Numbers 29:23

Numbers 29:23 says, And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:  Verse twenty-four adds, Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  The number of bullocks for the burnt offering continued to decrease, but but rams remained the same.  The meat and drink offerings were to be the same for each animal.  Verse twenty-five continues, And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.  Again, the sin offering was one kid goat, and this was in addition to the normal burnt, meat, and drink offerings.   If we give to a special offering, I don't believe that we should consider our regular tithes and offerings to be a part of the special offering.  Verse twenty-six states, And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot,  Verse twenty-seven adds, And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:   Verse twenty-eight continues,  And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.  The number of bullocks continued to decease, and the amount of the meat offering decreased by the amount required for the bullocks.  Verse twenty-nine says, And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:  Verse thirty adds, And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  Verse thirty-one continues, And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.  Though the number of bullocks decreased, all the animals were still to be without blemish.  We are to bring the best that we have to God.  Verse thirty-two states, And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:  Verse thirty-three adds, And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  Verse thirty-four continues,  And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.  These once more were in addition to the normal offerings, and there was still only one young goat for the sin offering, just as Jesus Christ is our only acceptable sin offering today.  Verse thirty-five says, On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein:  On the eighth day, the people of Isreal were to have a solemn assembly, and again were to do no unnecessary work.  We too often declare nearly everything to be necessary work on the Lord’s ’s Dsy, instead of setting it aside strictly to worship Him.  We may also make it necessary for others to work instead of being able to rest and worship God.  Verse thirty-six adds, But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish: The number of bullocks and rams decreased to one, and the number of lambs decreased to seven.  Verse thirty-seven continues, Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  This meant that the amount of the meat and drink offerings would also decrease, since they were determined by the number of animals in the burnt offerings.  Verse thirty-eight concludes, And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.  The sin offering remained the same, and as always was separate from all other offerings.  Any offering we bring to God todsy must be to accomplish His work and bring honor and glory in Him, but it can never atone for our sins.  Accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord is the only way to have our sins atoned for, since He alone is the only acceptable sin sacrifice.  Verse thirty-nine states, These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.. God said that these things were to be done in addition to the normal offerings.  God may at times call on us to give extra to His work, but as long as we acknowledge that everything belongs to Him to start with, we should never have a problem with this.  Verse forty adds, And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. Moses told the people of Israel what God had said,  as so must we as Christians tell the people of the world what God has said.

Numbers 29:12

Numbers 29:12 says, And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:  On the fifteen day of the seventh month the people of Israel were to have a holy gathering that would last a week, during which they were to do no work.  We as Christians used to have week long revivals when we gathered together to worship God.  Of course, we still worked during that week, but now it seems that it is too much bother.  Verse thirteen adds, And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:  The burnt offering was to be more than normal.  Verse fourteen states, And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,  Verse fifteen adds, And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:  There was also an increase in the meat offering to go along with the burnt offering.  Verse sixteen continues, And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.  These were in addition to the normal offerings.  The sin offering did not increase.  There is but one offering for sin, and that is Jesus Christ, even though the kid goat without blemish represented Him then then.  Verse seventeen says, And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:  Verse eighteen adds, And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  On the second day of this holy week, they were to bring another offering for the burnt sacrifice and the necessary items for the meat offering and drink offering.  God still expects us to give all that is necessary to insure that His work is done and His name is glorified in the world today. Verse nineteen continues And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings.  Again, the sacrifice for the sin offering did not increase.  Verse twenty states, And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;   Verse twenty-one continues, And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:  They were to again bring a sacrifice on the third day, though the amount was decreased again for the burnt and meat offering.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.  The sin offering remained the same, and all these offerings were in addition to the normal offerings.

Numbers 29:1

Numbers 29:1 says, And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.  Ths first day of the seventh month the people of Israel were to have a holy gathering.  They were to do no work and it was to be a day of blowing trumpets.  Matthew Henry says this was the time between harvest and planting when the people had more free time, and that God wanted it devoted to Him.  We likewise need our free time to be devoted to God.  Verse two adds, And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish:  On this day, they were also to offer a burnt offering to God, consisting of one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish.  Verse three continues, And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram,  Verse four concludes, And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:  The amount of the meat offering, which consisted of flour mingled with oil, was also specifed for each of the animals of the burnt offering.  As always with their sacrifices, God directed them in what to give and how much to give, and we need to allow Him to do so in our lives today.  Verse five states, And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:  Verse six adds, Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.  They were also to offer a young goat as a sin offering for atonement for their sins, in addition to all the other offerings which were still to be offered as well.  Though Jesus is our sin offering for all our sins for all time, we are still to bring our tithes and offerings to God, and I believe to use all that we have left for accomplishing His work for His glory.  Verse seven says,  And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:   Also in the seventh month on the tenth day they were to have a holy meeting and set the day aside for God and do no unnecessary work.  It seems that today we want to set less and less time aside for God.  Verse eight adds, But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:   Verse nine continues,  And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram,  Verse nine concludes, A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:  The things to be used in the burnt offering and the meat offering were once again specified by God.  I believe we need to allow God to direct our giving today as well.  Verse eleven states, One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.  Once more, they were to offer a young goat for a sin offering for atonement from their sins.  We can offer nothing todsy for atonement from our sins, but must accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, since He is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.

Numbers 28:24

Numbers 28:24 says, After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. There was to be a daily meat sacrifice during the seven days of passover, in addition to the already burnt and drink offerings given daily.  Verse twenty-five adds, And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.  There was to be no work done on the seventh day during their convocation, or gathering to worship God.  Verse twenty-six states, Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:  The feast on the day of Pentacost is then detailed.   They were to bring a new meat offering to God during their convocation, and once again they were to do no work.  We may not have particular feast days, but everyday that we gather together in God's name should be a day of offering all that we have to Him.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;  They were to bring two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year for a burnt offering.  Verse twenty-eight continues, And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,  The meat offering was to be flour mingled with oil, three tenths deals to one bullock and two tenth deals to one ram.  Matthew Henry says the burnt offerings were chiefly for the benefit of God to show His dominion, and the sin offerings were to show the love of Christ that they were looking forward to and that we look back on as He died for our sins.  Verse twenty-nine states, A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; Verse thirty adds, And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.  There was also to be a young goat sacrificed in atone for their sins.  Verse thirty continues, Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.  These offerings were also be in addition to the continual burnt offerings and meat offerings.  At times, God may call on us to give more than just our normal offerings, and when He does we need to give the best we have so that He might be glorified.  

