Daily Bible Study

 DAILY BIBLE STUDY EXPOSITIONS - NUMBERS 22:1-41

with Elder Elico Manenji 

 Numbers 22:1-21: Balak summons Balaam to curse Israel 

Mankind in every age have a consciousness of great powers and place themselves in subjection to these powers and many a time sin against God, such was Balak as he sought to curse Israel.  

Laban was also one with such hope, he said to Jacob, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.” ( Genesis 30:27)

Also in every age there a people who receive a supernatural visitation as God has access to people’s mind and had an interest in people’s life. God has special people He uses to communicate divine wisdom as He has authority over people’s lives, such was once the life of Balaam. 

The prophet says, "They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message"(Ezekiel 13:6). 

Balaam was once a good man and a prophet of God, but he had apostatized and had given himself up to covetousness; yet he still professed to be a servant of the Most High. He was not ignorant of God's work in behalf of Israel and when the messengers announced their errand, he well knew that it was his duty to refuse the rewards of Balak and to dismiss the ambassadors. But he ventured to dally with temptation. Balaam dealt unfaithfully with a Divine communication and now was just a mere diviner. To such the Word of God is clear, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king"(1 Samuel 15:23).

There are thousands at the present day who are pursuing a similar course. 

They would have no difficulty in understanding their duty if it were in harmony with their inclinations. It is plainly set before them in the Bible or is clearly indicated by circumstances and reason. 

But because these evidences are contrary to their desires and inclinations they frequently set them aside and presume to go to God to learn their duty....But God will not be trifled with sin and temptations.  

Numbers 22:22-41-Rebuked by a donkey

Balaam lingered in the path of temptation when he said to the first messengers, *"Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you."

Balaam is not faithful in returning God's answer to the messengers, he could have said, "Israel was a blessed people, and must by no means be cursed",_ and the design would have been crushedband the temptation would not have been renewed.

Though Israel were not a perfect people, yet the blessedness of those whose sin is covered was upon them and the blessing of God through Abraham covered them. 

The Psalmist says, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered"(Psalm 32:1).

There are some workers of iniquity, yet in Christ's name prophesied and did many wondrous works, great people wretchedly abused by the flatteries of those about them who do all they can to prevent their seeing their own faults and follies, such was Balaam, so God allowed him leave with Balak's messengers.

The animal saw the divine messenger, who was unperceived by the man, and turned aside from the highway into a field. With cruel blows Balaam brought the beast back into the path; but again, in a narrow place shut in by walls, the angel appeared, and the animal, trying to avoid the menacing figure, crushed her master's foot against the wall....The man became exasperated, and beating the ass unmercifully, forced it to proceed.  

The Apostle says, "But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet" (2 Peter 2:16). 

There is no greater danger than for God to answer a man according to the desires of his own heart and if a person comes to inquire of Him with idols in his heart and setting the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, God will answer him according to his idols as he will be taken in his own heart. 

The partriach says, "If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles"(Job 11:14).

 Appeal

The Spirit of God gently strives with mankind, there may be some conviction in your mind but all will depend on your yielding up your heart to Christ and acting upon that conviction at once. If you waver when you ought to act, then wait for more light and when you have light enough, if you allow any second thought to come in to determine what you shall do, if it is anything selfish or worldly, then you ought to act simply for God, if you dont act for God, then the Spirit may leave you and your day or life may be a disgrace that of Balaam. So determine which will  pass a temptation or God's goodness. 

The Apostle says, "There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it"(1 Corinthians 10:13).

"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished"(2 Peter 2:9). Amen!!!

Elico Manenji

(+263712952704)