Numbers 22:20 - God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.”
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What does "Numbers 22:20" mean?
Numbers 22:20 reveals a pivotal moment in the story of Balaam. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
God's Initial Hesitation: In the preceding verses, Balak, the king of Moab, sends messengers with gifts, asking Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse the Israelites because they are a threat. Initially, Balaam asks the messengers to stay overnight while he seeks God's will. God tells Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12). This clearly demonstrates God's initial disapproval of Balaam going to curse Israel.
Second Encounter and Qualified Permission: Verse 20 describes a second encounter. God visits Balaam at night. The wording is carefully phrased. God says, "If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do."
"If the men have come to call you...": This condition implies that if the messengers were merely staying put and not actively urging Balaam to leave, he should remain. This emphasizes the importance of being invited and pursued rather than eagerly seeking the opportunity to act against God's chosen people.
"...rise up, go with them...": This gives Balaam permission to go, but it's not a ringing endorsement. It's a conditional permission, a concession rather than a blessing.
"...but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.": This is the crucial caveat. God is allowing Balaam to go, but with the strict command that he can only speak what God instructs him to speak. This is a test for Balaam. It will reveal whether he's truly obedient to God or motivated by greed and the desire to please Balak.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
God's Sovereignty: God is ultimately in control. Even when He allows Balaam to go, He maintains absolute authority over what Balaam can say. This underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to use even reluctant or morally ambiguous individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Balaam's Character: This verse foreshadows the central conflict of the story. Balaam is tempted by Balak's riches and the potential for power. He wants to curse Israel, but God is restricting him. The rest of the narrative will demonstrate Balaam's struggle between obedience to God and his own ambition.
Testing of Obedience: The conditional permission serves as a test for Balaam. Will he genuinely submit to God's will and speak only what God commands, even if it means disappointing Balak and forfeiting the promised rewards?
Warning against Misinterpretation: The verse is often debated by theologians. Some argue that God changed his mind, but the wording suggests more of a controlled allowance than a complete reversal. God is permitting Balaam to go as a test, knowing that Balaam will ultimately be forced to bless Israel.
In essence, Numbers 22:20 sets the stage for the ensuing drama. It highlights God's control, reveals the complexities of Balaam's character, and establishes the critical condition: Balaam can go, but he must speak only God's words. The verse is significant because it shows that God can still work through imperfect people, but they must remain obedient to his will. It's a story of temptation, obedience, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes.
Numbers 22:20 - God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.”
What does "Numbers 22:20" mean?
Numbers 22:20 reveals a pivotal moment in the story of Balaam. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
God's Initial Hesitation: In the preceding verses, Balak, the king of Moab, sends messengers with gifts, asking Balaam, a renowned diviner, to curse the Israelites because they are a threat. Initially, Balaam asks the messengers to stay overnight while he seeks God's will. God tells Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12). This clearly demonstrates God's initial disapproval of Balaam going to curse Israel.
Second Encounter and Qualified Permission: Verse 20 describes a second encounter. God visits Balaam at night. The wording is carefully phrased. God says, "If the men have come to call you, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do."
"If the men have come to call you...": This condition implies that if the messengers were merely staying put and not actively urging Balaam to leave, he should remain. This emphasizes the importance of being invited and pursued rather than eagerly seeking the opportunity to act against God's chosen people.
"...rise up, go with them...": This gives Balaam permission to go, but it's not a ringing endorsement. It's a conditional permission, a concession rather than a blessing.
"...but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do.": This is the crucial caveat. God is allowing Balaam to go, but with the strict command that he can only speak what God instructs him to speak. This is a test for Balaam. It will reveal whether he's truly obedient to God or motivated by greed and the desire to please Balak.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
God's Sovereignty: God is ultimately in control. Even when He allows Balaam to go, He maintains absolute authority over what Balaam can say. This underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to use even reluctant or morally ambiguous individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Balaam's Character: This verse foreshadows the central conflict of the story. Balaam is tempted by Balak's riches and the potential for power. He wants to curse Israel, but God is restricting him. The rest of the narrative will demonstrate Balaam's struggle between obedience to God and his own ambition.
Testing of Obedience: The conditional permission serves as a test for Balaam. Will he genuinely submit to God's will and speak only what God commands, even if it means disappointing Balak and forfeiting the promised rewards?
Warning against Misinterpretation: The verse is often debated by theologians. Some argue that God changed his mind, but the wording suggests more of a controlled allowance than a complete reversal. God is permitting Balaam to go as a test, knowing that Balaam will ultimately be forced to bless Israel.
In essence, Numbers 22:20 sets the stage for the ensuing drama. It highlights God's control, reveals the complexities of Balaam's character, and establishes the critical condition: Balaam can go, but he must speak only God's words. The verse is significant because it shows that God can still work through imperfect people, but they must remain obedient to his will. It's a story of temptation, obedience, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes.