Only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. Rom 3:9-31

 Romans 3 opened with this statement, “then what's the advantage of being a Jew?” To the Jew-hating racist, this rant is a part of their bye-laws.

It is obvious that chapter three opens in the middle of a conversation and I can see the need to find out what the conversation is. As chapter two comes to an end, we come to understand that the Jews received the law. Most perceive the law as an ominous thing, but if you take this train of thought back to the original ten commandments it boils down to this, love God, love on people, and do the right thing. Loving on people doesn't seem all that ominous.

Did you ever wonder why God felt the need to “oppress” these people He just rescued out of Egypt with what eventually became over 600 laws?

First, it was the Jewish religion that came up with a vast number of laws. Secondly, in trying to explain why I think God had to quickly bring the hammer down on these people, I will be polite and say perhaps it is oppressive because anyone who reads attentively about this event in Exodus, which parallels with Stephen's testimony before the Jewish council, as seen in the book of Acts, you can come to the conclusion that the greatest majority of them were effectively Egyptians and had NO understanding or faith in God.

If you read my last post on Romans 3, then you also know that they were not Jews. The entirety of the story which includes the birth of Moses leaves me scratching my head as I try to figure out how Moses' birth mother was able to hold to the oral heritage, that at minimum went back to Jacob and his twelve sons. When I read through the chain of events that brought Jacob and the family into Egypt, it almost seems as though God dissipated into the background.

Assuming that you struggle with what I just said, consider the generations of your own family, where the great grandparents may have held tightly to the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and yet just a couple of generations later the God of my grandparents is rarely mentioned unless it is used as a curse against another human. If it weren't for God reintroducing Himself to Moses, we might not be having these discussions.

That being said, does being the proud owners of the law, capable of reciting so much of it, make you righteous?

No, it does not. Paul tells us that it is the doers of the law that are right with God; and, what a great mystery, like the Gentiles, who may not have been privy to these laws, still seem to obey those laws. At this point, we call this a moral standard and many of the Gentile world is living by it. Paul tells us this happens because God has written this moral standard – laws, upon the heart of every human.

How did this happen?

We are, every one of us, created in God's image [This is the point at which many of you should start spitting on yourself as you try to disown and separate yourself from the God you claim to hate.]; and God's image - His nature or character if you will, has that moral standard built-in. It is who He is. Wow, no wonder, even with all the evil you have done, Satan has been trying to kill you. You look like a child of God and you didn't even know it.

With that let's continue with Romans 3.

Romans 3:9 NLT  Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.

Notice that Paul's focus is upon the Jewish reader who has accepted Jesus Christ as the longed-for Messiah. Just the fact that these brothers can claim Jewish heritage, for most, gives them a sense of pride and righteousness. [My Jewish heritage dissipates into the background because it comes through my grandfather, and for some reason, which I don't understand, disavows me as a Jew.] Having excoriated this church body, and by extension the global community of Jewish believers, you are NOT gaining an advantage merely because you hold to laws.

Dare I say, just because Paul tore into them, then I get to be elevated because I too am a believer and have faith in Jesus?

Paul says, NO, NOT AT ALL, because we are all under the power of sin. I have actually sat in church long enough to get the impression that merely because I came to Jesus all of my nasty habits and the trail of carnage I created just goes away.

Are you kidding me, what did Paul just say?

“all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.”

Like I have mentioned in previous posts, people in Recovery, even if it has been 15 plus years, know that the sin that so easily besets them is lurking out there waiting to lure them back into captivity.

Romans 3:10-18 NLT

(10)  As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.

(11)  No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.

(12)  All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

(13)  “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.”

(14)  “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

(15)  “They rush to commit murder.

(16)  Destruction and misery always follow them.

(17)  They don’t know where to find peace.”

(18)  “They have no fear of God at all.”

Well, that was discouraging and it is without hope. We will get there.

Romans 3:19-20 NLT  Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.  (20)  For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

So, we are all on the same playing field, and we are all sinful.

Romans 3:21 NLT  But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.

Without the keeping of the law?

Hold up a minute. How did this law thing start? With ten commandments that told us to love God, people, and to act right. That never went away and besides, those commandments are a part of that moral fiber that speaks you constantly, whether you obey those laws or not.

So how do we get to be right in God's eyes?

Romans 3:22-23 NLT  We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  (23)  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Oh, and by the way, “this is true for everyone who believes,” because everyone has sinned and, therefore, falls short of God's standard.