Numbers 28:11

Numbers 28:11 says, And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;  God then gave Moses instructions for the monthly offering the people of Israel were to offer for a burnt offering.  This was in addition to the daily offering.  It was to be two young bulls, one ram and seven lambs less than a year old and without s spot, or blemish.  Verse twelve adds, And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;  Verse thirteen continues, And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.  They were also to bring four mingled with oil to be used with the meat and burnt offering.  Verse fourteen concludes, And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.  There was also instructions for the drink offerings to be used in the sacrifices.  Though Jesus Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins, God still expects us to bring our tithes and offerings to him to be used in the carrying out of His work in the world, and He expects us to bring the best that we have to Him.  Verse fifteen says, And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.  There was a separate offering for the sin offering besides the continual burnt and drink offerings, and Jesus Christ alone is our everlasting offering for our sins.  We can give our tithes and offerings generously, but if we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, they will be meaningless.  Verse sixteen states, And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.  Verse seventeen adds, And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.  Moses was then to once again give God's instructions for the yearly Passover observance.  Though God through Moses had already given the people of Israel these instructions before, a new generation was now making up the nation of Israel, and God wanted to make sure they knew His laws, just as we must share the gospel of Christ with each new generation and teach them what God's word says.  Verse eighteen continues, In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein:  The first day of te Passover was to be set aside totally to God, with no work being done.  We still need to set aside time dedicated totally to God, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, or at all times, sometimes individually and sometimes when we gather together to worship Him.  Verse nineteen says, But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:  Verse twenty adds, And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;  Verse twenty-one continues, A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:  Verse twenty-two concludes, And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.  There were specific instructions for the Passover celebration, just as there are specific ways that we should worship God today, and that is by giving Him our best daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, so that His work can be carried out for His honor and glory.  Verse twenty-three states, Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.  Moses was to tell the people that the Passover was in addition to daily morning burnt offering, which was a perpetual offering.  Though Jesus Christ is our Passover offering, freeing us from the death sentence of sin forever, we are still, to bring our tithes and offerings to God. 

Numbers 28:1

Numbers 28:1 says, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Verse two adds, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.  God told Moses to tell the people of Israel that they were to offer bread made for sacrifices by fire to Him as a sweet savor in due season.  Matthew Henry points out that this was a new generation, and that though God had already given His law, it was to be repeated to them so that they could not claim to have never heard it, and that they were now going to war, but this did not exempt them from obeying God's law.  Our offerings to God today are still a sweet savor to God and should be offered in due season, or at the time they are due.  We are still to make sure that the next generation knows God's law, beginning with knowing that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, and we are to do this even as we are at war with the world.  Verse three continues, And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.  God then specified what this burnt offering was to be, two lambs of the first year without blemish, or the best of their lambs.  God should still guide us in what we offer to Him today, but the first thing we must offer is ourself through putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Then, we should offer the best of everything else that we have to Him.  Verse four concludes, The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even;  One of the lambs was to be offered in the morning and one in the evening, which would basically mean that they were dedicated to God all day and all night. We are likewise to offer the best that we have to God, day and night, or continually.  Verse five states, And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.  The offering was to also include an ephah of flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of oil beaten in as a meat offering.  Verse six adds, It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.  Moses was to remind the people that this sacrifice had been ordained at Mount Sinai when God's law was first given.  God's law does not change from generation to generation, nor from situation to situation.  Verse seven says, And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.  They were also bring a drink offering of strong wine to be poured out to the LORD in the holy place with the one lamb.  Jesus Christ became our bread and wine offering to God, by sacrificing His body and blood on the cross.  Verse eight adds, And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.  The other lamb with te wine was to be offered in the evening.  There is not a time of the day when we as followers of Christ should not offer the best that we have to God.  Verse nine states, And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:  Verse ten adds, This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.  The offering on the sabbath day was to be more than on any other day.  I believe that God still expects us to keep the sabbath, or as we now observe,  the Lord’s Day, as a time to rest and worship Him.  

Numbers 27:12

Numbers 27:12 says, And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.  God told Moses to go up on the mountain so he could see the Promised Land.  We will  never see heaven in this lifetime, but we may get glimpses of what it may be like.  Verse thirteen adds, And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.  God told Moses that after he saw the Promised Land that He like Aaron would die to go to be with God's people in his heavenly home.  We as followers of Christ will also go to our heavenly home after we die, to be with all those who have gone on before us.  Verse fourteen continues, For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.  God then told Moses why he wasn't going to be allowed to go into the earthly Promised Land, and that was because he had disobeyed God in striking the rock in anger to bring forth water in the desert, thereby dishonoring God.  As Christians, our actions that go against what God tells us to do may have consequences that affect our work for Him here in this life, but like Moses we will still go to our heavenly home, because that is based on our relationship with JesusChrist, and not on our works.  Verse fifteen states, And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,   Moses acknowledged God as the God of the spirits of all the people.   God is indeed the God of the spirit, the everlasting part of people, of all mankind, whether they acknowledge it or not.  He also asked God to appoint someone else to be over the people of Israel.  Moses was still concerned about the people of Israel, even though they had caused him so much grief.   We need to be just as concerned about the leadership of God's people today, asking Him to appoint God led people into places of leadership in the church today.  Verse seventeen adds, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.  Moses asked God that He appoint them a new shepherd to guide them.  We have the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ to guide us today by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, but we still need Godly people to guide the congregations as we gather and work for God's glory today.  Verse eighteen declares, And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;  God told Moses to take Joshua, one of the two good spies and in whom was the Spirit of God, and to lay his hands on him.  As followers of Christ, we all have the Holy Spirit living in us, but God still calls some to lead the earthly congregation today, and we must acknowledge them as such.  Verse nineteen adds, And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.  This was to be done in the presence of Eleazar, Aaron's replacement as priest, and all the congregation.  We need to do everything in the church today openly and under God's guidance.  Verse twenty continues, And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.  God told Moses that he was to put some of his honor on Joshua, so that the people might follow him.  We must make sure, even if we have been a great leader in the church, that people recognize we are not the one to be followed, but only God is.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.  God said this was to be done in the presence of Eleazar the priest, so that the people would know that God had placed Joshua in charge of leading them as to when it was time to move or stop, but this was still to be by God's command.  The leaders in the church today must be led by the Holy Spirit in all that they do if they are to be effective leaders, and the congregation needs to be willing to support them.  Verse twenty-two says, And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:  Moses did as God instructed him to do, and that is all we can do today as Christians if we want to be effective in reaching the lost and guiding God's people if we are so called to do if we are to be effective in our calling as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-three adds, And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.  Moses laid his hands on Joshua and gave him the charge to now lead God's people on to the Promised Land.  God will always have someone else to take our place in the church today as long as we are always acting under His leadership. 

