Part 2 of the Series: A Confident Walk in Christ

Numbers 22:1-3

New International Version

Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.

Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

For Meditation

The Israelites were battle weary. The two kings, Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan tested had them, but Israel was victorious (Numbers 21:21-26). Now, they had settled in the plains of Moab across the Jordan from Jericho (22:1). Balak, king of Moab, decided to attack Israel by hiring Balaam to put a curse on Israel. Why? For a refreshing perspective, let’s take a panoramic view of Israel’s history from Egypt.

Jacob’s family had grown to be so many in Egypt that they threatened the nation’s security. Egypt, therefore, oppressed them, and they cried in distress (Exodus 3:7-10). God, through Moses, delivered them by a powerful display of His mighty hand on the Egyptians (7:8-12:33). He brought them through the Red Sea and drowned their pursuers (14:1-31). They crushed the Amalekites (17:8-15) and survived under the harshest wilderness conditions for forty years.

The Canaan opposition was formidable, as the spies Moses sent to survey Canaan reported:

The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. (Numbers 13:27-29).

However, Caleb and Joshua had a distinct perspective. Yes, the opposition is formidable, but we can conquer them because the protection is gone, but God is with us. So do not fear! (30; 14:9).

Now Israel is pushing towards the Promised Land and requests passage through the land of the Amorites, but Sihon, their king, turns them down and, instead, attacks them. God gives the Israelites victory over Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35).

Israel arrives at the plains of Moab and temporarily settles east of the Jordan River across from Jericho (23:1), and Balak panics. Why is Moab reeling in fear? What does Balak see about Israel that they do not appreciate about themselves? We can ask the same questions about ourselves as believers, but, before the follow-up message, we must note three lessons about our confident walk in Christ.

First, Christians must know the history of our faith and what God has done for us in salvation – His mighty deeds to claim us for Himself. Central to the Israelites’ confident walk with God was their solid knowledge of Yahweh, who they were to Him, and what He had done to save them. It is the same for the Christian.

Second, we must view life’s challenges through the eyes of people of faith like Caleb and Joshua and never through those of the other ten spies. Caleb and Joshua’s perspective appreciated the ability and faithfulness of God to give them victory in Canaan despite their formidable power (13:30, 14:9).

Third, for a confident walk with God, we believers must know how the forces of darkness quiver in our presence and at the sound of our voices in prayer and praise. They are powerful spiritual weapons that can bring down strongholds and usher in God’s victory.

Shalom