How does God's permission in Numbers 22:20 relate to His sovereign will today? Reading Numbers 22:20 in Context “ That night God came to Balaam and said to him, ‘Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but only do what I tell you.’ ” (Numbers 22:20) What We See in the Verse • God grants Balaam permission to go, yet sets a clear boundary: “only do what I tell you.” • This permission follows an earlier prohibition (Numbers 22:12). • The shift exposes two aspects of the same unchanging God—His permissive will and His sovereign will. Permissive Will—What It Is • God at times allows people to pursue a chosen path, even when it is not His highest desire (1 Samuel 8:7-9; Matthew 19:8). • Permission never equals approval; it simply opens the door to let the heart reveal itself (Romans 1:24, 28). • Boundaries remain in place—“only do what I tell you.” Sovereign Will—Never Compromised • God “works out everything according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). • He can permit without relinquishing control; His plan cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2; Proverbs 19:21). • Even Satan’s access to Job operates under strict divine limits (Job 1:12). How Permission and Sovereignty Work Together 1. God’s command shows His moral will. 2. Human insistence provokes God’s permission. 3. God’s sovereignty determines the outcome and fulfills His larger purpose. – Balaam is allowed to go, yet God still turns his cursing into blessing (Numbers 23:11-12). – Pharaoh’s hard heart is permitted, yet overruled for Israel’s deliverance (Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:17). 4. The result: human choices are real, but God’s plan stands. Why This Matters Today • We, like Balaam, may push for our own way. God may allow it—but He will set limits and overrule for His glory (Proverbs 16:9). • Seeking God’s face early spares us the sorrow of “second-best” permissions (Psalm 32:8-10). • Recognizing sovereignty guards us from fear; nothing slips past His hand (Matthew 10:29-31). • Obedience remains the safest path: “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). Practical Takeaways • Hold plans loosely: “Lord, close doors You do not endorse.” • Test desires against Scripture; God never permits what contradicts His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • When God allows a path, stay alert to His boundaries—“only do what I tell you.” • Rest in His rule: even our missteps, once surrendered, serve His purpose (Romans 8:28). Conclusion in a Sentence God’s permission in Numbers 22:20 illustrates that while He may let us proceed, His sovereign will still directs every outcome—calling us to humble obedience and confident trust today. |
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