What is the meaning of Numbers 23:19? God is not a man - The verse begins by reminding us that the Lord is fundamentally different from His creation. He is eternal, infinite, perfectly holy (Isaiah 46:9: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me”). - Human nature is limited and fallible; God’s nature is unlimited and flawless. Knowing this distinction guards us from projecting human weakness onto Him (Psalm 50:21). - Because God is not a creature, His character sets the standard for all truth and righteousness (Psalm 18:30). that He should lie - Lying springs from sin and limitation, neither of which exists in God. Scripture is unequivocal: “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18) and “God, who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). - Every word in Scripture is entirely dependable; no hidden agenda, no half-truth (John 17:17). - In practical terms, when we read a promise or warning in the Bible, we may bank on it without reservation. or a son of man, that He should change His mind - People can be fickle, but God’s purposes never wobble. “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6) and “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind” (1 Samuel 15:29). - His immutability steadies our faith: the same righteousness that judged sin at the Cross still forgives repentant sinners today (James 1:17). - When circumstances shift, God’s unchanging character anchors believers. Does He speak and not act? - God’s utterance is always effective. “So My word that goes out from My mouth will not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11). - From creation (“For He spoke, and it came to be,” Psalm 33:9) to final judgment, His declarations shape reality. - This means every prophetic word—whether already fulfilled in Christ’s first coming or awaiting His return—carries absolute certainty. Does He promise and not fulfill? - History testifies that every divine promise stands. Joshua could say, “Not one of all the good promises the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything was fulfilled” (Joshua 23:14). - The ultimate confirmation is Christ: “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). - Because God’s track record is flawless, believers may trust future promises—resurrection, eternal life, His abiding presence—with unwavering confidence (Romans 4:20-21). summary Numbers 23:19 slices through human doubt by presenting a four-fold assurance: God is unlike us, He never lies, He never wavers, and He always backs His word with action. When He speaks, reality bends; when He promises, fulfillment is inevitable. Therefore, our response is simple—take Him at His word, rest in His unchanging character, and live in glad expectation of every promise still to come. |
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