Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from which you may see them; you shall see only the outer part of them, and shall not see them all; curse them for me from there.” So he brought him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. (Numbers 23:13-14)
There is one thing you have to say about Balak — he was persistent. In spite of being rebuffed by the blessing pronounced over his enemies, he insisted that Balaam get another perspective — perhaps that would make the difference. And so he took him to the top of Mount Pisgah and the field known as Zophim — or “lookouts.” It is extremely ironic that Balaam was led to this place. I say that because, in this place Balak and Balaam sought to “bury” all Israel to no avail. Later, God would summon Moses to this same area and allow him to see the Promised Land before he died and was “gathered to his fathers.” It is almost as if God was continuing to make His point — God’s Word and purpose will prevail regardless of man’s plans and intentions.
In that vein of thought we must recognize that looking at the same thing from a slightly different perspective doesn’t change the outcome. For example, God told Moses he was not to go into the land and he did not though he was allowed to see it from afar. Balak desperately wants to curse Israel but, from atop Pisgah, Balaam is compelled to say that, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
While we understand that we have the privilege and honor of being able to approach our Maker and petition Him for favor and blessing, we must also recognize that there are some things He has already decided — and that’s that. If He has said one thing, it is not for us to try and undermine or reverse His decision. It is for us to respect and honor His Word and adjust our lives accordingly. If a heathen sorcerer can recognize that truth, we should certainly recognize it — and honor it. So then, we’ll conclude with this thought: God alone has all wisdom and authority and therefore we declare, “Let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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