One of the greatest and most comprehensive promises and revelations of God in Scripture. God is a Spirit being not a man, as Jesus taught (see Jn. 4:24). Four Assurances of Gods Integrity: 1. He cannot lie like man. 2. He cannot repent like man, that is, He does not change His promises under pressure, even when it is more convenient or advantageous. This is not the same as God regretting He had made man ( Gen. 6: 6), or being obligated by the sinfulness of man not to fulfill the promises which depend on obedience ( 1Sam. 15: 35). It is not the same as changing His mind to bless people who have repented when He previously intended to curse them for disobedience ( Ex. 32: 14; Judg. 2: 18; Ps. 106: 45); and it does not refer to changing His mind when He sees that people have enough punishment ( 2Sam. 24: 16). The repenting which God cannot do is that of changing His mind concerning promises made to the righteous. He will not and cannot fail to meet His obligations to them; He cannot say no to one and yes to another who claims His promises, if both are righteous and meet the terms of His covenants. He is not partial in His dealings with men; He treats all men alike. 3. What He says, He will do. He will fulfill His obligations in all covenant promises, whether to bless or curse. He is as zealous to fulfill His word one way as another. The soul that sins shall die ( Gen. 2: 17; Ex. 32: 32- 33; Ezek. 18: 4, 24- 25; Rom. 1: 18- 32; 2Cor. 6: 9- 10; Gal. 5: 19- 21; 6: 7- 8). God cannot allow any man to sin without cursing, or to obey without blessing. 4. What He has spoken, He will make good. This is the same as point 3, above, being doubly expressed to confirm Gods faithfulness. Note that God emphasized this truth here, for Balak was hoping something would result in a curse on Israel. Balaam needed this message as well, for he had a secret longing for the reward should Israel be cursed. God told Balaam and Balak, and all men in general, that His callings, promises, and covenants with Israel had already gone out of His mouth, and that: He would not lie. He would not change His mind. He would do it. He would make it good. He had given commandment to bless ( Num. 23: 20). He had blessed and could not reverse it, because there was no iniquity in Jacob, or perverseness in Israel-- and He was their God ( Num. 23: 21- 24)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 10:57:05 +0000