“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it? Behold, I have received His command to bless [Israel]. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it….When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel,… he set his face toward the wilderness (desert). And Balaam raised his eyes and he saw Israel living in their tents tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came on him…”And he said: “… the oracle of the man whose eye is opened [at last, to see clearly the purpose and will of God], …How fair are your tents, O Jacob, And your tabernacles, O Israel!…Blessed [of God] is he who blesses you, And cursed [of God] is he who curses you.””
Numbers 23:19-20 , 24:1–3,5,9 AMP
Beautiful, blessed Israel. I cannot explain why. I don’t understand it myself, but I love Israel and the Jewish people. I’ve been fortunate to go to Israel twice – and both times it wasn’t long enough. Even now I long to be in the Land. On both trips, everywhere I looked my heart swelled with love and a cry rose within me, “how beautiful are your tents oh Israel!”
We each have things we feel passionately about. and I believe those passions often come from Him. Balaam lifted up his eyes towards the wilderness, and when he saw the tents, G-d opened Balaam’s spiritual eyes to reveal His will. G-d turned and changed Balaam’s heart.
Likewise, I believe G-d placed the love I have for Israel and His people in my heart. There is a principle in the Word of G-d surrounding Israel and the Jewish people – His chosen land, His chosen people.
I’ve heard people in the “church” speak of replacement theology – basically saying anywhere the Bible says “Israel” we can replace it with the “church” as we understand it today. It’s simply not true.
G-d made a covenant with Abram and confirmed it time and time again. G-d is not a man that He should lie or change His mind. He doesn’t hate Israel – He loves her. He hasn’t rejected or cast off the Jewish people – He loves them.
To walk fully in His way requires that I love what He loves – and that means Israel and His People.
With the rise of antisemitism, this passage burned in my heart today. Whatever I face – whatever I encounter – may my eye be opened [at last, to see clearly the purpose and will of God].
Father – You are faithful and unchanging. Open my eyes to see Your purpose and Your will so I may respond how You would have me. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Numbers 23-25