Numbers 27:1

Numbers 27:1 says, Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.  The daughters of Zelophehad of the family of Manasseh came to Moses.  Verse two adds, And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,  They came to Moses, Eleazar, the princes and all the congregation by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, which would mean that they did this openly and before the house of God.  If we have problems today as followers of Christ, especially with our fellow Christians, we need to bring them before the congregation in God's house.  We do not need to make secretive deals nor talk about other Christians behind their backs.  Verse three continues, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.  They told Moses that their father had died in the wilderness, not as a result of the rebellion against God by those who followed Korah, but as a result of his own sin for refusing to go into the Promised Land for a lack of faith.  This was God's prescribed punishment for the whole generation that refused to go into the Promised Land, and if we refuse to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord today, this is what will keep us out of heaven, but it does not keep anyone else out.  They said their father had no sons to inherit the land promised to God's people.  Verse four asks, Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. They asked Moses why the name of their father should be done away with because he had no son, and then asked Moses to give the inheritance of their father to them.  God's promise of salvation to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ applies equally to male and female.  Verse five adds, And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.  Moses did not give them his opinion, but brought the matter before the LORD.  If we have questions of faith today, we need to bring them before God, and not just give our opinion.  Verse six states, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Verse seven adds, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.  God told Moses that what the daughters of Zelophehad said was correct, and the inheritance of their father should pass to them.  In the kingdom of God, men and women are equal in inheriting everlasting life when they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse eight continues, And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.  God told Moses to speak to the children of Israel and tell them that not just in this case, but in every case where a man died with no sons that the inheritance was to pass to the daughter or daughters if the man had any.  This was God's law.  When we look to God for answers, He will give them to us, and sometimes He will clarify things even beyond what we ask.  Verse nine says, And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.  If the man had no sons or daughters, his inheritance was to be divided by his brothers, but it was not to become any less of a part of God's kingdom.  Verse ten adds, And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.  If the man had no brothers, his inheritance was to pass to his uncles.  In these two instances it does not mention daughters.  Verse eleven continues, And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.  If the man had no uncles to pass the land on to, then it was to pass to the kinsman closest to him.  This was to be God's statute forever.  We really don't have to worry about inheriting the things of this world, because as followers of Christ, male or female, we already have an inheritance of everlasting life in heaven. 

Numbers 26:52

Numbers 26:52 says, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Verse fifty-three adds, Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.  God instructed Moses on how to divide the land, though he himself would not divide it, but Joshua would, and we should trust God today to divide His blessings on us according to His will.  Verse fifty-four continues, To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.  God said the inheritance was to be given in accordance to the number of people in the tribe.  Those with more people would receive more and those with fewer would receive less.  We today are rewarded according to our faith and not our numbers.  Verse fifty-five continues further, Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.  Even though the land was to be divided by the size of the families, it was to be done by lot, which left God in charge and not the people themselves.  We need to leave God in charge of our material blessings today instead of attempting to decide for ourselves what we want and then expecting Him to give it to us.  Verse fifty-six concludes, According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.  Even though decided by lot, the land would still be divided by the size of the tribe.  We need to depend on God to divide His blessings on us today in accordance with His will.  Verse fifty-three states, And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.  The Levites had not been numbered as a part of the overall number of the people of Israel, since they were set aside for service to God and would receive no inheritance of land.  We as followers of Christ are set aside from the world for service to God and will receive no lasting inheritance in this world, yet we often act like that is the most important thing.  Verse fifty-eight adds, These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.  There were seven sons of Levi listed in the family, all of whom were set aside to God's service in the tabernacle.  Amram, a grandson, was also listed.  Verse fifty-nine continues, And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.  Amram's wife was named Jochebed, who was the mother of Aaron and Moses.  Verse sixty aays, And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.  Verse sixty-one adds, And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.  Aaron had four sons, two of which had died for offering strange offerings before the LORD.  We are not saved because of who our parents are, but by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse sixty-two continues, And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.  The number of men who were of the tribe of Levi from birth on were twenty-three thousand, an increase of  a thousand.  Verse sixty-three says, These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.  Moses and Eleazar numbered the people this time, since Aaron had died.  When one leader in God's family dies, He will raise up another.  Verse sixty-four adds, But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.  None of those numbered by Moses and Aaron were a part of this number, since they died in the wilderness as God had said they would.  Verse sixty-five continues, For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.  The only exception of those who had doubted God and died in the wilderness were Caleb and Joshua, who had stood firm in their faith in God by telling the people that with God on their side they could defeat the people in the Promised Land.  We need to have faith in God today to be able to defeat all our enemies if we stand firm in our faith in Him.

Numbers 26:38

Numbers 26:38 says, The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:  Verse thirty-nine adds, Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.  Verse forty continues, And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.  We have the five sons and two grandsons of Benjamin listed.  Verse forty-one concludes, These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.  There were a total of forty-five thousand, six hundred men over the age of twenty who were able to go to war in the tribe of Benjamin, an increase of ten thousand, two hundred.  Verse forty-two states, These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.  Dan had but one son listed.  Verse forty-three adds, All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.  There were sixty-four thousand, four hundred men of fighting ability over the age of twenty in the tribe of Dan, an increase of seventeen hundred.  Verse forty-four says, Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.  Verse forty-five continues, Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. We have two sons an two grandsons of Asher listed.  Verse forty-six adds, And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.  We also have the name of the daughter of Asher listed, but we have no list of any of her children.  Verse forty-seven concludes, These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand, four hundred.  There were fifty-three thousand four hundred men who were over twenty and able to go to war in the family of Asher, an increase of eleven thousand, nine hundred.  Verse forty-eight states, Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:  Verse forty-nine adds, Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.  We have four sons of Naphtali listed next.  Verse fifty continues These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.  There were forty-five thousand, four hundred men over the age of twenty who were able to go to war in the tribe of Naphtali, a decrease of eight thousand.  Not all the tribes of Israel fared the same during the wilderness wanderings, and not all the families of Christians today fare the same as we wander through this sinful world.  Verses fifty-one declares,  These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.  The total number of the people of Israel that was numbered, which were only men over twenty who were able to go to war, was six hundred one thousand seven hundred and twenty,  which was a decrease of eighteen hundred twenty . The total number remained almost the same, though the numbers in the various tribes varied from a little to a lot.  

Numbers 26;26

Numbers 26:26 says, Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.  Next to be counted was the tribe of Zebulun, from his three sons.  Verse twenty-seven adds, These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred. There were sixty thousand five hundred of the men men over twenty who were able to go to war, an increase of three thousand, one hundred in the wilderness wanderings.  Verse twenty-eight states, The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.  Joseph's sons were Manasseh and Ephraim and they were counted in his place.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.  Verse thirty says, These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:  Evidently, the grandsons were named in the count as well.  Verse thirty-one adds, And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:  Verse thirty-two continues, And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.  Verse thirty-three states, And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  We even have daughters named in thectribe of Zebulun, which is unusual.  Verse thirty-four adds, These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.  There was a total of fifty-two thousand seven hundred men twenty or over who were able to fight in the tribe of Manasseh, an increase of twenty thousand five hundred.  Verse thirty-five says, These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.  Now we have the sons of Ephraim listed.  Verse thirty-six adds, And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.  Verse thirty-seven continues, These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.  There were thirty-two thousand, five hundred men over twenty who were able to go to war in the tribe of Ephraim, a decrease of eight thousand.  We are again reminded that Manasseh and Ephraim were the sons of Joseph.  Joseph had not been left out of the people of Israel, even though he couldn't go with them physically to the Promised Land. and neither will we be left out of God's kingdom as followers of Christ, even if we cannot go physically to heaven, our promised land.

Numbers 26:12

Numbers 26:12 says, The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:  Next to be counted were the tribe of Simeon.  Verse rwelve adds,  Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.  There were four tribes from Simeon.  Verse fourteen continues, These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.  There were a total of twenty-two thousand, two hundred men of the tribe of Simeon who were twenty years old or older and able to go to war.  This was a decreaase of thirty-seven thousand one hundred from the original count.  They had decreased more than any other tribe, partly because one whole family, that of Obed, had died in the wilderness.   I wonder if the number of Christians were counted today as opposed to a generation ago, would our number be more or less, especially of the men.  Verse fifteen states, The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:  Next to be counted were the tribe of Gad, by the particular families of his sons.  Verse sixteen adds, Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:  Verse seventeen continues, Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. Verse eighteen concludes, These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.   There was now a total of forty thousand five hundred of the tribe of Gad, a decrease of five thousand, one hundred and fifty.   Verse nineteen says, The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.  The next counted were the tribe of Judah, through his sons, which did not include Er and Onan, who had died in the wilderness.  Being physically born into God's chosen people did not ensure entrance into the Promised Land, just as being physically born into a Christian family today does not ensure entrance into heaven.  It was and is dependent on obedience to God, starting with putting ones faith in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah then and the Messiah Who has come now.  Verse twenty adds, And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanit, Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.  Verse twenty-one continues, And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.  Ths sons of Pharez were also counted.  Verse twenty-two concludes, These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred. There was now seventy-six thousand, five hundred men of Judah over the age of twenty who were able to go war, an increase of nineteen hundred.  Verse twenty-three states,  Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:   Next to be counted was the tribe of Issachar, by the families of his sons.  Verse twenty-four adds, Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.  Verse twenty-five continues, These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.  There was total of sixty-four thousand, three hundred men over twenty who were capable of going to war in the tribe of Issachar, an increase of nine thousand, nine hundred. 

Numbers 26:1

Numbers 26:1 says, And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,  Verse two adds, Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.  Once again, Moses was to count the number of the men of Israel, from twenty years old and up who could go to war, but this time he was to do it with Eleazar, who was now the head of the priests.  When one of God's people dies, as Aaron had, there is always another to take their place.as long as we listen to Him.  Verse three states, And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,  Verse four adds, Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt. Moses and Eleazar assembled the people in the plains of Moab, near Jordan, near Jerico and told them once more to count those men above twenty by tribe according to God's command.  If God tells us to do something again that we have already done before, we don't need to question Him or grumble, we just need to do it.  Verse five says, Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:   Verse six adds, Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.  Rueben, the oldest son of Israel and his sons were the first to be counted.  Verse seven continues, These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.  This was two thousand, seven hundred and seventy fewer than the first count.  Verse nine states, And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD;  Verse ten adds,, And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.  One reason that the number of people in the tribe of Rueben decreased was because of the prideful rebellion against God by Dathan and Abiram, with Korah who had rebelled against God, and the earth had swallowed them up.  The number of Christians in the world today may decease. because fewer people are willing to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but it should never be because those who profess to believe in Him have rebelled against Him.   Verse eleven continues, Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. The children of Korah were still counted, because they had not joined in the rebellion against God.  Even if others who profess to be followers of Christ rebel against God, we must never join them.  

Numbers 25:10

Numbers 25:10 says, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Verse eleven adds, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.  God told Moses that the actions of Phineas, the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, the family designated to be priests, on behalf of God, had turned His wrath away from Israel.  Our actions on behalf of God should be like those of Phinehas and turn God's wrath away from people, especially those who are supposed to be God's people, though this doesn't mean we are to kill some of them.  Verse twelve continues, Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:  God said He gave Phinehas His covenant of peace, just as He does to us today if we are followers of Christ and are obedient to Him. Verse thirteen concludes, And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.  God said that since Phinehas was zealous for Him and made atonement for the people of Israel, He would make Phinehas and his descendants an everlasting priesthood.  Though we must accept Him individually, Jesus Christ made atonement for us, and once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, we are a part of an everlasting priesthood.  Verse fourteen states, Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. The man who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri, who was the son of the prince of the house of the tribe of Simeon.  No matter how important we may be in the eyes of the world, if we are sinners who have not accepted God's gift of salvation, we are no better than the poorest of sinners.  All will one day go away to everlasting punishment, forever separated trom God's grace and forgiveness.  Verse fifteen adds, And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.  The Midianite woman was the daughter of Zur, who was the chief over the house of Midian, so she would have also been an important person to the Midianites.  No matter how important a person may view themself in the world, they are not exempt from God's word, and if they do not accept Him as the only God, they will one day face His judgment.  Verse sixteen declares, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,  Verse seventeen adds, Vex the Midianites, and smite them:  God told Moses to vex the Midianites and slay them.  God had punished the Israelites with a plague for their defiance of Him, but He was going to punish the Midianites with destruction, because they were leading the people of God into idolatry.  Those guilty of idolatry, whether they call themselves God's people are not, will always face God's judgment.  Verse eighteen continues, For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.  God told Moses that he was to destroy the Midianites because they were leading God's people away from Him.  The world today will try to lead us away from God's will, but we must never allow them to do so.  Still, instead of trying to kill them, we are to reach out to them with the gospel of Christ. 

Numbers 25:1

Numbers 25:1 says, And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.  In Shittim, the people of Israel stayed for awhile and began to be sexually involved with the women there, which was against God's command.  If we became too closely involved with the people who are not Christians it may lead us away from following God's commandments.  Matthew Henry says that since Balak could not defeat the people of Israel in a war, he chose to defeat them by subtlety.  Verse two adds, And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.  These women called on the men of Israel to engage in the sacrifices to their gods, and the men of Israel bowed down to these false gods.  After all that God had done for them, they were easily led away from Him.  As followers of Christ, we cannot let feelings for someone lead us away from Him, no matter how strong those feelings may be.  Verse three continues, And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.  The people of Israel began to worship Baalpeor, and Godcwas not pleased with them.  If we as Christians begin to allow other gods into our lives and begin to worship them more than God, we can be certain that God will not be pleased with us.  Verse four states, And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.  Though it is not specified, evidently a plague came upon Israel, and Moses was also commanded to kill the leaders of those who rebelled against God and hang their bodies up for all to see.  We cannot allow any idolatry into our lives as followers of Christ and nor expect God to be angry with us.  Verse five adds And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.  Moses instructed the judges of Israel to slay all the men who had committed idolatry with Baalpeor.  These men were on the edge of the Promised Land, and they turned away from God to worship a false god.  We as followers of Christ are on the edge of the Promised Land, Heaven, every day and we cannot allow ourselves to be pulled away from God to chase after false gods, which do not have to be actual idols.  These false gods can be anything that becomes more important to us than God.  Verse six says, And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  One of the men didn't just go out of the camp to become involved with one of the Midianite women, but even as the people of Israel were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation over the death of those who had committed idolatry, he boldly brought her into the camp of Israel.  Some people today boldly stand in defiance to God, even some that call themselves a part ot His people.  Verse seven adds, And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;  Phinehas, Eleazar's son, who was a part of the priesthood, saw what the man was doing and took a javelin in his hand.  We must, as a part of the priesthood of believers, be ready to root out all idolatry from our midst.  Verse eight continues, And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.  Phinehas went onto the tent of this man and ran his javelin through both the man of Israel andthewoman, killing them, and the plague was stopped.  If we have allowed idolatry into the church or even our life individually, we must kill it off in order to be faithful to God.  Verse nine concludes, And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.  This had been a widespread idolatry, since twenty-four thousand had died from the plague.  Idolatry is widespread today, though hopefully not in the church, God's people, and the penalty is not physical death, but everlasting separation from God spiritually. 

Numbers 24:15

Numbers 24:15 says, And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:  Balaam said what he was about to prophesy was what God had shown him.  His eyes were not opened physically but spiritually.  We may have our eyes upon physically and still be blind spiritually.  Verse sixteen adds, He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:  Balaam said he heard God’s voice and saw a vision while he was in a trance but still awake, or had his eyes physically open.  The Bible tells us that in the days before Jesus Christ came to die for our sins that He spoke to people in many ways, but now He speaks to us by our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seventeen continues, I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.   Matthew Henry says this first referred to David,who did physically destroy Moab, but ultimately referred to Jesus Christ, Who destroys all sinful people.  I guess more accurately we should say Jesus allows them to destroy themselves spiritually by rejecting salvation that He has already provided fot them.  Balaam said he would see Him, which was definitely a reference to Jesus Christ, but not now and he would behold Him, but only from afar.  One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but for too many it will be from far away.  Verse eighteen states, And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.  Balaam said that Israel would also defeat Edom valiantly.  Jesus Christ has defeated all the enemies of God, not by war, but still valiantly on the cross.  Verse nineteen continues, Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.  The destruction of Edom was certain, both physically and spiritually for those who refused to obey God.  Being destroyed physically is not important as long as we are not destroyed spiritually by rejecting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty says, And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.  Balaam then said that the Amalekites, as strong as they were, would one day be utterly destroyed.  No matter how strong a nation may be, those that stand against God will ultimately be utterly destroyed, when Jesus Christ returns in victory if not before.  Verse twenty-one adds, And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.  Verse twenty-two continues, Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.  The Kenites had a strong natural defense where they were located, but it would not keep them from being destroyed.  No matter how strong and well fortified people may be today in their opposition to God, one day they will be utterly destroyed.  Verse twenty-three states, And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!  Balaam asked who should live when God destroyed all these nations.  We know the answer is those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, either as the Messiah Who was to come or the Messiah Who has come.  Verse twenty-four adds, And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.  Balaam concluded by speaking about the coming destruction of Asshur and Eber, which were also to perish forever.  All those who stand against God will one day be sent away into everlasting punishment.  Verse twenty-five continues, And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.  Balaam went back to his home, and so did Balak.  They had gotten together to curse Israel but went away with Balaam having blessed them instead.  Those who would curse God today will one day bless Him instead, but it will be too late for them to avoid being sent away to everlasting destruction. 

Numbeds 24:1

Numbers 24:1 says, And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.  Balaam was finally listening to God and would not go with Balik to attempt to curse Israel since he knew that it pleased God to bless them.  We may have tried to defy God, as Christians, but He will always be ready to show us the truth.  Verse two adds. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.  When Balaam looked at the people of Israel living in their tents, the Spirit of the LORD came on him.  As followers of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord is always with us, and as long as we are willing to listen to Him, He will open our eyes to God's truth.  Verse three states, And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:  Verse four adds, He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:  Matthew Henry says that Balaam was still trying to exalt himself more than God.   He was the one God was speaking through, so he should be humbled and not exalted.  When we are speaking for God because He has opened our eyes to His word, we must never attempt to exalt ourselves instead of exalting God.  Verse five says, How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!  Balaam then once again begins to proclaim God's blessing on Israel.  God's word is never going to change simply because we want it to say something else for our benefit.  The people of Israel were God's chosen people.  Verse six adds, As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.  Balaam said God had pronounced the people of Israel to be like trees planted by the river.  They were strong and unmoveable, as we as His people are today.   The world will never be more powerful than we are as long as we live by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seven continues, He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.  Balaam said that God had revealed to him that the kingdom of Israel would be a bountiful kingdom, planted and watered by God and more powerful than any other kingdom.  As we go into the world today as followers of Christ, we are still empowered by God, and as long as we are faithful to Him, no one can ever defeat us.  Verse eight says, God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.  Balaam said God had brought the people of Israel out of Egypt, and that He would give them victory over all their enemies.  God has brought us out of the bondage of sin today if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and He has already given us the power to defeat all our enemies.  Verse nine adds, He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.  Balaam concluded by saying that God had said that those who blessed Isreal would be blessed and those that cursed them would be cursed, and cursing them was what Balak wanted Balaam to do.  Verse ten states, And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.  Balak became angry with Balaam, and told him that he had brought Balaam there to curse Israel, but that instead he had altogether blessed them.  No matter what the world may want us to do as Christians, even if it will bring us fame and fortune, we must be obedient to God's word.  Verse eleven adds, Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.  Balak told Balaam that he had wanted to promote Balaam to a place of great honor, but that God had prevented him from doing so.  As a prophet of God, as long as Balaam remained true to Him, he was already in a place of grea honor.  As followers of Christ, no matter how much or how little we have of the material things of this world we are already in a place of great honor, and we should never try to change God's word, no matter what we may be offered to do so.  Verse twelve says, And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,  Verse thirteen adds, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?  Balaam asked Balak had he not told Balak’s messengers that no matter what he was promised, he could not go against God's word. Balaam said Balak could not say he was cheating him, since Balaam had warned him to start with that he could only prophesy what God told him to.  As Christians, that is all we can really do today.  Verse fourteen continues, And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.  Balaam told Balak that he was returning to his people, and told Balak to come and hear what would later happen to the people of Israel.  Matthew Henry says that Balaam was telling Balak that he would be shown the way to defeat the people of Israel one day, and that would be by getting them to turn away from God and to turn to idolatry.  We need to be careful that we do not let idolatry creep into our lives as followers of Christ.  As long as we stand firm by faith in God, we will never be defeated spiritually, which is all that really matters.

Numbers 23:13

Numbers 23:13 says, And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence.  Balak was not giving up easily.  He told Balaam to come to where he could only see a part of the people of Israel and to curse that part.  Evidently Balaam was still willing to attempt to do what Balak wanted instead of not doing what God had told him not to do.  We cannot compromise God's word by trying to get around it.  Verse fourteen adds, And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.  They once again went up a mountain and built seven altars and offered a bullock and ram on each, but these were not really sacrifices to God, but were attempts to bribe God.  Giving to God in an attempt to get Him to do our will never works.  Verse fifteen continues, And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.  Once more, Balaam told Balak to remain where he was while Balaam went to meet the LORD yonder.  You would think by now that Balaam knew what God had already told him on several occasions.  When God has already given us an answer repeatedly, there is no need to continue to try and get a different answer.  Verse sixteen states, And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.  Once more God put His word in Balaam’s mouth and told him to go tell Balak what he said.  This is all we can do as followers of Christ and still remain faithful to Him.  Verse seventeen adds, And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?  When Balaam returned, the princes of Moab and Balak stood by his burnt offering, and he asked Balaam what God had said.  He was still expecting a different answer than the one Balaam had already given him from God.  Verse eighteen says, And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:  Balaam told Balak to hear and heed what he said, and this is all we can do as Christians today.  Verse nineteen adds, 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?  Balaam said that God said He was not a man that would lie, nor the son of man who would repent, and asked if He would not do what He said He would.  Once God has proclaimed His word, we are not going to change it just because it would benefit us to do so.  Verse twenty states, Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.  Balaam said he had received God's commandment to bless Israel,  God had blessed them, and Balaam could not change that.  God has blessed those who are His people today, and nothing in the world can ever change that. Verse twenty-one adds, He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.  Though they were often rebellious, those who were truly God's people were forgiven of their sins and then God saw no iniquity in them.  If we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then our sins are forgiven and God sees no iniquity in us.  Verse twenty-two continues, God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.  God brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them the strength of a unicorn, which must have been a great strength.  When God brings us out of our sinful condition when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, He gives us great strength as long asxe are faithful to Him.  Verse twenty-three declares, Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!  Balaam said God had pronounced that there was no enchantment or divination against Jacob and Israel, because if there were people would ask what had God wrought.  Since God is the source of our salvation, we need never fear losing it.  Verse twenty-four adds,  Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.  God said like a hungry lion, Isreal would rise up and could not be stopped.  Neither can we be defeated by the world as Christians today as long as we put our faith in God and are faithful to His word.  Verse twenty-five says, And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.  Balak then told Balaam to neither curse nor bless the people of Israel.  We cannot stay neutral with God.  We either bless Him or curse Him.  Verse twenty-six adds,But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?  At least Balaam recognized that he had to obey God's word.  Even if we want Him to say something else than what He tells us, we must obey God.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.  Balak wasn't giving up.  He told Balaam that he would take him to another place, and maybe God would give him another or different answer.  What we must acknowledge is that God is the same no matter where we go, and so is His word.  Verse twenty-eight states, And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. The question is was Balaam still willing to do what Balak said instead of what God said.  Once God has told us something, not just once but several times, we need to listen to Him and not the world, even if we have been promised great riches if we do what the world wants us to do.  Verse thirty continues, And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.  Balak wanted Balaam to do the same thing again, which was to curse at least a part of Israel in the name of God.  No matter how persistent they may be, we as Christians cannot let the people of the world lead us to attempt to do something against God's will.

