A few years ago, my daughter had a hard time making friends and especially keeping them.
She wanted to be friends with everyone, but this proved nearly impossible. If she got too chummy with one group, a bevy of other girls grew resentful and even spiteful. So she would pivot her attention to the girls who were angry with her, hoping to patch things up. But her diplomacy was ultimately not well-received. This is what happens, she now sees, when you choose your words hoping to mollify critics or when you direct your steps towards the goal of winning the approval of everyone. She wanted acceptance, but she was unable to satisfy the girls demanding her exclusive loyalty. In the end, she disappointed everyone, especially herself. Choosing sides is no fun.
In our reading today, Balaam demonstrated the kind of allegiance to God’s Word that all of us are called to pledge. He was under pressure to pronounce a curse over the Israelites, but he was clear from the jump: “How can I curse someone God has not cursed? How can I denounce someone the LORD has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8).
If Balaam had only placated the insistent Balak and done what the king asked, then Balaam would have become a wealthy and popular man. Instead, he rested on what God said and refused to budge: “I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it” (v.20).
Treating people as it benefits or impairs our personal interests is a losing proposition. Instead, we can proclaim, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)—not as a way to damn our adversaries but to declare openly that we trust God and His word in all circumstances. This way of operating shatters the way we tend to function in our culture. We prefer huddling up in hives of like-mindedness, and we recruit others to join us in trashing those who don’t agree with our worldview, our politics, or even our favorite college football team.
Yet, perhaps we should recall God’s promise to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). But how do we decide whom to bless and whom to curse? Jesus seems to relieve us of the responsibility of choosing based on our own preferences or biases. He makes it really simple: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
If I could build a time machine, I’d go back and tell my daughter to double down on kindness, gentleness, and peace with the girls who wanted to shun and shame her. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely simple: we have God’s Word at our fingertips—and, even more, we have God’s Holy Spirit dwelling richly in us, guiding our behavior and seasoning the words we speak to others.
Written by Alex Florez
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43 thoughts on "Balaam’s Oracles"
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What I see here is a king, Balak, who is fearful of the Israelites. So he summons Balaam, a wicked diviner, to curse Israel. But Balaam, even with his wicked heart, heard from God and would only speak what God told him, which was blessings on Israel. Even this wicked Balaam met with God, listened to God, heard from God, confessed there was God. And even though his heart was not right with God, he spoke only what he was told by God. He turned down the reward from Balak and did not curse Israel. I believe that deep down, all people believe there is a God. Scripture tells us that He is clearly seen in creation so that we are without excuse (Rom 1:20). When God makes a covenant with His children, it cannot be broken – no matter who tries to break it. God will always keep His side. God made a covenant with Israel to bless them and protect them, and He did just that. There was no way the enemy was going to curse Israel after God had blessed them. Our confidence in this is that God’s plans for us cannot be thwarted when we stick with Him, obey Him, stand on His word.
Yes!
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Last week, I was picked on quite harshly by someone I thought was a friend. Actually, I was so shocked as to what they were saying about me to my face, no filter, just pure venom and ‘not niceness’ Yes from a Christian friend!
Lord help me if they were an enemy!
I did nothing to provoke the attack. We were talking about my needing help as I am feeling my age, and lifting pans of heavy food is not fun anymore..
BUT GOD..
I was shocked to be sure, but the Tina of some years ago would also have given back double portion of the venom thrown at me, yet I sat, listened, no clenched fists and took it..
After the tirade, Seeking God’s wisdom, and the Holy Spirit in me, I got up and walked away, saying nothing.. I went back to the job in hand, still praying for continued wisdom..
BUT GOD..
IF GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU..!
This was not water of a ducks back moment, but for sure, God was for me, during this verbal attack.., and later on, we were at the same meeting, and I was affirmed by about 15 people in the mans presence..
How awesome is our Father God, to not even let the sun go down on ‘those nasty words spoken to me, but affirmed me through others , who had not even been present when I was being attacked!
Thank you Father God, for being for those who look to you, and whose heart is for you.. Thank you Father God, Thank you..
AMEN.
Happy Wednesday my beautiful Shes! Know His blessings and love today in all you do and say..❤️
Proud of you, Tina! I am not sure I could have handled it as well as you did.
