# 33 2026 Dev. Numbers 24. Blessings and Curses. Read all of chapter twenty-four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Nu. 24 Balaam continues his Prophesies.
Vs.1-12 “Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness.” When he saw the camp of the Israelites stretched out before him the Holy Spirit came upon Balaam. At that point Balaam gives up divination. The next two prophecies include an introduction, by Balaam, an introduction that gives him the credit for this prophecy, instead of humility, the donkey experience gave him pride and arrogance. Yet, in the power of the Spirit, God used him to bless the Israelites. The leader, Joshua, is like a lion. “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” This was a promise to Abraham as well. Balak, realizing he was not going to get a curse from Balaam, sent him packing. But Balaam was not finished prophesying.
Vs.15-19 “Balaam’s fourth message” Same arrogant introduction but he speaks an undeniable truth. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.” Is he speaking of David? He goes on, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Is he speaking of Jesus? He is speaking of David and Jesus. We are in a battle in Jesus’ name, by our faith in Him the enemy will be destroyed, Satan will not prevail against our God’s love, praise Him!
Vs.20-25 Balaam’s fifth, sixth and seventh message. This covers a lot of history, Amalek, the grandson of Esau, attacked the Israelites at a time when they were weak. God wanted them eliminated. Saul, the first king of Israel, failed to do that. The sixth message involves the Kenites. Moses stayed with Jethro, a priest in Median, a Kenite, who became his father in law. Yet, by Ashur, the Assyrians would destroy them. The seventh message, “Alas! Who can live when God does this.” Yes, God does this, He is control of history, also, today. Here Balaam moves ahead about 1500 yrs. The Greeks, Alexander the Great, puts an end to the Medes and the Persian kingdom. What do we take away from “Blessings and Curses” Does God bless? Yes, but blessings do not always mean physical healing, or prosperity but it always means spiritual healing. Curses are reserved for those who reject God, those who will not recognize Jesus as the Savior and do not listen to the Holy Spirit.
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Heavenhigh 