Perhaps another way of looking at this is to see us all as being genetically damaged. This genetic damage is undetectable since it is a common marker throughout the DNA of all humanity; and, few will contemplate the idea that we got this damage from Adam and that he became damaged by eating that fruit. Many refuse to believe that our DNA can be damaged or modified by something we put into our bodies – this is happening as we speak through the global mRNA injections.

Our situation is really quite hopeless unless we have a savior, and we do – it is Jesus Christ, the one who put Himself on the cross for us. He paid the sin debt and made us acceptable in God's sight. As Pastor JD Farag of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, Hawaii, says, “But God.” God is always there and has a plan.

Romans 3:24-25 NLT  Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  (25)  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

People have asked, why didn't God just destroy Satan, throw away Adam and Eve – as they were obviously broken, and start over?

The answer is right there in the passage above, and it has everything to do with this moral character that makes Him who He is, a God that cannot lie – and you will find no untruth in Him. Genesis tells us that God gave Adam dominion over all the earth. You will rarely hear anyone tell you how extensive this dominion was. Adam's eyes were wide open when he handed control of the earth to Satan. Satan, from that moment forward, had legal control over the earth, and Adam had sinned. By God's law, the wages of sin was death, and no one has been able to escape that legal demand.

So God, through the legal process which has been there before time began though not so evident to the Gentiles, inserted His Son into the earth, free from the genetic alterations that embedded sin within us, and beat Satan at his own game by becoming the unblemished lamb, the sacrifice for sin; and, rose from the dead to be the high priest that poured His blood over us, freeing us from the debt that sin demanded.

We are now free to follow Jesus back to the Father. Of course, while we live on this earth, none of us are free from death, but we will be once we are in the presence of the Father, and it is this change that we see in 1 Corinthians 15:52 that makes that happen.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:52 

“ God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Verse 25 states, “ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.”

If you had not been walking through Romans like this, would you have understood that this is referring to Christ's journey from the cross to the throne?

I am not sure I fully understand why, but occasionally I have to remind myself that the full journey, which was necessary for us, took Him into hell, and up to the throne room in heaven – the pattern for the one here on earth.(Hebrews speaks of this.)

Romans 3:26 NLT  for he (God) was looking ahead and including them (The Gentiles) in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

In speaking to the Jews he says,

“Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.” Romans 3:27 NLT 

Why would Paul feel a need to say something like this, unless it was common for the Jews to boast about how superior they were?

Who were they boasting to?

The Gentile believers who were a part of this combined body in Christ.

Romans 3:28 CJB  “Therefore, we hold the view that a person comes to be considered righteous by God on the ground of trusting, which has nothing to do with legalistic observance of Torah commands.”

Doesn't it make sense, based on the terminology in the verse above, that the context of this letter, has in part, the heart and actions of Jewish believers?

“Or is God the God of the Jews only?

Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles?

Yes, he is indeed the God of the Gentiles;”

(Romans 3:29 CJB)

Even if it causes you to choke.

“because, as you will admit, God is one. Therefore, he will consider righteous the circumcised on the ground of trusting and the uncircumcised through that same trusting.”(Romans 3:30 CJB)

The terminology “God is one, was a Jewish understanding.

"GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies enthroned over the cherubim-angels, you are God, the only God there is, God of all kingdoms on earth. You made heaven and earth. (Isaiah 37:16 MSG)

And lastly, for those who think that grace removes all responsibility from their lives.

Romans 3:31 NLT  “Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.”

Amen!

Heirs with Christ, Romans 8:12-16

We ended our last study with this:

Romans 8:9-11 NLT But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  (10)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  (11)  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Take a moment to let these truths about you, sink in.

• You are NOT controlled by your sinful nature.
• You are controlled by the Spirit – IF you have the Spirit of God living in you.
  How did or do we get the Spirit of God to live inside of us? Through faith.
• And (because) Christ lives in you, even though your body may die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.
• The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
  Job 19:27 NLT I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
• And, just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
  Everything Paul said, was based in the Torah and Tenach, here is an example: Isaiah 26:19 NLT But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!

Romans 8:12 – 17 entitles this next section,

Heirs with Christ

As we open the new section, I find this opening statement so powerful that it takes my breath away.

Romans 8:12 NLT  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.

The KJV version uses a variation from the NLT.

“We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.”

