Numbers 22-24 (Balaam)

God has a standing promise to his people, dating back to Abraham. He promises to bless his people and also to bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12:3). In the Balaam story that promise gets put to the test.

The king of Moab has a scheme. He calls on Balaam to curse God’s people. But God will not stand for it. God is so determined to protect his people from the curse that he sends his special warrior—with sword drawn—to stand in Balaam’s way, to give speech to Balaam’s donkey and to turn the curse into a blessing.

Balaam finally curses the king of Moab, prophesying about a ruler of Israel who will one day defeat the enemies of God’s people.

God’s promise still stands today. He is determined not to let us, his people, suffer a curse. He is so determined that he sent his special warrior—his only Son—to stand in our place and take the curse we deserve.

Jesus is the ruler Balaam spoke of, and because of Jesus’ work we do not fear the curse that once was headed our way. Our enemy, the devil, is doomed. None of his schemes can keep us from the blessings of God.