How does Numbers 23:18 connect with God's truthfulness in Titus 1:2? Setting the Scene in Numbers 23 • Israel is camped on the plains of Moab. • King Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel. • Instead, God compels Balaam to bless. • Numbers 23:18 opens Balaam’s second oracle: “Then Balaam lifted up an oracle and said: ‘Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.’ ” • Verse 18 summons Balak—and by extension every listener—to pay close attention because what follows is God’s own declaration, not human opinion. The Heart of the Oracle Immediately after the summons comes the core statement in verse 19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” Key emphases: • God does not lie. • God does not change His mind capriciously. • God’s words inevitably turn into actions. • His promises inevitably become realities. Connection to Titus 1:2 Titus 1:2 echoes the very same truth: “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” Parallels: • Both passages ground hope and confidence in God’s character, not in human effort. • “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19) lines up perfectly with “God, who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). • Balaam’s oracle shows God’s reliability in fulfilling temporal promises to Israel; Paul applies that same reliability to the eternal promise of life. Supporting Scriptures Reinforcing God’s Veracity • 1 Samuel 15:29 – “The Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind.” • Hebrews 6:18 – “it is impossible for God to lie.” • Romans 3:4 – “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” • 2 Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” Why the Link Matters for Us Today • The God who spoke through Balaam is the same God who promised eternal life through Christ. • Because He cannot lie, every gospel promise—pardon, adoption, resurrection—stands as certain as Israel’s blessing stood in Moab. • Doubt is answered not by our feelings but by God’s unchanging nature. • Every time we read a promise in Scripture, Numbers 23:18–19 and Titus 1:2 invite us to hear God saying, “You can take Me at My word.” Living in the Light of His Truthfulness • Trust His promises: pray and act expecting fulfillment. • Reject any suggestion that God’s word is unreliable. • Encourage others with the certainty of His character—especially those struggling with doubt. • Anchor hope for the future (eternal life) in the same God who faithfully kept every past promise. |
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