Numbers 24:1-25 - The Safety Of All Who Enjoy The Blessing Of God

1 . Malicious designs. E.g; Balaam's wish to curse; the plot of the Jews to stone Paul at Iconium ( Acts 14:5 ), and to assassinate him at Jerusalem ( Acts 23:1-35 .).

2 . Words of execration. E.g; Shimei ( 2 Samuel 16:1-23 ); the blasphemies spoken against Christ, and the libels uttered against his people ( Matthew 10:24-26 ).

3 . Witchcraft and divination. In reply to all such foolish fears let it suffice to say, "I believe in God" ( Isaiah 8:13 , Isaiah 8:14 : 1 Peter 3:13 ).

4 . Assaults and all violence. E.g; the various attempts to seize or kill Jesus Christ when "his hour was not yet come." When the hour for suffering "as a Christian is come," let him glorify God "( 1 Peter 4:12-16 ). Such calamities are not "curses" from God, and God can change all other curses into blessings, as in the case of Balaam ( Deuteronomy 23:5 ).

5 . Every kind of persecution ( Romans 8:35-39 ). The devil's curse is a telum imbelle; his defiance an empty threat. The objects of God's care are invincible, if not invulnerable ( Isaiah 54:17 ).—P.