Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 22:35 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Context of Numbers 22:35 (KJV)
Numbers 22 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Numbers, part of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). The Israelites, having escaped Egypt, are journeying through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Along the way, they encounter various nations and rulers who fear the Israelites’ growing strength and want to hinder their progress.
One such ruler is King Balak of Moab, who, fearing the Israelites’ power, calls upon Balaam, a well-known prophet, to curse them. However, God repeatedly warns Balaam that he cannot curse the Israelites because they are blessed. In the beginning of Numbers 22, Balaam initially refuses to go with Balak’s messengers. But after repeated offers, Balaam agrees to go, though God’s instruction is clear: he can only speak what God tells him.
In the midst of Balaam’s journey to Moab, the story takes an unexpected turn. God sends an angel to block his way. Balaam is unaware of the angel’s presence, but his donkey sees it and refuses to move forward. After three encounters, where Balaam strikes the donkey in frustration, God opens the donkey’s mouth, and it speaks to Balaam, asking why he has struck it. After this interaction, God opens Balaam’s eyes, and he sees the angel.
In the immediate aftermath, Numbers 22:35 contains God’s response to Balaam. God speaks through the angel and tells Balaam what his course of action should be.
Numbers 22:35 (KJV)
“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.” (Numbers 22:35, KJV)
This verse is part of the larger narrative about Balaam’s journey and his interaction with King Balak’s emissaries. At this point, Balaam has had his eyes opened to the angel’s presence and the seriousness of his mission. The angel tells him to continue his journey with Balak’s princes but warns him that he can only speak the words that God tells him to speak.
Numbers 22:35 Meaning
To fully understand the meaning of Numbers 22:35, we need to break down this verse and consider the important themes and actions involved.
“Go with the Men”
In this part of the verse, the angel tells Balaam to continue traveling with the princes of Balak, despite the fact that Balaam had already been confronted by the angel in his journey. God’s instructions were clear: Balaam was allowed to go with Balak’s men, but only with the understanding that he was to obey God’s commands.
At first glance, it may seem like the angel’s permission to continue was a change of direction. But in reality, God had already allowed Balaam to go earlier, under the condition that he would speak only what God commanded. The angel’s reiteration of the command reminds Balaam that his mission is not to act according to his own desires or King Balak’s wishes but to speak only the word of God.
“But Only the Word that I Shall Speak Unto Thee, That Thou Shalt Speak”
This phrase is crucial in understanding the limitations and authority Balaam must adhere to. The angel emphasizes that Balaam can only speak what God tells him to say. This is a reminder of God’s sovereignty over Balaam’s actions and the control God has over the situation. Despite Balaam’s desires and despite Balak’s requests, only God’s will can prevail.
This phrase is significant because it highlights a major theme in the Bible: obedience to God’s will. It doesn’t matter what other people ask or expect of us. What matters is that we remain faithful to God and speak His truth, even when it is inconvenient or goes against the desires of others.
Balaam had been given the opportunity to act according to his own will earlier, but now God had made it clear: the words Balaam speaks must come from God alone, reflecting the importance of obedience and submission to divine authority.
“So Balaam Went with the Princes of Balak”
Finally, Balaam complies with the angel’s command. Despite his previous frustration and his doubts, Balaam now follows the instructions given to him. This part of the verse highlights Balaam’s submission to God’s will. Though Balaam had initially been eager to go with the princes of Balak, God’s clear intervention shows that Balaam could only continue his journey under God’s terms.
This submission to God’s command reflects a central biblical theme: when God calls us to follow His will, we are to do so without hesitation or compromise. Balaam’s obedience is a crucial step in ensuring that God’s purposes will be fulfilled, not through human manipulation or desire, but through divine guidance.
Numbers 22:35 Application in Life
There are several key lessons from this verse that we can apply in our own lives.
Obey God’s Commands
Balaam’s experience in Numbers 22:35 teaches us the importance of obeying God’s commands, no matter what other people may ask or expect of us. God’s will is often different from the desires of others, and we must remain faithful to His direction, even when it seems difficult.
In life, we may encounter situations where people try to persuade us to go in one direction or speak in a way that aligns with their desires. However, God calls us to be obedient to His word above all else. Balaam’s story serves as a reminder that we must listen carefully to God’s voice and obey His instructions, even when it goes against the wishes of others.
Submission to God’s Sovereignty
Another important lesson from this verse is the need to submit to God’s sovereignty. Balaam was reminded by the angel that he could only speak what God told him to speak. This highlights the reality that God is the ultimate authority, and we must submit to His will.
In our own lives, we must remember that God’s ways are higher than ours. His plan for our lives is perfect, and we must trust that His timing and direction are always for our good. When we submit to God’s sovereignty, we are acknowledging that He knows best and that we are willing to trust in His plan, even when we don’t fully understand it.
Trust in God’s Timing
Balaam’s journey is marked by moments of delay, frustration, and unexpected turns, but through it all, God was guiding him. While Balaam may have wanted to act more quickly or according to his own desires, God’s plan was unfolding in His own time. Balaam had to wait for God’s direction and trust that God would reveal His will at the right moment.
Similarly, we must learn to trust God’s timing in our own lives. We may face situations where we want immediate answers or action, but God’s timing is perfect. He knows the right moment for everything, and we must trust Him even when it seems like things are taking longer than expected.
God Uses Obedience for His Purpose
Even though Balaam was a prophet who had been hired to curse Israel, God used his obedience to speak truth. Despite Balaam’s initial hesitations, God’s sovereignty remained, and He used Balaam’s actions to ultimately bless the Israelites rather than curse them. God’s plan for Balaam was much bigger than his own desires, and this serves as a reminder that God often uses our obedience to fulfill His purpose in ways we cannot foresee.
In our own lives, our obedience to God might seem small or insignificant, but it is often part of a bigger plan that God is orchestrating. Just as Balaam’s obedience led to a greater purpose — the protection and blessing of Israel — our obedience can have far-reaching effects in fulfilling God’s will on earth.
Conclusion
Numbers 22:35 provides important insights into obedience, submission to God’s will, and trusting in His sovereignty. Balaam’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that God’s commands should always take precedence over human desires and that our obedience to Him can be used to fulfill His greater purposes. We must remain faithful to God’s direction, trust in His timing, and recognize that His sovereignty will guide us toward His perfect will.
As we navigate our own lives, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control, and by following His commands, we can be part of the greater story He is writing. Let us learn from Balaam’s experience and strive to be obedient, faithful, and submissive to God’s will, knowing that He will use our obedience to carry out His purposes on earth.
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