KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 23:8 “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?”

God put words in the mouth of Balaam to say to Balak concerning the children of Israel. He said “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? Or how shall I defy whom the Lord has not defied?

Balaam was revealing a great truth about the children of God. Our Lord Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law.  “We have also been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. There are some Christians who are constantly living in fear because they believe somebody can cast a spell on them at their work place or some other aspect of life. The scriptures said the Christian in Christ is blessed. You have been blessed by God and can’t be cursed

On the flip side, we have seen some Christians experiencing the effect of curses. Why does this happen? A causeless curse will not stand (Proverbs 26:2). Curses prevail because children of God might have created a door way for them.  Psalm 11:3 says if the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do? Our foundation is our right standing with the Lord. We have a right standing or are justified when we believe the truth. Wrong believing means wrong foundation. An improper application of the truth can make you vulnerable. Walking in disobedience to the word of God can allow the enemy to have a hold into your life.

In numbers 28:19, Balaam repeated the message the Lord gave him for Balak, he said “God is not man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. Has he said and shall he not do it? Or has he spoken and shall he not make it good? The lord by this message was revealing who he was. The Lord declares he is not a man who may change his words. He is a Spirit with absolute power. He has the ability to do whatever he says. He does not only have the ability but so long as he says it, it must be counted done. If He says it then it will come to pass. God is absolutely dependable. The Lord was telling Balak to stop demanding a change of His mind. His promises are yes in Christ Jesus.2nd Corinthians 1:20. This statement should be an encouragement to anyone who has put his trust in the word of God. If God said it, then it is done. Your declaration is, God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. Amen.

CONFESSION

I believe whatever God says. So long as I believe, I have that which I have believed, because he that believes has what he believes.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jeremiah 1:12 ” Then said the LORD unto me, thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 ” For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 22:38 ” And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.”

Balaam finally went and met with Balak. Now listen to what he says “”Numbers 22:38 “, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

 Balaam was deceiving himself. So long as he had been disobedient to God and left his house to go, he couldn’t ultimately resist the temptation to do what Balak was requesting. Listen to this quotation. “it is easier to say, I will not go, than to go there, and say, I would not do it”. So long as you knew what was in the offering and you responded, falling is inevitable. Young girl, don’t deceive yourself that you would visit the guy whom you have not married at the night hour, sleep in his room, and nothing would happen. You would definitely fall for sex. The best preventive way is to stay away, period!

In verse 40 Balak offered oxen and sheep to Balaam. These offerings will corrupt every moral integrity. Integrity is like a quality of pure water, it can easily be corrupted by the little impurity you allow into it . Everyone can be corrupted if you do not insist on your grounds of integrity. A husband may get corrupted into infidelity if he does not stand up to stop the advances of a seductive woman. The same goes for a wife who will not put it straight to a man who may be making undue advances with gifts and kind utterances.

Most African nations have been brought where it is financially today, because of men and woman who have allowed covetousness to engross their hearts. Balaam did not concern himself with the way of God but was overtaken by the deceitfulness of riches. ‘ The monkey that plays around banana would finally take and eat’

In numbers23:3 Balaam asked Balak to build seven alters and placed a bullock on each alter. He told Balak “stand by the burnt offering and I will go, peradventure the Lord will come to meet me and whatever he shows me, I will tell you.” Balaam was amusing himself that these seven sacrifices could   appease God and change his message. No amount of sacrifice can change God from what he has said. Nothing changes Him. Even fasting does not change the will of God. It would only humble us and prepare us to be able to receive what God has already intended to give us.

PRAYER

I pray for all children of God to understand that, God is only moved by His own words, and therefore, they should seek to please Him, by doing what He has said.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

James 1:13-14 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 22:20 ” And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.”

Our key scripture says the Lord asked him to go with them but not to curse them. Had the Lord changed His word from what He said in the beginning? No, He can’t change His word. He responded to the insistence of Balaam. God will not stop a person from doing what he desires to do. This person would always be accountable for his actions.

The verse 21 says and Balaam rose up and saddled his ass and went with the princes of Moab. Now read the next verse “And God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against Him……” Please get this information one more time: God would not and never change his first instruction”.

The angel of the Lord stood on the way but Balaam the seer could not see, rather it was his ass that saw the angel. Spiritual gifts are given by the spirit of God. When Balaam became disobedient, his spiritual senses were deemed and rather that of the ass which was not supposed to see the things of the spirit saw the angel and decided to stop.

Why did the Lord even open the eyes of the donkey to see the angel? This was purely an act of mercy from the Lord. God chose to be merciful to Balaam and not slay him. You may not have that, if you decide to be blatantly disobedient to the Lord.

