In the midst of Balaam’s oracle concerning the nation of Israel, he declares, “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?” (v.19). At this point in Israel’s history (around the mid-15th century B.C.), the Israelites are journeying through the wilderness under Moses’ leadership, and Balak, the king of Moab, has enlisted Balaam in an attempt to curse them. This verse underscores God’s unchanging nature in stark contrast to human frailty, suggesting that no matter the perceived threats, the Israelites remain secure under divine promise.
When Balaam, a highly regarded (though unpredictable) prophet of that time, states that “God is not a man… nor a son of man” (v.19), he draws a clear line between the Creator and creation. Humans are susceptible to deception and wavering emotions, but this passage insists God never changes His mind out of error or deceit. In keeping with this assertion, the question “Has He said, and will He not do it?” (v.19) highlights that God's intentions are reliable. In other parts of Scripture, such as 1 Samuel 15:29, we see a similar affirmation of God’s immutability, and in the New Testament, Hebrews 13:8 proclaims Jesus Christ as the same “yesterday and today and forever,” showing God’s trustworthiness throughout Scripture.
Balaam’s proclamation serves to reassure the Israelites, even though a foreign king attempts to manipulate God’s words through prophecy. God’s plan remains consistent, and His covenant with His people stands inviolable. This resonates powerfully for believers today, reminding us that God does not fail or relent from His gracious promises. Regardless of human schemes or shifting circumstances, He keeps His word and fulfills it perfectly.
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Numbers 23:19 meaning
In the midst of Balaam’s oracle concerning the nation of Israel, he declares, “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?” (v.19). At this point in Israel’s history (around the mid-15th century B.C.), the Israelites are journeying through the wilderness under Moses’ leadership, and Balak, the king of Moab, has enlisted Balaam in an attempt to curse them. This verse underscores God’s unchanging nature in stark contrast to human frailty, suggesting that no matter the perceived threats, the Israelites remain secure under divine promise.
When Balaam, a highly regarded (though unpredictable) prophet of that time, states that “God is not a man… nor a son of man” (v.19), he draws a clear line between the Creator and creation. Humans are susceptible to deception and wavering emotions, but this passage insists God never changes His mind out of error or deceit. In keeping with this assertion, the question “Has He said, and will He not do it?” (v.19) highlights that God's intentions are reliable. In other parts of Scripture, such as 1 Samuel 15:29, we see a similar affirmation of God’s immutability, and in the New Testament, Hebrews 13:8 proclaims Jesus Christ as the same “yesterday and today and forever,” showing God’s trustworthiness throughout Scripture.
Balaam’s proclamation serves to reassure the Israelites, even though a foreign king attempts to manipulate God’s words through prophecy. God’s plan remains consistent, and His covenant with His people stands inviolable. This resonates powerfully for believers today, reminding us that God does not fail or relent from His gracious promises. Regardless of human schemes or shifting circumstances, He keeps His word and fulfills it perfectly.