Engaging in Mission not Instruction

Scripture: Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him. Numbers 24:1-2

Observation: Finally, Balak takes Balaam to a mountain that can overlook the entire Israel camp. At this sight, Balaam is no longer in need of his tricky ways to discern instructions of God, but the Spirit comes upon him and he prophesizes about Israel, including the downfall of Moab, Edom, the Amalekites, and Kenites. It is revealed to him that this nation camped in tents is so blessed by God, that any and all enemies that come against them will be destroyed.

Balaam ultimately speaks true prophesy about a future leader coming from Israel who will rule all other nations. He speaks true prophesy about how blessing will flow from Israel, those who bless him will be blessed, and those who curse him will be cursed. He speaks true prophesy about future dynasties that will subdue Israel but then be subdued by this future purpose.

In other words, Balaam goes from using spiritualism to hear God's instruction, to being filled with the Holy Spirit to see God's vision for Israel and all of mankind.

Application: How awesome it must have been to stand on a cliff, and see a camp of ... 1.4 million ish? ... in orderly formation around a tabernacle, filled with a supernatural pillar of smoke and light, and realizing this is more than just a hoard of people figuring out where to live. This is the people of the Lord, blessed and guided and protected, and there is no established nation now or in the future that can be sustained without positive interaction with the Lord and by extension his people.

Balaam sees this, and opens his heart to the Lord. He changes from one who simply tries to hear facts from God, to one who partners with God in his purposes.

This is the Spirit I seek ... one where I can join with God in his purposes here on earth. And perhaps that is the Spirit I have received ... not one that hears short fragments of instructive words, but one that gets to engage in evangelical work to help others hear about Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I seek today your Spirit more and more, but in this manner. May I be part of your purpose and work on earth. Amen.