As I have been reading through the books of the law, I am overwhelmed that despite Israel’s sins and complaining, God is so good to keep His promises and bless His people.

I wanted to take a deep dive into what this says about God and His nature. There is so much to learn about His faithful and loving character.

In the middle, of all of it, making the Christ connection and how this is so relevant to me has made my heart grateful all over again. I hope and pray that this is encouraging to you as well dear reader.

Context and Summary of Numbers 22-25

Before we get started, I would really encourage you to read Numbers 22-25 in its entirety if you have not already. I am going to give a brief summary of the main players, acts, and themes.

As Israel journeys toward the Promised Land, they camp near Moab after defeating the Amorites. The Moabite king becomes afraid of Israel’s growing numbers and power.

Balak, king of Moab, sends for Balaam, a pagan prophet/diviner, asking him to curse Israel. God initially tells Balaam not to go and not to curse Israel because they are blessed.

After repeated requests and promises of reward from Balak, God permits Balaam to go—but only to speak His words. On the way, Balaam’s donkey sees the angel of the LORD and stops three times, while Balaam, blind to the danger, strikes it. God opens the donkey’s mouth to speak, then opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel and realize he was opposing God’s will.

Balaam attempts to curse Israel, but each time God gives him words of blessing instead. He declares that Israel is blessed and cannot be cursed. Balak becomes frustrated because instead of curses, Israel receives prophetic blessings.

Balaam stops using pagan divination and speaks under the Spirit of God. He blesses Israel again, prophesying their strength and future victory. Balaam also prophesies judgment on surrounding nations.

Finally, while Balaam could not curse Israel, a different strategy succeeds: the temptations of Moab. Israelite men engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women. and worship of Baal of Peor. God’s anger burns, and a plague strikes Israel. Phinehas, a priest, zealously stops blatant sin in the camp, and the plague ends with 24,000 dead.

Blessed, Not Cursed As God’s People

This story is amazing and sad at the same time. God is keeping His convenant with His people, protecting them from harm and evil, and preserving generations. Meanwhile, His people are being deceived by the Midianites, denying their God, and disobeying by having sex with the enemy.

As always, there are some truths to behold in that as God’s people we are blessed, not cursed…

1. Because of God’s Sovereignty

God had a plan for the Israelites to multiply, prosper, and reach the promised land. No pagan king, prophet, or evil influence was going to stand against Him and win.

In Numbers 21, we saw God give Israel victory over 3 nations that sought to destroy them. He was just getting started showing His power and might.

When God’s hand of protection and purpose is on His people, nothing can stand against Him.

Job says, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). 

Daniel 4:35 states, “He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’”

2. Because Blessings Cannot Be Reversed

One of the clearest themes in Numbers 22–24 is that what God has blessed cannot be undone. King Balak repeatedly tries to hire Balaam to curse Israel, but every attempt fails.

Instead of curses, Balaam declares blessings over God’s people. This happens not once, but multiple times to emphasize the point: human plans cannot overturn God’s covenant promises.

Balaam himself acknowledges this truth in Numbers 23:19–20:

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.”

Israel was not blessed because they were perfect or powerful. They were blessed because God had made a covenant with Abraham centuries earlier. (Gen. 12, 17) This reveals an important truth: God’s blessings are rooted in His character, not in human circumstances.

3. Because God is Holy

Numbers 22–25 shows that Israel could not be cursed because God had blessed them through His covenant. Yet the story also reveals another important truth: the God who blesses His people is also holy, and His people are called to reflect that holiness.

Blessings Do Not Mean Sin Is Ignored

When curses failed, temptation succeeded. God would not allow His people to blaspheme His name among the other nations or bring destruction on His chosen people.

Israel’s greatest danger was not the enemies around them but the temptation to abandon their devotion to God.

This reminds us that God’s blessing is never an invitation to spiritual carelessness. Because God is holy, His people must guard their hearts against influences that lead them away from Him.

Scripture repeatedly connects God’s blessing with His call to holiness:

• Leviticus 11:44 – “Be holy, because I am holy.”
• 1 Peter 1:15–16 – “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

Zealous for Holiness is Rewarded

Phinehas, the priest, sees the plague and realizes that if he doesn’t act to stop it, then God’s people are going to be severely weakened. So, he acts in zeal by killing the perpetrators and restoring order.

Phinehas demonstrated a deep concern for God’s holiness and the purity of God’s people. His zeal reflected the seriousness with which God views sin within the covenant community.

This moment shows that holiness is not merely a private matter—it protects the spiritual health of God’s people.

Phinehas acted to stop God’s judgment, but his action ultimately points forward to something greater: Jesus is the one who fully deals with sin.

Christ Connection in Numbers 22-25

Just as Israel could not be cursed because they were God’s covenant people, believers in Christ stand under an unbreakable blessing.

• “No condemnation” (Romans 8:1)
• “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

In Numbers 24:17, Balaam prophesies:

“A star shall come out of Jacob, a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”

This points forward to Jesus — the true King.

• Jesus identifies himself as “the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16).
• Jesus holds the scepter of eternal rule (Revelation 19:16).

God’s redemptive plan was already unfolding in the wilderness.

Phinehas’ zeal stopped the plague (Numbers 25:7–13).

• Phinehas acted to stop judgment.
• Jesus absorbed judgment.

The plague ended because sin was dealt with. At the cross, God’s wrath was satisfied fully and finally.

Galatians 3:13 states, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’.”  Because Jesus chose to be cursed on our behalf, we can live in His blessings.

Because Jesus chose to be cursed on our behalf, we can live in His blessings.

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3

Reflection Questions and Prayer Guide for Numbers 22-25

For further meditation and reflection on how the Lord may want us to respond through worship, prayer, or action, here are some journaling questions and a prayer guide to remind us of the blessings of God and how we can live as blessed.

Reflection Questions

• Where am I vulnerable to subtle compromise?
• Are there relationships or influences pulling my heart toward idolatry?
• Do I take sin as seriously as God does?
• Where do I fear opposition more than I trust God’s protection?
• Do I live as someone who believes I am truly blessed in Christ?
• What “curses” (shame, accusation, fear) am I believing that Christ has already overturned?

Prayer Guide

Praise

• Lord, You are sovereign over kings, nations, and circumstances.
• Jesus, You are the Star and Scepter — my true King.
• Thank You that no accusation can stand against those in Christ.

Confession

• Reveal where I have been spiritually blind.
• Expose any compromise or divided loyalty in my heart.
• Forgive me for loving the rewards of this world more than obedience.

Request

• Open my eyes to see clearly.
• Guard my heart from subtle temptation.
• Strengthen me to live as someone who is already blessed in Christ.

Surrender

• I yield every area of my life to Your kingship.
• I trust that what You bless cannot be undone.
• Make me faithful, pure, and devoted to You.