We don't owe Satan anything, for he has NO hold on us IF we are in Christ. That statement includes all the stupid stunts we have pulled after receiving Christ.

Romans 8:13 Williams  “for if you live by such a standard, you are going to die, but if by the Spirit you put a stop to the doings of your lower nature, you will live.”

What standard is the Williams translation speaking of? The one that the flesh sets for us, one in which we do what the flesh demands. Look, once again, at what Paul said in Romans 8:6.

Romans 8:6 Williams  “For to be thinking the things suggested by the lower nature means death, but to be thinking the things suggested by the Spirit means life and peace.”

Is it as “harsh” as what Adam had when God said to him, you are not to eat from, nor touch the tree? If merely pondering the things my flesh suggests means death, then I am surprised that I have lived this long. Obviously, death is something more than just physical?

Romans 8:13b. CJB  For if you live according to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if by the Spirit, you keep putting to death the practices of the body, you will live.

Death seems inevitable, that is, unless you, by the Spirit put the practices of the flesh to death.

Things to note here:

• Death does not necessarily mean a physical end to life, although it can. The Complete Jewish Bible added the phrase “keep putting.”

The Greek word is thanatoō, and it means to cause...to be put to death, made to die, and putting to death. The Amplified Bible uses the word habitually to convey the message.

All of these definitions are indicative of a combat-ready attitude or a fighting mentality.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Keep in mind that you are NOT fighting against flesh and blood; you are battling against demonic forces, allied with Satan. The purpose is that you take a proactive stance against the enemy's attacks against you. These attacks have everything to do with what your body and mind want to do, such as road rage, retaliation, throwing a tantrum, or pursuing some addictive behavior.

Let's assume that you have taken this proactive behavior, and you are trying to stave off the enemy's attacks, which often look like people. 
Are you winning? 
If it seems like you are not, then here is a piece of information that might help.

Ephesians 6:13c-14 NASB Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

• Verse 13 ends with “stand firm.” Why? Because you have done everything, you know how to do.
  Does the story end there? No.

The Moffatt's translation tells us to continue to hold our ground :

Ephesians 6:14 Moffatt NT (14) Hold your ground, tighten the belt of truth about your loins, wear integrity as your coat of mail,

I suggest you read Ephesians chapter six through to the end, as it defines our spiritual armor in detail.

If you live, what will that look like for you?

You may only see what this world has to offer, and that falls pathetically short of God's kingdom. But if you said, I will live in eternity, with the Father, wrapped in peace, then you would be correct.

Romans 8:14 Moffatt NT For the sons of God are those who are guided by the Spirit of God.

The NASB states,

Romans 8:14 NASB For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Alternative words for led are driven or induced. Don't you see the fallacy of you having control? God has His hand upon us, in the form of the Holy Spirit, all the time, and the fact that you are being led proves that you are a son of God.

If you, as Paul did, submitted yourself to Jesus Christ like a slave, then you are guided by that same Spirit of God.

Romans 8:15 NLT  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Yes, I posted a verse that uses the term slave. There is hardly a reasonable human that sees slavery as anything other than fearful. The concept of slavery is nothing less than dismal, that is unless things go well for you, and you long to stay in what you feel is “a protected and loving” environment as a bond-servant. This slavery is the portrayal of the person that we see in scripture voluntarily having their ear pierced as an indication that they have given themselves over permanently to their owners.

Exodus 21:5-6 KJV  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:  (6) Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

Deuteronomy 15:15-17 KJV  And you shalt remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you: therefore I command you this thing today.  (16)  And it shall be, if he says unto you, I will not go away from you; because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you;  (17)  Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be your servant forever. And also unto your maidservant, you shalt do likewise.

Fortunately, our relationship with God is never that harsh, and the idea of being a bond-servant is purely voluntary. Many think they have walked away from God's ownership, but I do not believe that is possible as God certainly can keep track of those who belong to Him.

Romans 8:16 MKJV  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

• “The Spirit Himself”
  Spirit is pneuma and means a current of air. We saw this show up when the disciples, all gathered in one place, heard a rushing might wind, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. It is also God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the life of God himself.
• “bears witness with our spirit.”
  “Bears” is the Greek word summartureō and means to testify jointly, corroborate by concurrent evidence, testify unto, and bear witness with.
  This next one puzzles me. The idea of our spirit aligns itself, in my mind, with the original creation, where God made man in His own image. Genesis 1:26-27 NASB Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (27) God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
  
  
  Look at John, chapter 4, where it defines what God is.
  John 4:24 NASB, "God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
  
  
  If God is a spirit, and man is made in His image, then humans, at their core, are spirits too.
  
  
  The definition of God and His spirit are the same word – pneuma. How is it possible that a living, breathing entity that can come to the earth in the same form as us can be what seems like little more than a breath? I suppose that is the mystery of God.
  
  
• “that we are the children of God.”

                               Children are the Greek word téknon, meaning to bring forth (as in a) child.

So, God, after years of damage and rebellion on our part, still leans on the fact that we were created in His image, that and the fact that we, as believers, have His Spirit in us, that makes us those who have been brought forth. No decent human should throw aside their progeny, and yet we do, but NOT God. He sought us out and made way for our return to His side.

Micah 6:1-5, Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the LORD.

I don't know about you, but after a long string of bad news, both scripturally and personally, I am ready for some good news; but that is not the case in Micah.

Our high point came when Micah spoke of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. When we covered that section, I tried to show you how the priesthood, at the time of Jesus birth, had trained shepherds that cared for the sheep born in that specific region because these sheep were to be the sacrificial sheep and could have no spot or blemish. Jesus, who was to become the lamb that would be slain for the sins of the world, could not have any spot or blemish. In God's ironic and humorous world, his lamb was born here. Those specially trained shepherds were also taught the Torah and Tanakh and knew the signs that would signify the birth of the Messiah. Perhaps this is why they came with haste, as they understood the significance of their skill sets and presence.

When Herod, almost two years after the birth of Jesus Christ, saw the Wise men coming, with their entourage, panicked and called the chief priests and elders for an explanation. They knew exactly why these men had come, and yet denied that this child born in Bethlehem was their king. Herod ignored their unbelief, and after the wise men left he had the male children two and under murdered, to eliminate anyone competing with him for power.

What do we learn from this? Predominantly, the religious leadership denied the Messiah and taught others to reject Him as well. This concept can help with your understanding of what God is now saying to Israel.

Micah 6:1-5 NASB Hear now what the LORD is saying, "Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice. (2) "Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because the LORD has a case against His people; Even with Israel He will dispute. (3) "My people, what have I done to you, And how have I wearied you? Answer Me. (4) "Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt And ransomed you from the house of slavery, And I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam. (5) "My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And from Shittim to Gilgal so that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD."

How do I understand verse 1?

• “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice.”

If it seems odd that God is speaking to the mountains, perhaps this passage in Deuteronomy will demonstrate how common it is for God to do this.

Deuteronomy 30:19 NASB "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

God called heaven and earth to witness against the persons who decided not to follow God's law. Are you telling me that these things we see as inanimate objects bear witness to what we say and do? Apparently, our perceptions of what God created are wrong, for Jesus told the Pharisees, if the disciples stopped crying out in praise for Him, the rocks would immediately cry out in their place. You can look this up in Luke 19:39-40 NASB.

Verse two shows God addressing the mountains.

• “Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because the LORD has a case against His people; Even with Israel He will dispute.”

So the mountains sit in witness against us. Look at what Isaiah has to say.

Isaiah 1:2-4 NASB Listen, O heavens, and hear O earth; For the LORD speaks, "Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. (3) "An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand." (4) Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him.

• “ Sons I have reared and brought up,”
• “have revolted against Me.”

He compares us to oxen and donkeys (Donkeys are a polite way of saying Jackasses.)

• “An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, But Israel does not know,”

He calls Israel a-

• “ People weighed down with iniquity,”

The direct, politically incorrect, speech continues, as God tells them straight, how He feels and understands their actions.

• Offspring of evildoers,
• Sons who act corruptly!
• They have abandoned the LORD,
• They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
• They have turned away from Him.

The words seem so harsh, but are they? Yes, but how do I know this? It is like studying a great painting. As the student, you have read the criticisms and admiration's bestowed upon this particular painting, and as you stand there taking it all in slowly, you become aware of every brush stroke, and, in some cases, the motivation behind the work; such is the case with God's word.

Verse three of Micah chapter six says this:
“My people, what have I done to you, And how have I wearied you? Answer Me.”

God answers his own question in verse 4.