Numbers 23:1

Numbers 23:1 says, And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.  Though God had told Balaam not to prophesy against, or curse Israel, he was still allowing Balak to believe that he was going to.  He told Balak to have seven altars built and to prepare seven oxen and seven rams.  When we know what God has told us not to do, we don't need to do anything but obey Him.  Verse two adds, And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram.  Balaam thought he could win over God by offering sacrifices to Him, and Balak was willing to do whatever he said and even participate with him in doing whatever he was doing.  Matthew Henry says Balaam was still looking for the reward from cursing Israel and enjoying the power that Balak was given him.  We must never allow power and material wealth to be a driving force in our life as we claim to be followers of Christ.  Verse three continues, And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.  Balaam told Balak to stand by his burnt offerings, which they really were, and not God's burnt offerings, which they weren't, because they were not offered for the right reason.  If we give something to God today in hope of convincing Him to do what we want, especially if He has already told us that we are not to do it, it is our sacrifice and not His.  Verse four states, And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram.  God met Balaam, and Balaam bragged about what he had done for God, though it had really been done for his own benefit and not really to honor God.  There is no purpose in our telling God what we have done for Him if our purpose is to get Him to do what we want instead of doing what He has already told us to do.  Verse five adds, And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak.  God put His word in Balaam’s mouth and told him to return to Balak and speak God's word, and not what Balak wanted to hear.  We can only speak God's word if we are to remain faithful followers of Christ, and should never just say what the world wants to hear.  Verse six adds, And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.  Balaam returned to Balak, who stood by his burnt sacrifices along with all the princes of Moab.  Balaam had the attention of all those in power, and he possibly felt that he had great power at that moment, but God was still in charge.  Verse seven says, And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.  Balaam stated why he was there, and that was to curse Jacob and defy Israel, at the request of Balak.   Verse eight adds, How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?  Balaam then asked how he could curse those that God had not cursed and defy those that God had not defied.  This is the question that we need to ask today, with the understanding that instead of coming to curse people that Jesus said that He came to seek and save those who were lost.  Verse nine continues, For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.  Balaam said he saw God from the top of the rocks, and that the people of Israel would dwell alone.  They would not be defeated by any other nation as long as God was with them, nor will we be defeated by any earthly power as long as we are obedient to God.  Verse ten concludes, 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!   Balaam then spoke of the vastness of the people of Israel and asked who could count them, and said let him die the death of the righteous.  This should be our goal as Christians today.  Verse eleven states, And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.  Balak asked Balaam what had he done to him, blessing Balak's enemy, Israel, instead of cursing them, but it was God Who was blessing them and not Balaam.  We cannot curse what God has blessed.  Verse twelve adds, And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?  Balaam asked if he should not take heed of what God had put in his mouth.  We need to always take heed of what God says and only speak what He tells us to, as followers of Christ, even if it may be the opposite of what we want to hear.

  

Numbers 22:36

Numbers 22:36 says, And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.  Balak went to meet Balaam when he heard he was almost there.  He evidently thought Balaam was going to do what he wanted him to do.  People will still go out of their way to get Christians to do what they want them to do, without any concern about whether it is God's will or not, if they think they will benefit from it.  Verse thirty-seven adds, And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?  Balak then basically asked Balaam what took him so long to get there, since Balak was going to richly reward him for doing what he wanted Balaam to do.  We should never allow people to think that they can buy our services as followers of Christ, no matter how much they promise to reward us materially.  Verse thirty-eight states, And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.  Balaam should have told Balak that God had already told him not to attempt to do what Balak wanted in the name of God, but he instead said that he could only say what God told Him to say.  We need to be clear when it comes to proclaiming God's word that we can only proclaim His truth, no matter what someone may offer us to do otherwise.  Verse thirty-nine adds, And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.  Balaam went with Balak to Kirjathhuzoth, when he should have simply turned around and gone home, considering that he shouldn't have been there to start with.  If we find ourselves in a place that we know God doesn't want us to be as Christians, we need to turn around and leave.  Verse forty says, And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.  Balak was still trying to flatter Balaam.  We should never allow anyone to think that as followers of Christ that we can be bought with flattery or material riches.  Verse forty-one adds, And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.  The next morning, Balak brought Balaam up to the high places of Baal, a false god worshipped by many people.  Matthew Henry says Balak might have done this thinking that Balaam would be better able to pronounce his curses on Israel from higher up, or closer to God, or maybe that he wanted to be higher up so that he could see the curses take effect.  No matter what the reason someone wants us to go there, we should stay out of places of the worship of false gods, especially if they think we are going to use our relationship with God to benefit them, whether it is God's will or not.  Knowing what God had told him, Balaam had no business going along with Balak. 

