What does Numbers 23:3 teach about waiting for God's direction in decisions? Setting the Scene • Israel is camped on the plains of Moab. King Balak fears them and hires Balaam to curse them (Numbers 22). • Balaam, though compromised by greed, knows he must speak only what the LORD puts in his mouth. Before he pronounces anything, he withdraws to seek God. Key Verse “Balaam said to Balak, ‘Stay here by your burnt offering while I go; perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me I will tell you.’ So he went off to a barren height.” (Numbers 23:3) What Waiting Looked Like for Balaam • Separation: Balaam leaves the noise of the camp and climbs to “a barren height.” • Expectation: “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me.” He cannot force God’s timing; he can only make himself available. • Submission: “Whatever He reveals to me I will tell you.” Balaam commits to relay exactly what God says, no edits. • Stillness: Balak must “stay here.” The king can do nothing but wait while God speaks to His messenger. Lessons for Our Own Decision-Making • God is the Initiator. We don’t manipulate Him; we position ourselves to hear (Psalm 46:10). • Quiet places matter. Turning off distractions—devices, opinions, pressures—mirrors Balaam’s solitary height (Mark 1:35). • Expect but don’t presume. Balaam’s “perhaps” safeguards humility. We wait because the LORD is sovereign, not on call (Psalm 27:14). • Commitment to obedience precedes revelation. Balaam promises full disclosure before God speaks; we, too, pledge obedience in advance (John 7:17). Supporting Passages • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” • Isaiah 40:31—“Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.” • James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given.” • Acts 13:2—Leaders “ministered to the Lord and fasted” before the Spirit directed them. Practical Steps While You Wait 1. Withdraw: schedule a specific, undistracted time and place. 2. Worship: present your “burnt offering”—praise, surrender, Scripture reading. 3. Ask: lay the decision before God, inviting His correction and insight. 4. Listen: linger in silence, journal thoughts, test impressions against Scripture. 5. Obey: move only on clear biblical principle or Spirit-confirmed leading. Cautions from Balaam’s Mixed Motives • Right actions with wrong heart still invite danger (Numbers 22:32). • Hearing God does not exempt one from falling later; continual submission is vital (2 Peter 2:15-16). Encouragement for Today Waiting is not wasted time. It is the posture of faith that lets God steer the outcome and mold the heart. When we, like Balaam on the height, step back, expectantly watch, and resolve to speak and act only as He directs, we find decisions shaped by the wisdom of the One who sees the end from the beginning. |
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