• “Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt And ransomed you from the house of slavery, And I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam,”

The logical response, in my mind, would be to understand freedom as a good thing. There is, however, an event that takes place in the hearts and minds of captives - that would be all of us, and it is called the Stockholm syndrome. A simplistic definition is this: “Feelings of trust or affection felt in many cases of kidnapping or hostage-taking by a victim toward a captor.” It seems that this was the case with God's people. Their immediate reactions were to revert to the known ways of Egypt; based on this information I claim they were effectively Egyptians, for, by the time they were escorted out of Egypt, they were nothing more than abused slaves.

How or why would they have feelings of affections for Egypt?
We all do it, we fall into a comfort zone, even though it includes pain and bondage. Welcome to the world of bondage and addictions.

The last thing we read in this section of scripture is this:

• “.. remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

First, I want you to see a context here. God had just finished saying, “I brought you up from the land of Egypt And ransomed you from the house of slavery.” But, this event with Balaam and Balak has no good associated with it that I can see, such as their rescue from Egypt. Let me show you.

So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. (Numbers 22:3,4 NASB)

"So he (Balak) sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor (a “prophet” for hire), at Pethor, which is near the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, "Behold, a people came out of Egypt; behold, they cover the surface of the land, and they are living opposite me. "Now, therefore, please come, curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed." (Numbers 22:5,6 NASB)

So here we have the motivation behind Balak's request/demand. There is nothing noble in the scenario; however, the verse opened with, “My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him.” I do not think that the admonition itself is a positive one, but one that causes you to remember what happened as a result of Balaam's response to Balak.

(Numbers 22:7 NASB) So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him.

God intervened for Israel (this was not their title as yet,) and withstood Balaam through speech and actions on multiple occasions. Even though they brought money, Balaam refused. Do not think for a second that this man is to be thought of highly.

(Numbers 22:14-15 NASB) The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us." Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and more distinguished than the former.

The third time, God used Balaam donkey to speak to the man.
(For the sake of drama and color, I will add, that God used the man's jackass to address him. Apparently, mule speak was the man's language.)
Oh yes, there was also an angel of immense proportions waving a sword in front of Balaam, and God let him see that. The passages are rather lengthy, and I will let you look them up for yourself. (Numbers 22:22-34 NASB)

In a strange turn of events, God gave Balaam the green to light to speak to Balak, or so it seems, and Balak continued to push Balaam. In the middle of this Balaam said the most amazing piece of truth, and it goes like this:

Numbers 23:19 NASB "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?

These words from Numbers 23:19 are some of the greatest validations that we have for God's character and nature.

Balaam continued to speak.
"Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it. (21) "He has not observed misfortune in Jacob; Nor has He seen trouble in Israel; The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a king is among them. (22) "God brings them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. (23) "For there is no omen against Jacob, Nor is there any divination against Israel; At the proper time, it shall be said to Jacob And to Israel, what God has done! (24) "Behold, a people rises like a lioness, And as a lion it lifts itself; It will not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain." Numbers 23:20-24 NASB

They sound invincible, don't they, and yet, they were not. Balaam continued to pour out blessing upon Jacob and God's people. Balak, of course, was infuriated. Do not cut Balaam any slack for there is this:

Revelation 2:14 NASB 'But I have a few things against you because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.

Strangely, we don't see this teaching portrayed in the story about Balaam that the book of Numbers conveys to us, and yet, there it is.

2 Peter 2:15 says this:
“forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”

Balaam's words spoke of end times events and how one would come forth, things which stand as monuments in biblical prophecy, but look at how Numbers chapter 25 opens.

While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel. (Numbers 25:1-3 NASB)

What is my take away from Micah 6:1-5 -
God's question, “what have I done to you, And how have I wearied you? And His response to that question, remember.

These words remind me of a worship song from a few years ago, that says, “I remind myself of all that you've done.” Burdened by the, often, fiery trials that come along, it is easy to forget that God brought us out, and what He brought us out of. In our forgetting, our immaturity often kicks in, and we go back to the comfortable but deadly stuff, like alcohol or rage simply because it numbs the mind, and we don't have to think anymore.


 God never told you to shut your brain down. He says come to me, and I will give you rest. I find no shame in telling you that I picture a large glowing man with no face, sitting on His throne, and holding out his arms to me, as He beckons me to come rest on His lap and lean against His chest. When I do that, I find peace and words of comfort; and there, He tells me that I am loved, wanted, and cared for. Words like this are the things I have longed to hear all my life. He is love, and I have come to know and love this nature and character I have found in him.