How does Numbers 23:20 affirm God's unchanging nature and promises to His people? Setting the Scene Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, yet each oracle from Balaam becomes a blessing. The third time Balaam speaks, he states: “ I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.” (Numbers 23:20) What the Verse Declares about God • God initiates the blessing (“I have indeed received a command to bless”). • The blessing is already accomplished (“He has blessed”). • No power—human or spiritual—can reverse it (“and I cannot change it”). Unchanging Nature Highlighted • Numbers 23:19, just two verses earlier, anchors the thought: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” • Malachi 3:6 echoes the same attribute: “For I, the LORD, do not change.” • Hebrews 13:8 applies it to Christ: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” • James 1:17 adds that with Him “there is no variation or shifting shadow.” Taken together, God’s character is consistent, unwavering, and immune to outside pressure—exactly what Balaam discovers. Promise Integrity Demonstrated Numbers 23:20 shows three truths that assure believers of God’s promise-keeping: 1. God binds Himself by His own word. – Isaiah 55:11: His word “will not return to Me empty.” 2. God’s blessing once pronounced is irrevocable. – Romans 11:29: “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” 3. Human opposition cannot nullify divine intent. – Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” Implications for God’s People Today • Confidence: If God has spoken blessing in Christ, it stands (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Security: Our salvation rests on God’s unchanging word, not fluctuating feelings (John 10:28–29). • Worship: Recognizing His steadfast nature fuels gratitude and obedience (Psalm 145:13). Takeaway Numbers 23:20 echoes across Scripture: when God blesses, the matter is settled. His nature does not shift; His promises do not expire; His people are securely held by the word He has spoken. |
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