But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the LORD has not condemned?
Numbers 23:8
And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times (Numbers 24:10 ESV)
For there is no enchantment against Jacob,
no divination against Israel;
now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel,
’What has God wrought!’
(Numbers 23:23 ESV)
Journey To Futility
This is a hopeless and useless journey. Who loves to waste time or destroy himself? Nobody.
Any adventure to curse whom God has not cursed is a stupid and useless journey.
Balak is a classic case of a man after another mans life. In this case it was a people – the Isrealites.
The Isrealites are the blessed of the Lord. We are the blessed of the Lord and no one can harm us without God’s permission.
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7
Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on it’s intended victim.
Proverbs 26:2
Balak
Balak was the son of the King of Moab – a prince so he must have been helping his father and ruling with him which was very usual in times past.
He sent messengers to Balaam, a true prophet of the Most High God to get him to curse the Israelite’s so that he would be able to defeat them.
Moab was scared of Israel so they looked for a spiritual way to bring them down. Balak the prince of Moab was so desperate for victory that all he could think of was to go spiritual.
And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. (Numbers 22:3 ESV)
Just like people who love magic and sorcery, Balak tried to play God. For him, it was his will be done. He never wanted any form of resistance that was why he kept sending princes and royals to Balaam.
Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. ” (Numbers 22:6 ESV)
Balaam
Balaam, being a wise and true prophet said he would seek the face of God. He was limited to only to God’s will. He knew he was not called to fulfil mans desires.
The messengers went to Balaam with divination fees. He was even enticed with riches and honour but none moved him. He was not working for money but for God.
False prophets work for money and their only motivation is greed. They get demonic powers to do and undo according to the will of their customer.
These are sons of perdition. They can curse anyone as long as the incentive is there.
Balaam Talked with God
Balaam as a true prophet could not move an inch without God. He welcomed the messengers but sought the face of God for words and action.
And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” (Numbers 22:9 ESV)
Balamm answered God and briefed him about Balak’s request and God told him not to go to Balak.
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. ” (Numbers 22:12 ESV)
Balaam said no to Balak’s messengers, and the messengers gave the reply to Balak, but Balak would not give up.
Balak now sent prices, more in number and more honourable to Balaam all because of his desire to curse.
God told Balaam to go with Balak’s messengers, however God was not happy so he opposed Balaam on the way by appearing with a sword.
To cut the long story short, Balaam went to Balak and instead of cursing the Israelites, he pronounced blessings on them according to the word of the Lord.
“Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.”
Numbers 24:9
Balak was not happy and taunted Balaam about rejecting the honour he offered him.
He did not realise that Balam was of a different breed. He was dead to the flesh and alive to the word of God.
Honour and riches meant nothing – all he cared about was the word of God.
’If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’? (Numbers 24:13 ESV)
If a prophet of the old testament could be this devoted and dedicated, we can also be like that. We can be totally crucified to all else except the word of God.
Lessons Learned
Don’t run faster than God
Don’t play God
Never curse
Total commitment to the word of God is all that matters
Never join hands with another man to harm someone else because of gain
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (Philippians 1:9 NKJV)
That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, (Philippians 1:10 NKJV)
Increase In Love
By examining this scripture we start with Increase in love. This requires prayer, desire and effort. The will is actively involved in love but it is the mind that controls the will.
What do we think about? What thoughts do we entertain? We must not be deceived, God still cherishes purity above all else. Love is pure. It thinks no evil so we must constantly think healthy thoughts in order to increase in love.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:16
The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
Psalm 12:6
God loves cleanliness and any act of evil is dirty in His sight. Love is clean and will always think of the other person and how her actions affect others.
Love is a winner and always wins. It is greater than faith because it never fails. The more we pray for increase in love and meditate on the word of God, the more rooted we will be in the word of God till it takes over our soul. This will cause the fruit of love to overflow.
Love will not speak evil of anyone and it bridles the tongue. Love is lovely and beautiful and anyone who is full of love and purity will shine greater than the stars. He will be a light that will attract people of every race because God will shine through Him and heal others. He will exude and transmit love.
Knowledge Precedes Love
We cannot love without knowledge of what is love. The only way to know what love is is to study the teachings in the word of God.
The summary of the word of God is love, that is why Jesus capped it all by saying, “love your neighbour as your self.” Love is the fulfilment of the law.
Knowledge therefore is knowledge of love and how to love. Any knowledge that does not lead to increase in love and purity is not true knowledge.
Any wisdom that does not exalt love is false wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13 ESV)
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. (James 3:14 ESV)
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:15 ESV)
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:16 ESV)
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17 ESV)
All Discernment
Distinguishing between good and evil is true knowledge. When we get to true discernment we will not waste our time practising the doctrines of men as if they are the doctrines of God.
Lack of discernment also makes believers throw the word of God away for seductive get rich, quick fix doctrines that are rooted in demon worship, idolatry and magic.
It makes believers embrace any shifting doctrine as if it comes from the mouth of God.
For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(Hebrews 5:13-14 ESV)
Approve Excellent Things
We are also counselled to approve excellent things. In order to approve excellent things we must reject evil things and support good things. We must praise, encourage, inspire and motivate others in good things.
Be Sincere
Sincerity implies honesty and truthfulness. We must not put on the mask of Christianity or be false.
Our motives and intentions must come from genuineness not from praise, ego and selfishness. God sees our hearts and knows His true children. The true children are true believers.
Without Offence
To be without offence, we must not offend anyone or God. This implies being blameless and faultless in the presence of Christ.