Oh, Dearheart! So proud of you to let Jesus fight your battles for you. So thankful for God’s kindness in turning the cursing into blessing so quickly
Oh sweet Tina. How hurtful and ugly.
It’s so hard to do what you did and walk away.
And God blessed you. ❤️
Wonderful, Tina!❤️
God will take care of things.
I am so sorry, Tina. But He had your back. He saw your response. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you.
I don’t mean to sound like an evil person, but this reading was tough for me. I have always tried my hardest to treat people with kindness and wish blessings upon everyone, but I was hurt badly January 2023 and it is still hard for me to swallow. Especially because the person who hurt me still thinks they were right, I got no apology, and everyone in this small town seems to worship them. It’s not that I am hoping God curses them, but it just seems so unfair 1.5 years later to still be hurting while they are thriving. And when I was hanging around this person, nothing they did or said made me think they had a relationship with God. So, why do they get so many blessings while I still hurt? Once they even said that the bar was their church. I know God loves me, protects me, pursues me, but it just doesn’t seem fair that I am so broken from this person and they think they did to me what I deserve. How am I ever supposed to have a change in heart? Why does it seem like there are no consequences for the amount of hurt that was caused to me? 1.5 years later and I can’t shake the anger. I have tried praying for them. I have tried praying for a change of heart. But, every time I see them it still stings. When I read about my God, the same God who handed the enemies of Israel over to them, it confuses me on why my situation is the way that it is. Why does it seem like the wicked are getting everything they have ever wanted? Honestly, all I ever wanted was an apology. What they did caused me to need deep therapy and medication. It just doesn’t seem right. Please pray for me and my situation.
EM – I’m so sorry for the pain you are going through. Will be praying the Spirit helps find your way to forgiveness and healing.
I hear how hurt you are, Em, and will pray for a special measure of peace for you. ❤️
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“…to declare openly that we trust God and His word in all circumstances…”
But I don’t, do I?
In fact, sometimes I hold on to the one or two circumstances that I think I trust God and His word in, and totally shut out all the other areas that are infested with fear and doubt. I ignorantly put those things on a pedestal of pride and without knowing it I put God in a little box and tie my mental hands of faith to the sheer sovereignty and ability of God to move and work in ALL circumstances. Feeling the sting of humility and rebuke this morning, but also so thankful for the mercy and grace of the continual pursuit and wooing of my heart to Him. He loves me enough to point out the error of my ways, to call out my fear and doubt as chains I put on myself, and reminds me of the freedom and peace of acknowledging that if God is for me, who (including myself, sometimes) can be against me?!
Thank you, Abba Father.
Amen, Molly.
Good morning sweet SHE’s and Happy Wednesday. OFF topic. My heart is filled with joy! TODAY my sweet girl graduates from High School. Alyssa. Class of 2024! She graduates with a few “earned” chords around her neck, PLUS the white gown. School colors are red, white and blue. So a few students who were part of CSF all 4 years get to wear the “white” gown. PLUS she ends her High School years with a 4.0 GPA for all four years. GOD IS GOOD! GOD gets the glory! This mama’s heart is so proud of her! Please pray as she enters her college years that she would remain steadfast and her relationship with Jesus be FIRST!
What a happy day for you Mari, prayers that your dear girl will walk in His ways through college.
Wow! Super exciting and sad at the same time. I remember the days of watching my children graduate. Blessings to Alyssa!
Todays devotional was so good that I wrote most of it down. I heard years ago that where you go there you will be. You can’t run away from yourself. It is also very hard to treat others with kindness that are treating you badly. BUT God commands that. To love others. To show them just who are God is through our love, kindness, and patience.
…”We have God’s Word at our fingertips—and, even more, we have God’s Holy Spirit dwelling richly in us, guiding our behavior and seasoning the words we speak to others.”
So thankful to God for leaving with us His Holy Spirit, to guide everything we do…the thing about a guide though, is that we have to follow where he leads. Sometimes we try to sneak away on our own, forgetting that the guide knows the way, and we get ourselves into trouble. He knows what’s dangerous and what isn’t – he’s been there before and knows the path well. We would be so wise to follow.
