God is not a man: God is God! Numbers 23:19 God is not a man: God is God!

Balaam tells Balak: 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? God is God!

Numbers 22-24 and Numbers 25 Balak: King of Moab Afraid of the spread of the glory of Israel. He sends Princes to Balaam and urges him to come and curse the Israelites. He assures Balaam that he will be rewarded Handsomely for doing this …and be honored!

Balaam A man who prophesied. Balaam was told the mission of the Princes from Balak. He really wanted to go. He told them to wait until tomorrow and he would Inquire of God what he should do. He is told straightforwardly: No. Do not Go.. That should have settled the matter. He sent the Princes of Balak back to him and told him He could not come to him and do his bidding.

Balak’s response: 1. Balak was not giving up. 2. He sent more Princes and made the temptation even greater for Balaam. 3. This time when Balaam inquired of God, God told him To Go but that he must speak only what God put in his Mouth. 4. On their way, the donkey talks to Balaam. 5. Balaam reaches Balak and ready to do his wishes

4 Times: 7 altars are built and the offering was made. God is God!! 1. Each time, Balaam would bless Israel, instead of Cursing Israel. 2. Balak would take Balaam to a different view of Israel…build 7 altars and offer 14 animals as before. Numbers 23  1 .And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3. The same response from Balaam: He is finally Told by Balak to go back to his home, emptied handed And without honor.

Balaam is spoken of at different places in the bible… 1. Peter compares false teachers to Balaam “who Loved the wages of wickedness.” (2 Pet. 2:15) 2. Jude 1:11 Jude echoes this sentiment, associating Balaam with the selling of one’s soul for financial Gain. 3. Jesus speaks of Balaam when he warns the church In Pergamum of their sin. “There are some among you Who hold to the teaching of Balaam,who taught Balak to Entice the Israelites to sin so they ate food sacrificed to Idols and committed sexual immorality. (Rev. 2:14) 24,000 Israelites died (Num. 25:9)

Lessons learned from Balaam:

#1 He spoke the truth when his mouth was guided By truth, but his heart was not in it. God is God! Is your heart in your work for the Lord? I Sam.16:7 Matt.22:36-37 I Cor. 15:58

Cf. Rich young man. Matt. 19:16-22 God is God! #2 He wanted the praise of men as well as the praise Of God. Sounds familiar: John 12: 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Are we like that? Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Cf. Rich young man. Matt. 19:16-22 God is God! ‘

#3 His eternal soul was at stake. Yet, he still Longed for the honor that Balak had promised Him and the material goods promised to him. Numbers 23:10 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! Yet, how tragic that he failed to live like that! Are we like that? Numbers 25:1-6 Balaam later told Balak what would destroy Many of the Israelites: Get them to sin by eating food offered To their idols and committed sexual immorality. (cf.Rev.2:14) 24,000 were killed!!! God is God!!

Satan’s tactics haven’t changed all that much. If he cannot curse God’s people directly, he will Try the back-door approach,and convince us That immorality is alright and just serve God The way you want. Prov. 14:12 Jerm. 10:23 Heb. 5:8-9 God is God!

God Is God! #4 God is to be glorified and respected as being the true And living God. A) His name is Holy and Reverend… Psalms 111:9 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. B) Should a preacher or minister be called “Reverend”? NO No man, including any minister, has a name worthy of such respect or worship! (Matt. 23:8-11) Exodus 20:7 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain Deut. 5:11 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. God Is God!

All of us need to remember these facts about God #1 God is not a man. Num. 23:19 #2 No man can see God and live. Ex. 33:20 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. Why? 1. God is invisible. I Tim. 1:1717 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2. A man will die if he sees God face to face. Ex. 33:20 ‘no man shall see me, and live.

#3 God’s thoughts, God’s ways, God’s doings…are not Man’s. I Sam. 16:7 Isa. 55:8,9 Speak where God speaks: be Silent where God is Silent. I Pet. 4:11; Prov. 30:5-6 God Is God!!

Sin promises - but cannot deliver! Will we listen to God, do what God says, and Walk humbly with our God with the right Motive, a good heart and faithful steps taken In the service of the King Jesus? God is God!