God turns curses into blessings for those who trust in Him.
Joshua 24:10 includes the LORD’s reference to a miraculous intervention in Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land, as He declares: “But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand.” (v.10). In this passage, Balaam is the figure hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22-24). Balaam lived during the mid-15th century BC, at the time of Moses, and he hailed from the region around the Euphrates—an area often associated with Mesopotamia. Despite being summoned to bring harm upon God’s chosen people, Balaam was compelled to bring blessing, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over all circumstances.
The phrase “I was not willing to listen to Balaam” (v.10) displays the LORD’s authority as He thwarts harmful intent. When Balak attempted to use Balaam’s divinatory power, the LORD intervened and reversed the intended curse into a blessing. The geographical context centered around Moab, a region located east of the Dead Sea, shows the Israelites camped there as they prepared to enter Canaan. This demonstration of God’s protective power underscores to Joshua’s audience that their inheritance of the land was not through human effort or alliances but by His hand. It also foreshadows how God’s deliverance is often an act of mercy, seen in the broader biblical narrative and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus as the One who saves His people (Matthew 1:21).
Finally, the statement “So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand” (v.10) highlights the LORD turning what was meant to harm the Israelites into a sign of favor. This reversal points to a core scriptural theme: God’s ability to bring about a greater good from human schemes. For a New Testament parallel, when the forces of evil conspired against Jesus, God used that action to provide forgiveness and deliverance for all who believe (Acts 2:23-24). Here, Joshua’s reminder to the people that they were divinely protected and guided in times of danger serves as a call for faithfulness and loyalty to the LORD who upholds His covenant.
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Joshua 24:10 meaning
Joshua 24:10 includes the LORD’s reference to a miraculous intervention in Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land, as He declares: “But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand.” (v.10). In this passage, Balaam is the figure hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22-24). Balaam lived during the mid-15th century BC, at the time of Moses, and he hailed from the region around the Euphrates—an area often associated with Mesopotamia. Despite being summoned to bring harm upon God’s chosen people, Balaam was compelled to bring blessing, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over all circumstances.
The phrase “I was not willing to listen to Balaam” (v.10) displays the LORD’s authority as He thwarts harmful intent. When Balak attempted to use Balaam’s divinatory power, the LORD intervened and reversed the intended curse into a blessing. The geographical context centered around Moab, a region located east of the Dead Sea, shows the Israelites camped there as they prepared to enter Canaan. This demonstration of God’s protective power underscores to Joshua’s audience that their inheritance of the land was not through human effort or alliances but by His hand. It also foreshadows how God’s deliverance is often an act of mercy, seen in the broader biblical narrative and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus as the One who saves His people (Matthew 1:21).
Finally, the statement “So he had to bless you, and I delivered you from his hand” (v.10) highlights the LORD turning what was meant to harm the Israelites into a sign of favor. This reversal points to a core scriptural theme: God’s ability to bring about a greater good from human schemes. For a New Testament parallel, when the forces of evil conspired against Jesus, God used that action to provide forgiveness and deliverance for all who believe (Acts 2:23-24). Here, Joshua’s reminder to the people that they were divinely protected and guided in times of danger serves as a call for faithfulness and loyalty to the LORD who upholds His covenant.