What lessons can we learn from Balaam's obedience to God's command in this verse? Setting the Scene “ The Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, ‘Go with the men, but you are to speak only the word that I tell you.’ So Balaam went with Balak’s princes.” (Numbers 22:35) What Stands Out in the Text • God grants Balaam permission to go, but places a clear restriction on his speech. • Balaam complies—he goes, yet speaks only God’s words. • The Angel of the LORD re-emphasizes divine ownership of the message. Lesson 1: Obedience Means Submission to God’s Word Alone • Balaam may travel, but his tongue is tethered to God’s command. • Compare Jeremiah 1:7: “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” • Application: location and circumstances may vary, but the content we proclaim must stay Scripture-true. Lesson 2: God’s Sovereign Control Over Messengers • Even a reluctant prophet cannot derail God’s plan (cf. Proverbs 16:9). • Acts 5:29—“We must obey God rather than men”—echoes the priority God sets in Balaam’s case. • God’s authority extends to our words, not just our actions. Lesson 3: The Tongue Is a Sacred Trust • Balaam’s mouth becomes God’s megaphone; misuse would invite judgment (Numbers 22:31–33). • James 3:5–10 warns of the tongue’s power; Balaam’s restraint models holy speech. • Pray Psalm 19:14 to keep words pleasing to God. Lesson 4: Obedience Is Costly but Rewarded • Balaam forfeits Balak’s promised riches (Numbers 24:11), yet gains the privilege of declaring four messianic prophecies (Numbers 23–24). • Matthew 6:33—seek first God’s kingdom, and the true reward follows. Lesson 5: God Uses Imperfect People • Balaam’s mixed motives (2 Peter 2:15) do not nullify the truth he is forced to proclaim. • Encouragement: God can still work through us when we repent and yield to His word. Take-Home Applications • Filter every decision through “Speak only the word I tell you.” • Recognize that obedience safeguards us from destructive compromise. • Let divine authority, not human pressure, set the boundaries of our speech and actions. |
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