Balaam should have restrained himself when he heard a dump donkey speaking with the voice of a man. Many times, God out of mercy gives us signs to desist from the path we may be taking, yet most people, like Balaam become careless. The angel finally opened his eyes to see him. He asked him to go with them. The question is was this the will of God? Definitely not, it was not His will. Balaam after seeing the angel, should have decided to go back. Why was he so adamant? His heart had been taken over by the spirit of covetousness. The love of money, which is the root all evil, had blinded him such that he could not know wisdom. Do not allow the love for money to drive you crazy. Matthew 6:24 ” No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”.

Any action contrary to God’s first instructors, is sinful and will put you in error. Never attempt to make God change His mind concerning an instruction, He has given to you.

  PRAYER

I pray for all children of God to be very wise to obey God’s instructions promptly.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Isaiah 66:3 ” He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.”

1 Samuel 15:22 ” And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Numbers 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

When Balak’s men told Balaam what they wanted him to do he said he will contact God and bring them word from the Lord (Vrs 8).

The Lord asked Balaam, “Thou shall not go with them, thou shall not curse the people for they are blessed God gave him two instructions.

1. Thou shall not go with them.

2. Thou shall not curse the people.

King Balak, when he was told that Balaam would not come to him, decided to send more honourable men. He said “For I will promote you unto very great honour and I will do whatsoever you say unto me; come and curse this people”. Numbers 12:17…… Balaam said he would not go even if they gave him a whole house filled with silver. In spite of his answer he asked them to wait so he could consult with God if He would change his mind.

Why was Balaam showing a double standard? Balaam actually was being enticed by the gifts and opportunities Balak was offering him. Many children of God compromise their faith and stands because of the riches of this world and the rewards of iniquity. A great number also compromise their commitment because of other beggarly things of this world. Remember what the Lord said. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”. (Matthew 6:33) “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”.

 Please note: God does not change what he has said. (Malachi 3:6, Num 23:19). He may appear to change what he has said when you insist on going on to do the contrary. When the Israelites wanted a king, Samuel told them the Lord said no! They insisted and He gave them Saul. Saul was a total failure.  God has given all men a free will, and will not stop our wills, but we are accountable for what we use our wills for. Do not fight with God over his will for your life. His will is that which is perfect for you. If you insist on your own way, you enter into his permissive will. In the permissive will of God, He is not bound to honour His word. Anything can happen to you. 

 There are some young men and women who wish to marry certain people, but the Holy Spirit says no. These people keep pestering God to accept. God will permit your desire, yet be sure that, you would come back with bruises and pain.

PRAYER

Oh Father, touch your children to reverence your will for their lives. In Jesus name we have prayed.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Romans 12:2 ” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.

Mark 4:19 ” And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 22:6  ” Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.”

The children of Israel settled close to Moab. The king of Moab, Balak, knew what Israel did to the Amorites. He felt there was no way he could over power them. He knew that the only way to overcome them is to bring Israel under a curse. (A curse is to be empowered to fail).  It is an evil influence that compels one to fail. A curse can only prevail in the life of a child of God, when he or she falls out of favour or goes out of the will of God.

Balak sent men to Balaam with the price of divination so he could put a curse on the children of Israel. The name Balaam means a destroyer or a “glutton”. Balaam had the knowledge of God and had the ability to prophecy yet it was not an act of devotion unto God but a means to do business. It was purely a commercial venture. These days many people have made merchandise out of the gospel. Judas did same and ended up being destroyed. Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinth. 9:18 as follows “What is my reward then? Verily that when I preach the gospel, I make the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. It is wrong for any minister to demand money before ministering the grace of God in any form to a person or group of persons.

All that Balak and Balaam were negotiating was happening without the awareness of the children of Israel. Psalm 11:2-3 says “For Lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do? “. What is the foundation of the righteous? It is the right relationship with the Lord. Living according to the word of God always. This is the foundation of the righteous. Your right standing with God is always by believing what God has said. If you believe something different from what the word has said, your foundation is destroyed, and the evil one would succeed in shooting at the righteous in his heart. One major mistake of a lot of children of God is that they make doctrines or believes out of the experiences of people which may not be in agreement with God’s word. Always let your foundation or assurance be what God has said and no evil power can harm you.

CONFESSION

God’s word is my sure foundation for my perfect stability in life. I cannot be moved or disturbed as I stand on the word of God. Nothing Satan or his agents may do, which can affect me in anyway, for I am safe on God’s sure foundation.

FURTHER STUDIES:

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Romans 10:10 ” For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confess…

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21:6 ” And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”

(Read Numbers 21:1–35)

Numbers 21:4 reads “And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea to compass the land of Edom and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. “To compass means to go round”. They went round the land of Edom. They were not going forward. They failed to learn the lessons of obedience and trust, and so they could only mark time at one point, to make them learn their lesson of obedience and trust

 Lack of advancement in life is almost always a sign that one is living outside the will of God. The scriptures say the carnal minded is enmity with God, for it is not subject to the law of God; neither indeed can be.  It is not God who caused the lack of advancement and fulfillment in their lives. It was their attitude to refuse the word and way of God that kept them going in circles. What a pain to live by the flesh.

 Numbers 21:6 reveals that the Lord sent fiery serpents into their midst and they killed a great number of them. The proper way to say the above statement is that, the Lord allowed fiery serpents into their midst and it killed a great number of them. Satan has always sought to attack and destroy mankind. It is the power of God that restrains him. When a people walk out of the will of God, He lifts His restraining power and the enemy has a fields day.

These people cried unto Moses to call on God to take away the serpents. Moses did as he has always done. Moses never for one moment refused to intercede on the behalf of these Israelites, although they constantly offended him. Be patient with all men. The Lord did not take the serpents away but asked Moses to make a brazen serpent and put it on a pole. He asked him to tell the host that anyone who was bitten must look at the brazen serpent and be made whole. Anyone who looked was healed. This event depicted the work of our Lord Jesus on the cross. The Lord told Nicodemus that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so would he be lifted up. (John 3:14). Jesus was lifted on the cross and anyone bitten with sin should turn to Him. There is much power on the cross to break the power of the devil whether it be sin or sickness. The lamb will save any condition that is destroying any man. All you need to do is to believe on Him who died for our sins and carried away our sicknesses in His body. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

 PRAYER

Lord Jesus I accept the offer of your sacrifice, taking away my sin and sicknesses through your death. In the name of my Lord Jesus I am free from every control of the devil.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 3:16 ” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:18-19 ” He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 20:8  “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”

In the course of the journey of the children of Israel they got to the desert of Zin. This was a place without vegetation and water. Once again, the children of Israel started murmuring, against Moses. They complained about a lot of things asking for water to drink on a desert

Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle of meeting and prostrated before the Lord. The presence of the Lord descended and He spoke unto Moses. The Lord asked him to take his rod, get to the rock and speak to the rock to give out water. Moses did as the Lord commanded. He went with the congregation and the rod of the Lord in his hands. When he got to the rock, he said “….ye rebels must we fetch you water out of this rock”. He then lifted the rod and smote the rock twice. Water gashed out of the rock and the people drank.

Although water came, out for the people to drink, the Lord was not pleased with Moses. He told Moses, you have not sanctified me before the people and because of this you would not enter the promised land although you would see it.

This was a very sad development to Moses story. He had achieved so much, suffered so much and was poised to enter the promised land but this turn of events. Moses was a very meek man yet the continual pestering of the people built in him an anger and dislike for them. This could happen to anyone if we do not learn to depend on the Lord and cast all our cares and hurts unto the Lord. Certain marriages or relationships may break up after so many years, and people may not understand why it got to that end. There are hurts that have not been resolved over all these years. If hurts are not thrown away, they would soon create a feeling of pain anytime you see that partner. The only taught that would make you feel satisfied is to get him or her out of your life. Do not keep hurts. Talk over issues and forgive in sincerity. If huts are not properly dealt with, they would always result in a violent reaction, causing much pain and destruction.

 The other lesson is that, the end does not always justify the means. Water came but God said he was not pleased with Moses. The Lord asked him to speak to the rock to release water, but he hit the rock twice. Make sure what you are doing is according to divine instruction. Don’t look for results at the expense of due order. The Lord would not break His eternal principles. Fame, money and even miracles does not justify God’s approval. Always remember, not all who say Lord are accepted with him.

 Only those who do the will of God.

 PRAYER

I pray for all marriage couples to learn to forgive in truth and that every child of God would do things according to God’s order.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Timothy 2:5 “And if a man also strives for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully”.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ” Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 16:15 ” And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”

The children of Israel in the midst of their murmurings against Moses decided this time to oppose him without any cause. Korah, a Levite, Dathan and Abiram who were from the tribe of Reuben gathered about two hundred and fifty renown men to oppose Moses and Aaron. They said to them in Numbers 16:3…. “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are Holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Wherefore then lift ye up yourself above the congregation of the Lord”. The scripture said, when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face”. Moses was alarmed at their action and knew these people were calling for trouble. He bowed before them and before God as a sign that they were acting abominably and must stop. Moses was not swift to call on curses on the people. He exercised a lot of restrain. Just consider the fact that he bowed before them. Every leader, especially anointed men whose words are always followed with something spectacular must restrain themselves. Take a clue from Moses.

