Numbers 24:1 – 25:18
Notable Verses Numbers 24: 12 – 13
Num 24:12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 13 “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?
Balaam is an interesting character. He is not a believer in Israel’s God, nor is he even friendly to them. A pagan king sends for him to curse Israel using black magic. But he can’t do it. Along his travels, he encounters an angel and the final result we can see above.
Balaam wasn’t a believer and sought out Israel’s destruction. Yet, he is being used by God. This is a difficult and frustrating passage. He was prevented from speaking what he wanted and was controlled at some level by God to be used for his purposes. He spoke what God said to. Despite all of this knowledge, and even spirit-given power, he never bowed his knee.
Luke 2:1 – 35
Notable Verse Luke 2:34 – 35
Luk 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
A blessing with one hand and a slap with the other, as strong as the blessing was, so too was the curse. Jesus did cause the falling and rising of many people in Israel, and interestingly enough it wasn’t the people who you would have expected to rise and or fall. Jesus was spoken against to say the least. His teaching eventually got him killed. His name is still being used as a curse, His words still are spoken against and His believers are still being killed and imprisoned daily. He has for 2000 years shown the hearts of people who encounter Him, either with acceptance or rejection. Mary’s soul was pierced at Jesus’ death, and even before that, Mary must have suffered believing her own son was mentally unstable and revealing her own thoughts in the process.
Psalm 59:1-17
Notable Verse 59:17
O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
Not much to say, but what a beautiful verse on the power, character, and beauty of God.
Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
As we are in the midst of a global economic crisis, I can’t help but apply this verse to the situation. Aren’t we all saying “Who is giving him or her advice?” But that really is the wrong question. Advice and guidance aren’t really the same thing. Advice is usually based on gut reactions and feelings and can be either taken or left, while guidance implies a life-challenging teaching.
Why are we falling? Not because of leaders, but the lack of true guidance and simply running on focus group numbers, gut feelings, “wouldn’t it be nice…?” dreams.
