Year of the Bible: Part Four of Twelve Sample

Ammon and Moab Hire Balaam to Curse Israel.

After being refused a passageway through Edom, God's people stop at the Plain of Moab near the Jordan River. In an attempt to turn the people around and prevent them from entering the land of Canaan [the promised land], the people of Ammon and Moab hired Balaam to curse the Hebrews. Balaam was a Syrian famous for cursing enemy armies before their defeat.

While Israel camped in the plain, Balaam went up high on a nearby mountain to pronounce a curse over the whole congregation. When he opened his mouth, instead of a curse came a blessing, and not only once, but four times!

God used a pagan to pronounce blessings on the Israelites. He announced the defeat of Israel's future enemies, the coming of King David and his son Solomon, and even the deliverer of all the world, the Christ!

Look at what God did! The Israelites complained about their situation and God's leadership through Moses, and, in return, God used a pagan to bless them! Throughout this entire book, you can see again and again God's desire to bless His people, despite also needing to discipline them.

God is like this today, too. He is always seeking you out with a desire to bless you. He wants to draw you close to Himself and give you the chance to know Him. Be careful, and don't let the current circumstances in your life distract you from what God is doing in the background.

Question: Take a moment and ask God, "What are you doing in my life?" Wait and see if He brings something new to your attention.

Prayer Focus: Your most significant areas of blindness will coincide with where you are the least grateful. Gratitude lifts your head to see where your help comes from, from the presence of the Lord. Take some time to wage war against the stronghold of ingratitude in your heart and mind. Target it with the truth that you have what you need in Christ.