No Cursing
Balak was afraid. At this point, the Israelites had conquered many nations around him, and, as king of Moab, he felt threatened. The Israelites were prominent in number, and a force to be reckoned with, yet Balak had no real reason to be afraid. God had instructed the Israelites not to attack Moab, but Balak did not know that... what he did know was that the power behind Israel's victories was spiritual, and the only way to defeat them would be to cut them off from the source of their power, their God (Num. 22:1-7). Balak commissioned the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites; that would be the only way to defeat them.
Balaam was known to have the ability to perform blessings and cursings. He knew the one true God, but that had not righteously affected his heart. His spiritual gifts did not indicate a genuine relationship with God. Nevertheless, that did not stop Balaam from going to God with a matter clearly outside His will. Balaam was willing to do a little something strange for some change, so he asked God for permission to curse Israel.
“Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed,” the LORD answered Balaam. That was not what Balaam wanted to hear; he was a prophet for hire, and God was standing in the way of him “securing the bag.” He reluctantly reported back to the princes of Balak with the old “Mommy won’t let me” excuse instead of firmly standing on God’s Word and sending them on their way. Instead, Balaam entertained the princes of Balak, who returned to him a second time with the same request and more lavish promises of riches and status. After negotiating his price, Balaam told them to stay the night while he went to God again, as if God had changed His mind (Num. 22:9-19). He had not; God had not changed His mind. The LORD tends to say what He means and mean what He says, but there comes a time when God has to let man do what man, in his heart of hearts, really wants to do.
And so, he went. With the LORD’s permission, not His approval, Balaam went with the princes of Balak, allowing his carnal desires to cloud his spiritual intuition. God sent His Angel to block the way and made a donkey talk, and Balaam was still completely oblivious. Then, the LORD finally opened Balaam’s eyes so that he could see the Angel standing in the way with a drawn sword. At long last, Balaam repented; he would still report to Balak, but he would speak only what the Angel said (Num. 22:20-41). How disappointing it must have been for Balaam to be unable to fulfill his employer's wishes. Once he arrived to place the curse on God's people, nothing but blessings came out of his mouth. Suffice it to say Balak was pissed! “I told you to curse them!” he said. But Balaam could not curse Israel if God had not cursed Israel. God would not allow the cursing of His people; He would see them through to victory. Balaam answered Balak, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it” (Numbers 23:1-20). No cursing. God would not allow it, though Balak tried and Balaam gave it his best shot, no curse can take away God's blessing.
You are a child of God. You are spiritually blessed, so the enemy will always attack, but you can be assured that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isa. 54:17). Satan is threatened by you. He sees you winning, and he knows that the source of your strength is Jesus Christ. He would love to curse you and cut you off from the source of your power, but he cannot. God has made promises to you in His Word, and He does not lie. He has promised healing, provision, protection, and so much more through His Son, Jesus Christ; there is nothing anyone can do to change that. You are blessed!
Do not give in to doubt because what God has ordained will come to pass. No matter the trial you currently face, God will see you through to victory. Fellowship with God, pray, fast, read and study His Word and apply it to your life, immerse yourself in songs of praise, and give Him all the glory! Whatever situation you are struggling with today, know that God has spoken on the matter, and He will make it good!
