Numbers 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. 8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? 20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
This passage of scripture recounts in very graphic form, the care of God for His people. Balak, the king of Moab had made a proposal to Balaam to put a curse on the children of Israel, thereby opening up their vulnerabilities. However, by his own testimony, Balaam confessed that the witchcraft or demonic spell could not work on them, because they were at this time walking in obedience to all of God's commands. While this continued to be the case, their adversaries could not use any enchantments that would cause them harm.
This is a critically important point for Christians and people everywhere to take note of, for wherever individuals or communities or nations try to live in accordance with what they know to be right, there the blessings and protection of God are bestowed in abundance. This very important truth is embedded in the following passage of scripture. Let's read:
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
However, the converse is also true, because not long after, Balaam was able to successfully lay a deadly plot that consequently caused the downfall of the Jews by inviting them to attend one of the sacrificial feasts at Moab, where they were encouraged to bow down to idols and to have sexual intercourse with the heathen. This snare put the Jews at odds with what God had explicitly commanded, and as a result their defense departed from them, making them vulnerable to the assaults of satan. Let's read:
Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
This experience is full of instruction for us who are living in the closing scenes of earth's history, for the very same snares are often laid for the feet of the unwary, with the same results. Many times when a person complains that things are not going well no matter what they do, it's because of some cherished sin or habit that is preventing the blessings of God from being showered upon them. God never blesses disobedience, for if He were to do this then he would virtually be building up satan's kingdom, and so He sets before us the good and right way, and bids us walk therein.
It is then left up to us to make choices that are in harmony with the principles of righteousness as outlined in the word of God, so that it may go well with us and our children. We therefore end with a promise to every member of the human family, encouraging us to follow the instructions of the Most High, and if we do, the assurance is given that God's protecting care will always hover over us. Let's read:
Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
May the blessings of the Lord fall upon the heads of all those who by faith, follow the example and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless!