Sermon # 8 - A Justified People Series

Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 23:21, “God saw no wrong in Jacob's people. He saw no sin in the Israelites. The LORD is their God, and he is with them. The Great King is with them!” (ERV)

Just as the children of Israel progressed, and moved towards the Promised Land, we too as children of God are journeying on towards the heavenly kingdom that God has promised to us.

As the Israelites progressed in this journey without any provocation on their part, Balak the King of Moab wanted to harm them. Knowing that this was physically impossible, Balak invited the Prophet Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. In our earthly journey as we walk with the Lord we too will have people who will oppose us, and will do all they can to stop us from moving forward.

However, instead of cursing the people of Israel, Balaam blessed them as these words were put in the mouth of the Prophet Balaam by God Himself. We too must remember that every evil plan of the enemy that is aimed at our downfall, the Lord will use, and turn it around so we can rise to greater heights.

We have been studying this incidence in detail, and I believe that the words that were spoken by the Prophet Balaam can be applicable to all of us who are part of the church today.

These words are recorded in Numbers 23:9-10, “From the high rocks I can see them; I can watch them from the hills. They are a nation that lives alone; They know they are blessed more than other nations. The descendants of Israel are like the dust--- There are too many of them to be counted. Let me end my days like one of God’s people; Let me die in peace like the righteous.” (GNB)

Numbers 23:19-20, “God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done. I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.” (GNB)

Here are the highlights of Balaam’s prophecy:

1. The Israelites were a nation who lived alone, and were separated from all the nations around them. So also, we as a church will be separate and isolated because we cannot live like everyone in the world does, and we cannot compromise with the values and principles of this world.

2. They were also too many to be counted. This applies to the church today which will continue to grow, for nobody can stop the growth and multiplication of the church.

3. Let me die the death of the righteous was Balaam’s prayer. The righteous person is blessed in life, but the righteous man is also blessed in death because he does not fear death because they know that they have an eternity with the Lord.

4. God is not like people who lie, which means that every promise that God has made for the church and the people of God will be fulfilled and none of them will fail.

5. He is not a human who changes His mind, and will not go back on any of His words.

6. I have been instructed to bless, and when God blesses, I cannot call it back. God blesses us, and no one can turn this back. We must believe in our hearts that this is true for us too. Often we know all of this in our minds, but do not believe it fully in our hearts.

We will look at the next part of this prophecy by Balaam and meditate on this word found in Numbers 23:21, “God saw no wrong in Jacob's people. He saw no sin in the Israelites. The LORD is their God, and he is with them. The Great King is with them!” (ERV)

When the Lord looks at those of us who are His children, He does not look at our sins or wickedness, because God sees us as those who are guiltless. Many believers are living in guilt because they are not able to accept the fact that God has forgiven them of all their sins, and that they stand faultless before the Lord. When something goes wrong or there is some hardship, many believers think that they are being punished for the sins or wrongs they had committed many years ago, even before they became believers in the Lord Jesus. However, the word of God reminds us that the Lord did not observe iniquity in Jacob nor did He see the wickedness in Israel, but rather God was with them.

The question that may arise is how can a holy God be among an unholy people, and if we can understand the mystery behind this verse, we will be able to overcome all our discouragements, and confusions that arise to keep us down, and hinders us from praying to the Lord.