Read Numbers 22:1–12
Questions from the Scripture text: Who did what in Numbers 22:1? Where did they camp? Who saw what in Numbers 22:2? With what result (Numbers 22:3)? Of what were they afraid (Numbers 22:4)? To whom did Balak send (Numbers 22:5)? What does he say has happened? What does he ask Balaam to do about it (Numbers 22:6)? Why does he ask Balaam, specifically? Who do what in Numbers 22:7? How does Balaam respond (Numbers 22:8)? What do the princes of Moab do? Who asks what in Numbers 22:9? How does Balaam summarize what has happened (Numbers 22:10-11)? What two things does God tell Balaam to (not) do (Numbers 22:12)? What reality about Israel does He give as a reason?
How can God’s enemies prevail against His people? Numbers 22:1–12 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s enemies cannot prevail against His people.
Amazing grace. Numbers 22:3 sounds familiar, because the Moabite fear was the same one that motivated the Egyptian oppression of Israel (cf. Exodus 1:9–10). The reason that this is amazing grace is that the generation that frightened Pharaoh has fallen in the wilderness under God’s righteous judgment. When the arc of their engagement with the Moabites concludes in chapter 25, the Spirit will direct our attention to another census in which we discover that the entire generation has been replaced. This isn’t just amazing forgiveness of their sin, but glorious faithfulness to God’s promise (Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 26:4).
Historical grace. Balaam has a reputation for being a true prophet (Numbers 22:6). He hears from YHWH, and only speaks what He says (Numbers 22:8). Several times since Abraham, we have seen God giving knowledge of Himself outside of Israel. Melchizedek (cf. Genesis 14: 18–20) is probably a Christophany. But Jethro was a priest of God, though a Midianite. Now, it wasn’t until Christ bound Satan from deceiving the nations (cf. Revelation 20:3) that the knowledge of God spread generally outside of the Israelites (cf. Matthew 28:18–19). But we see at various key points throughout redemptive history that God gave knowledge of Himself to others for the sake of His plan to preserve Israel and bring Christ through them.
Sovereign grace. We can give some credit to Balak. After seeing what Israel had done to Sihon and Og, he knew that he needed divine intervention. Of course, that is where the credit ends. For, there is only one God, the God Who is determined to bless Israel. Sometimes believers tend to forget this. Some even slip into thinking of Satan as a sort of competing god. But he is not omnipotent or omniscient or even omnipresent—just a creature, infinitely closer to the angels than the Lord. Not to be thought of at all like a mini deity, as if there is some back and forth struggle. No, there is only one God. And that is on display here and throughout the Balaam material. Our God rules and overrules all things. There is no competing power, dear Christian. When the Lord is your help, what can you fear?
This, He also emphasizes to Balaam by the question in Numbers 22:9. It reminds us of Genesis 3:11. As if God doesn’t know who Balaam’s visitors are, or where they came from (Numbers 22:10), or what Balak has said (Numbers 22:11)! Surely, in repeating these things to God Himself, Balaam was meant to understand that God is in total control of all of this.
Enduring grace. The sovereign pleasure of God persists. It cannot be changed. The people are blessed, and that will not change (Numbers 22:12). Indeed, Balaam is not even to try to change it through a curse, or even to go with the Moabites. If God is determined to bless—and who could be more sure of God’s intention to bless them, than those for whom He has given Christ—then blessing shall come indeed.
What sin in your life has God not only forgiven the guilt of, but refused to let destroy you? How has He ordered the events of biblical history so as to bring Christ into the world? How has He ordered the events of history since then, specifically to bring the gospel to you (and thereby to bring you to Christ)? What is there that you are tempted to fear? Who rises up against the church and against your soul? What can they do against God’s sovereign grace? What are some of the precious things you can know that He intends toward you and cannot be prevented?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for Your almighty, faithful determination to bless us in Christ. Grant that we would properly honor You in our hearts, knowing You to be the incomparable, one, living, and true God. Grant that thus we would refuse to fear anything or anyone. And give us to love Your church, which You love—that we would do nothing to harm her or weaken her, and fulfill all our duties to her. Grant this in Your own perfect power and faithfulness we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP56A “Be Merciful to Me, O God” or TPH78 “O My People, Hear My Teaching”
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