely a messenger, but Balak tells him to try again and again, as if somehow the next time could be different, as if he could offer enough sacrifices to buy God off and change His mind. Balak didn't know or believe God.
Application
How often do I make the same mistake? I keep asking three same things of God, but He has already answered. Sometimes, it is very clear in the Bible what God expects or requires, but I pray as if I could get survival permission to do something different. Or is not clear from the Scriptures, so I pray and pray, and along the way, I get an answer, but not one I like, so I keep praying. The danger of persisting is that God gives me what I ask and I discover why He didn't want to give it to me, because of the pain and suffering and trouble it brings. God made clear to Balaam at the very beginning that the people Balak wanted cursed were blessed, but Balaam didn't make that clear to Balak's representatives. He might have lived if things had ended there. My life might go better if I don't insist on my way with God or with my leaders.