The book of Numbers chronicles the journey of Israel through the wilderness and their eventual approach to the Promised Land. But in Numbers 23, we are given a glimpse into a profound moment of divine sovereignty and grace that points directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In this chapter, Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites, but instead, God uses him to bless them. This interaction is not just a historical event; it is a prophetic declaration of the unchangeable nature of God’s promises, promises that find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The Context of Numbers 23
In the preceding chapters, Israel is poised on the edge of the Promised Land, but their arrival is met with hostility from the Moabites, led by King Balak. Fearing the power of Israel, Balak sends for Balaam, a prophet renowned for his ability to bless or curse others. Balak believes that if Balaam curses Israel, they will be defeated. However, Balaam’s story takes a dramatic turn as God intervenes.
When Balaam goes to deliver a curse, he can only speak words of blessing over Israel. Three times, he attempts to curse Israel, and three times, God fills his mouth with blessings instead. In Numbers 23:8, Balaam declares, “How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?” Despite Balak’s insistence, Balaam is compelled by God to speak only truth—God’s unchangeable blessing over Israel. And within this passage, we see a shadow of the unchangeable promises that God has made, not only to Israel but to all who are in Christ Jesus.
The Unchanging Blessing of God’s Promise
At the heart of Balaam’s prophecy lies an important declaration about God’s promises. In Numbers 23:19, Balaam says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” This is a profound revelation of God’s nature—He is unchanging, faithful, and reliable. Unlike human beings, who are often fickle and prone to changing their minds, God’s promises remain steadfast.
The apostle Paul echoes this truth in 2 Corinthians 1:20 when he writes, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” The promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Balaam declared that God’s promises are unchangeable, Paul affirms that Jesus is the “Yes” to all of God’s promises. Jesus is the ultimate blessing of God’s promise, and His work on the cross secures the fulfillment of every divine promise for those who are in Him.
Jesus: The Ultimate Fulfillment of God’s Promises
Looking at Numbers 23 through the lens of the New Testament, it becomes clear that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the blessings that God spoke over Israel. God promised Abraham that through his descendants, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). This promise, though initially given to Israel, finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the seed of Abraham, came not only to bless Israel but to extend God’s blessing to the entire world.
In the words of Balaam, we find that God has “not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor seen perverseness in Israel” (Numbers 23:21). While Israel was often unfaithful, God’s covenant with them remained intact because of His grace and faithfulness. This foreshadows the perfect righteousness that Jesus would bring to His people. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the embodiment of God’s unchanging promise. As 2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.”
What Balaam could not have fully understood was that the blessing he spoke over Israel was not merely for the Israelites of his time but was a prophecy pointing to Jesus, who would ultimately secure God’s promise for all who believe. In Jesus, God’s “Yes” to the promises of salvation, righteousness, peace, and eternal life is realized. He is the true and unchangeable blessing that the world so desperately needs.
The Unchangeability of God’s Blessing
One of the most powerful aspects of Numbers 23 is the emphasis on the unchangeability of God’s blessing. When God speaks a word, it is not subject to revision or alteration. In a world where circumstances change, where governments rise and fall, and where human relationships are often marked by uncertainty, God’s promises remain rock-solid.
This unchanging nature of God’s promises should give us great assurance. In Christ, we have the confidence that God will fulfill every promise He has made. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust that God’s word is steadfast. Just as Balaam could not alter God’s blessing over Israel, no circumstance can alter God’s plan for those who are in Christ Jesus. His promises are “Yes” in Jesus, and our response is to say “Amen”—so be it!
The Blessing of God’s Promise in Our Lives
As believers, we are recipients of the blessings that Balaam unknowingly prophesied over Israel. In Christ, we have been made partakers of the promises of God. We are blessed with forgiveness of sins, adoption as God’s children, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of eternal life. These blessings are not based on our ability to keep God’s law but are secured through the finished work of Jesus.
This means that our identity and security do not rest in our circumstances, our performance, or our ability to “earn” God’s favor. Instead, they rest on the unchangeable promises of God. No matter what comes our way, we can hold fast to the truth that in Christ, God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen.”
Conclusion
In Numbers 23, we find a powerful reminder of the unchangeable nature of God’s promises. Balaam’s words, spoken over Israel, are not just an ancient blessing for a distant people; they are a prophetic declaration pointing to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. In Christ, all the promises of God are “Yes,” and we can rest in the certainty that God will fulfill His word.
The blessing of God’s promise is not something that can be taken away or altered by human will. It is an eternal, unchangeable truth that finds its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ. As we stand in Him, we stand in the fullness of God’s promises—blessed, secure, and guaranteed by the finished work of our Savior. So, let us proclaim with joy and confidence, “Amen” to the unchangeable blessing of God’s promise!