Numbers 22:22

Numbers 22:22 says, And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.  Though we were told that God told Balaam he could go, it was more likely his own determination that this was what God said.  Now that Balaam was on his way, an angel of the LORD stood in his way because God’s anger was kindled against him, which it wouldn't have been if God had really given him permission to go.  We may at times convince ourselves that God has given us permission to do something simply because that is what we want to do, but I believe He will always let us know when we are wrong.  Verse twenty-three adds, And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.  Balaam did not see the angel standing in the way with his sword drawn, but his ass, or donkey did, and turned away into a field, where Balaam beat her to get her to go where he wanted to go again.  In this case, Balaam was indeed dumber than a donkey, and if we are trying to do something that we know God doesn't want us to do, then so are we.  Verse twenty-four states, But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.  As Balaam continued on, the angel of the LORD stood in his way in a vineyard with walls on both sides.  There was very little way to turn aside, so turning around would have been the only option.  God will limit our opportunity to sidetrack around His opposition if we continue to go against His word.  Verse twenty-five adds, And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.  Once more, the ass saw the angel and attempted to get away, running into the wall and crushing Balaam’s foot.  Balaam once again beat her to get her to go where he wanted to go, evidently without thinking that God might be trying to tell him something.  If we are determined to do something and think that God has given us permission when He hasn't, then we need to at least be aware when He sends us warnings that He hasn't.  Verse twenty-six says, And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.  The angel went a little further ahead, to a narrow place where there was no room to turn aside and get around him.  God will ultimately make it nearly impossible for us to go against His will without directly confronting Him.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.  Once more, the ass saw the angel, and this time, with no way around, fell down under Balaam, who then beat her with his staff.  The ass was trying to save Balaam, and was being beaten for doing so.  Sometimes, we may treat people who attempt to get us to turn around when we are going in the wrong direction the same way.  Verse twenty-eight declares, And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?  God enabled the donkey to speak, asking Balaam what she had done to deserve being beaten three times.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.  Balaam told the donkey it was because the donkey had mocked him, and that if he had a sword, he would kill the donkey.   Evidently, he did not find it strange that the donkey was talking, which only God could cause to happen.  If we are determined to do something contrary to God's will, we may overlook even the strongest warnings that God sends us that we need to turn around.  Verse thirty states, And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.  The ass asked Balaam if she had not been his loyal ass and had she ever done anything like this before in the time Balaam had ridden her, and Balaam said no.  Sometimes, people may turn against loyal friends if they are trying to get them to turn away from doing something that God has told them not to do.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.  God then opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel standing in his way with a drawn sword.  If we are receptive to God's word, He will always open our eyes to what He is telling us, and in this case, He was atelling Balaam that he was not to go to Balak to do what he wanted Balaam to do.  Verse thirty-two states, And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:  The angel then asked Balaam why he had beaten his ass three times, since the angel had stood in his way since Balaam was perverting God's word.  Since Balaam could now see the angel, God spoke to him through the angel.  Sometimes, it may take us awhile to listen to God, but He will always be telling us by various ways if we are going against His will that we need to turn around.  Verse thirty-three continues, And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.  The angel then told Balaam that the donkey had spared his life three times by turning away from going where Balaam was determined to go, because the angel stood ready to slay him.  If someone trys to keep us as followers of Christ from doing something against God's will, we certainly don't need to get angry with them about it.  Verse thirty-four states, And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. Balaam finally acknowledged that the angel of the LORD stood in his way, and said if his actions displeased him, that he would turn around.  It really wasn't the angel who was displeased, but God, for Whom the angel was but a messenger.  Our going against God's will as Christians always will displease God.  Verse thirty-five adds, And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.  The angel then gave Balaam permission to go on with the men to Balak, but to only speak what God told Him to speak to him, and Balaam went on his way with them.  As long as we are speaking God's word, I believe He will allow us the freedom to do so anywhere, but if we begin to use God's word for our own profit, we put ourselves in real danger of being rebuked by God.

Numbers 22:15

Numbers 22:15 says, And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.  Balak once again sent princes to Balaam to get him to do what he wanted him to do instead of what God had told him to do.  We are told that there were more of the princes this time and that they were mote honorable.  Balik appealed to Balaam's pride by sending more, higher ranking men to him, and Matthew Henry said probably with more money to offer him.  We should not be surprised if the people of the world flatter us today as followers of Christ to attempt to draw us away from doing His will, and sometimes they may even tempt us  with more money.  Verse sixteen adds, And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:  These princes said that Balak asked that Balaam not allow anything to prevent him from coming to him and doing what he wanted Balaam to do.  This would have included God, since Balaam had already told Balak that God prevented him from coming.  Once God forbids us from doing something, no amount of flattery or money should cause us to do it.  Verse seventeen continues, For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.  Balak promised Balaam very great honor and anything he wanted if he would just come and curse the people of Israel, God's chosen people, which God had already forbidden him to do.  No amount of honor or money should tempt us to do something contrary to God's will today.  Verse eighteen states, And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.  Balaam stood firm in his obedience to God at this point, saying even a house full of silver and gold would not get him to go against God's will.  We still need to stand firm in our obedience to God today, no matter how much the world may offer us to go against Him.  Verse nineteen adds, Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.  Balaam again asked the princes to stay for the night while he sought God's will, which had already been revealed to him previously.  If God has already told us what to do, we do not need to let prestige or money change our mind about it. Sometimes we say we are seeking God's will, when in reality we are just seeking His endorsement of what we plan to do.  Verse twenty continues, And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.  God this time told Balaam to go with them, but to only say what God told him to say.  He was not now being sent to do what Balak wanted him to do, but to share God's word instead.  God did not change His mind about Balaam going and cursing the people of Israel, but only told him that if he was determined to go, which his asking God once again about something that should have already been settled, then he could go, but he was still to obey God in what he said.  We may be allowed by God to find ourselves in the wrong place, but even if we are we must remain true to God's word.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.  Balaam rose up early and went with the princes.  Since he knew God had not changed His mind about what Balaam could do when he got there, there was really no need for him to go.  We need to be careful that we don't allow ourselves to be tempted to go somewhere that God has already told us not to go.