What will make other leaders oppose a man of God with grace as Moses? These people have been complaining and murmuring since they crossed the red sea. Now they rise up against Moses. They had made up their minds not to consider any mighty work God did. Since they were not considering the dealings of God and his power in their midst, a spirit of destruction rather took control over them. Every child of God must endeavour to reflect over the word of God and yield to the influence of the word. When men ignore the influence of the word of God, He gives them up, to a reprobate mind. (Romans 1:18-35). Everybody, no matter who you are, do not stop giving attention to the word of God, less an evil influence dominates you. (Hebrews 3:13).

Moses was wrought with them because they did not repent. These men were ultimately consumed, as they were swallowed by the earth. Every other person who was associated with them was also swallowed up. In Numbers 16:35 a fire came from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty. After the death of these people the congregation of the children of Israel, said Moses had killed the children of Israel. They were also plagued with a terrible plague, killing about fourteen thousand seven hundred people. Be careful how you speak against God’s delegated authority.

 PRAYER

O father, help your children to respect your delegated authority, and relate with them as you want, in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Romans 13:1 ” Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

1 Peter 2:13-14 ” Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 14:5 ” Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.”

Numbers 14 is a follow-up to the story of the report of the twelve spies to the promised land. Ten gave an evil report and two who were Joshua and Caleb gave a good report.

The children of Israel believed the evil report instead. Why were they prone to believing the negative report than those who gave the positive report? The answer is in verse three “And wherefore has the Lord brought us unto this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a a prey? Listen to what. they said ” God has brought US here to fall by the sword, OUR wives and OUR children” They were inward looking, and so judged God to be planning their destruction. They believed a lie. These people fell to the original deception of the devil. In Genesis 3 Satan speaking through the serpent told Eve in effect that ‘ God does not want you to be like Himself ‘.  This is the root of all unbelief. Believing a lie of the devil

According to John 8:44 Satan is a liar and every word he says is a lie. Revelation 12:9 reminds us that Satan has deceived all men. He has succeeded in making men believe an untruth about God. Well, the root of such a deception lies in placing self before God. Dear child of God decides one’s and forever that you would always place the WORD of God before self. Do not be deceived, GOD IS BOUND BY HIS WORD, AND WILL DO EXACTLY AS HE HAS SAID

These people spoke of returning to Egypt. This was an abomination. This caused Moses and Aaron to fall on their faces. That act was a sign of absolute faith in God and also a demonstration of humility. They fell before the people. Moses was a man of great faith and humility. This was the secret to his greatness. May we learn from his example

The people also spoke of stoning them. These Israelites were so stubborn to the point that, they wanted to stone Moses and Aaron. The bible said the cloud of glory representing God’s presence descended. God will always manifest His glory anytime men stand for Him against the popular view of the multitude that are unbelieving and rebellious. Take a stand for the Lord no matter how much everybody and everything is opposing the word of God. God will not fail you. He will honour his word.

CONFESSION

I believe the word of God. I place God’s word above every situation I face. God honors His word always. His word is a delight to me

FURTHER STUDIES.

Hebrews 13:5-6 ” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”.

Psalms 119:89-90 ” Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Numbers 13:30 “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”

The Lord asked Moses to send leaders from each tribe of the children of Israel to spy on the land that God had promised to give them.

They spent forty days going across the land and afterwards they brought their reports. Ten out of the twelve men said although the land was a good and fertile land, the inhabitants were too great and therefore they must abandon the project. This reaction contradicted what God had promised them, making God a liar. It was a serious inditement on the faithfulness of God. Two men, Caleb and Joshua stood with God and said they could possess the land.

Why these two different positions. One group were approaching the issue in the light of their own physical strength. They had also forgotten all that the Lord did to the Egyptians and the many miracles that He had done in their midst. The other two gentlemen, Caleb and Joshua did not lose sight of what God had done for them and who the Lord was. They did not consider their physical handicaps but fully trusted in the almightiness of God.

The bible said these other ten men brought an evil report. Many of us have failed to obtain many great promises in life because we faced those challenges in our human strength with all the limitations that go with it.

The real issue is, who is God to you? You can do a great good to yourself by taking time to meditate on the word of God as well as on the awesomeness of God. He would always respond according to how you see Him.

Please note that these men who brought the evil reports were leaders of their tribes. One’s knowledge and submission to God is never by titles or position. It is purely an individual affair. Your position or tiles is in the realms of men, your faith or trust in God depends on your response to His word.. Decide to always exalt God and His word above everything, including yourself and your interests. We are his children and servants as well. We live to bring honour to His name.  It’s His interest that matters. Our glory and blessings are subjected to what brings him glory. It is when we seek His praise and glory always that brings us blessings.

 CONFESSION

My delight is in doing that which pleases Him. I will stand for whatever God has promised irrespective of the opposition that I may face. I possess every promise of God I claim.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Numbers 14:9 ” Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not”.

Numbers 13:30 ” And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”