Thank you Father God for the gift of Your Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. Please guide my behavior, day by day, lead me in the way I should go and season the words that I speak. Amen
So true! Amen, Sharon! ❤
So easy to get “lost” when not listening. May the Holy Spirit today, open up my eyes, ears and heart. Thank you Sharon! Only can see a couple of comments, but wishing you all a blessed day! ❤️
Hi Donna!
We are aware that some She’s are experiencing issues seeing all of the comments.
I’m so sorry about this – we truly appreciate everyone’s patience, as we continue to look into this!
Amen
Such great insights! We can’t please everyone so we should just focus on pleasing God. This is something I have learned as a seasoned people-pleaser! Focus on doing what God desires us to do.
I love the prophecy about Jesus! Just think Balaam definitely not the best person but God used Him to proclaim Jesus! We said God used a donkey but now He used an unlikely prophet.
I miss reading Tina’s comments here. Praying for you today. Your stories and words of encouragement have blessed so many of us…even if we rarely comment.
As ALEX FLOREZ said, “ Treating people as it benefits or impairs our personal interests is a losing proposition.” (And side note… I am surprised that the Matthew verse he mentioned was not in the reading for today.)
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Ouch… I’m just sayin’ Let us always look to Him and not our own interests, sweet sisters!
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I was about to say, “Happy Friday!” I(t is my last day of preschool for the year, and so it FEELS like Friday!)
“We have God‘s Holy Spirit dwelling in us, guiding our behavior and seasoning the words we speak to others.“ ❤️
The NLT commentary shared by TRICIA C (thank you) – “problems rooted in us are not solved by a change in scenery” reminded me of something similar I heard/learned years ago, source long forgotten – no matter where you go, you can’t get away from yourself. Many moves later, I acknowledged that truth. Lord, help me to look to You for the wisdom I need.
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Both Balaam and Balak ultimately realized that God was not going to do their will, but His own. God’s will be done, and no doubt – it will be done despite any and all efforts to thwart it. For those sisters that read any of the Jan Karon Mitford series books, this will be familiar – pray that God’s will be done, the prayer that never fails.
Praying to align my will with His.
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ADRIENNE – praying for your in-laws
KRIS – praying for continued healing
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GWINETH52 – “when God answers, do I keep pursuing my preferred response? Heed the Angel, don’t beat the donkey.” Amen.
Thank you so much. ❤️
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Oops, it sent too soon… Thankful we don’t have to choose. We must love everyone and God will sort them all out later. ❤️
Thankful we don’t hav
This is so true and applicable for all of us at any age!
“A star will come from Jacob,
and a scepter will arise from Israel”
Thank You, Jesus, Star of Jacob, that You reign in heaven and earth. It is by Your shed blood and victory over the grave that I may called blessed and the curse is broken. Help give me courage to stand with You in all circumstances.
ADRIENNE – praying for your FIL and MIL. Thanks for the updates on Fred and Sharon.
RHONDA J. – continued prayers for your grands.
Thank you for the prayers, and you’re welcome for the update. ❤️
“Changing locations won’t change God‘s will. We must learn to face the source of our problems. Moving to escape problems only makes solving them more difficult. Problems rooted in us are not solved by a change of scenery. A change in location or job may only distract us from the need for us to change our heart.” (23:27, NLT commentary)
Only Jesus can satisfy. Only He can.
Dear Father,
You created me. You know me. You know my heart. Lord. I pray that You would continue to mold me and make me and change me into who You want me to be. I want to rely on You for all my decisions. Thank you Lord Jesus. In Your Precious and Holy Name, Amen.
Amen
”Treating people as it benefits or impairs our personal interests is a losing proposition. Instead, we can proclaim, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)—not as a way to damn our adversaries but to declare openly that we trust God and His word in all circumstances.” – ALEX FLOREZ
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Dear Father,
Thank You for Your faithfulness.
You don’t lie nor change Your mind.
You act on Your Word and You fulfill Your promises.
Even if we are faithless, You remain faithful.
May we trust Your word in all circumstances.
May we remember the price You paid.
For every one of Your promises is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 1:20).
And through Him, to Your glory, I say:
AMEN.
Amen Julia C! That quote jumped out at me too!
That quote got my attention as well. And thank you for that prayer… truth! ❤️