Have you ever known in your heart that something was wrong but you asked to do it anyway? Known that God’s Word commanded a certain thing, but rejected that commandment hoping God would change His mind? That is exactly what happened in this account of Balaam from the Old Testament. (Read the Book of Numbers chapters 22-24).
During one of our Wednesday night youth service, the VLB leader, Brother Wesley Hill, brought out some thought-provoking ideas concerning Balaam. God was doing mighty things in Israel and it caused some of the nearby nations great fear…so much fear that the king of Moab thought to get this prophet Balaam to curse God’s chosen people. That king, Balak, used greed as a means to sway Balaam to do what he wanted him to do. Balaam surely knew better, but he asked God anyway! God told him in no uncertain terms not to do it. Balaam sent the princes away who came with the offer. That did not stop the king of Moab , though. He again sent the princes to tempt Balaam with promise of “very great honour.” At this, Balaam agreed to ask God for permission once more. The devil does not give up…he will not stop tempting us to be disobedient to God. Neither did he give up on Balaam…God had already told him “thou shalt not” but Balaam wanted so badly to have permission that he asked again and God allowed him to go.
Numbers
22:12 | And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. |
Though God has given us a free will, there are consequences for being disobedient to the word of God. Again, think about this… Have you ever known in your heart that something was wrong but you asked to do it anyway? Known that God’s Word commanded a certain thing, but rejected that commandment hoping God would change His mind? He won’t. Thou shalt not, still means just that…Thou shalt not.
-[written by Charlotte Dixon-- thoughts from Wesley Hill]
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