Feb 43 - Blessings Over Curses: Unveiling God's Sovereignty

Welcome to Day 43 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are continuing the book of Numbers. In Chapters 21-24, detail the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land, marked by their conquest of the Amorite kings Sihon and Og east of the Jordan River, and their subsequent encounter with the Moabites who, fearing Israel's power, hire the prophet Balaam to curse them; however, Balaam is divinely compelled to bless Israel instead, revealing God's favor upon them despite their past rebellions, ultimately demonstrating God's faithfulness and Israel's destined inheritance of the land. 

Numbers Chapter 21 as the Israelites journey towards the Promised Land, they encounter several challenges, including a conflict with the Canaanite King Arad, where they are forced to detour around the land of Edom due to their complaints about the hardships of the wilderness. This leads to God sending poisonous "fiery serpents" among them as punishment for their grumbling, but provides a remedy by instructing Moses to create a bronze serpent which anyone bitten could look at and be healed. The chapter then details their continued travel, culminating in significant battles and victories against the Amorite King Sihon and the giant Og of Bashan, effectively securing territory on the eastern border of Canaan. 

Numbers Chapter 22 King Balak of Moab, fearing the Israelites' growing power, sends messengers to hire Balaam, a renowned prophet, to curse the Israelites so he can defeat them in battle; however, when Balaam seeks guidance from God, he is instructed not to curse Israel, leading to a pivotal moment where Balaam's donkey miraculously speaks to warn him against disobeying God's command, ultimately forcing Balaam to comply and instead bless the Israelites, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty over even the most powerful of diviners. 

Numbers Chapter 23 Balak, the king of Moab, hires Balaam, a prophet, to curse the Israelites who are camped near his borders; however, despite Balak's attempts to manipulate him, Balaam is unable to curse Israel because God forces him to instead pronounce blessings upon them, highlighting the Israelites' strength and divine protection, comparing them to a lion and emphasizing their destined greatness as a nation; throughout the chapter, Balaam repeatedly tries to find a way to curse Israel from different vantage points, but each time God compels him to speak blessings instead, leaving Balak frustrated and unable to achieve his goal of harming the Israelites. 

Numbers Chapter 24 the story of Balaam, a prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, reaches its climax as Balaam is repeatedly compelled by God to bless Israel instead, despite Balak's attempts to pressure him; through a series of prophetic pronouncements, Balaam describes Israel's future greatness, dominance over surrounding nations, and a coming "star" that is often interpreted as a Messianic prophecy, ultimately frustrating Balak and leaving him with no choice but to dismiss Balaam. 

of God's Names by Tony Evans