What does Numbers 22:20 mean?
"And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." - Numbers 22:20
Numbers 22:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." This verse is part of the story of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet who was hired by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites. However, God intervenes and prevents Balaam from cursing the Israelites, instead instructing him to bless them.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness after escaping from Egypt, and they had just defeated the Amorites in battle. This victory had made the Moabites nervous, so their king, Balak, sought to hire the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites and drive them away. Balaam, at first, sought the Lord's guidance, and God told him not to go with the men from Moab. However, Balaam persisted, and God allowed him to go with them but with the condition that he would only speak the words that God gave him.
The themes present in this verse are obedience, faithfulness, and the sovereignty of God. God's command to Balaam to go with the men from Moab, but to only speak the words that God gave him, demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's will. Balaam had already received a clear directive from God not to go with the men, yet he continued to inquire of God, and eventually received permission to go. This shows that even when we persist in our own desires, God can still intervene and provide guidance within the confines of our disobedience.
Additionally, the verse reveals the faithfulness of God to his people. Despite the attempts of the Moabites to curse the Israelites, God remained in control and ultimately blessed them through Balaam's words. This demonstrates the sovereignty of God, as nothing can thwart his plans or his blessings for his chosen people.
Symbolism can also be gleaned from this verse. The appearance of God to Balaam at night can represent the moments of darkness and uncertainty in our own lives when we seek God's guidance. It can also symbolize the clandestine nature of Balaam's dealings with the Moabites, as well as the hidden workings of God's intervention in the affairs of humans.
In conclusion, Numbers 22:20 from the King James Version of the Bible provides a rich and nuanced portrayal of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the importance of obedience. It serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in all circumstances, and to remain faithful to his will, even in the face of temptation or conflicting desires. The verse also demonstrates God's ability to intervene and work within the confines of human disobedience to bring about his purposes.
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Numbers 22:20 - "And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do."
"And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." - Numbers 22:20
Numbers 20:22 - "¶ And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor."
"¶ And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor." - Numbers 20:22
Genesis 22-20
Numbers 6:22 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 7:22 - "One kid of the goats for a sin offering:"
Numbers 33:22 - "And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah."
Numbers 20:20 - "And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand."
Numbers 20:7 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 34:20 - "And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud."
Numbers 33:20 - "And they departed from Rimmon-parez, and pitched in Libnah."
Numbers 34:22 - "And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli."
Numbers 22:39 - "And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth."
Numbers 31:22 - "Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,"
Numbers 28:22 - "And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you."
Numbers 16:20 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,"
Numbers 7:20 - "One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense:"
Numbers 22:9 - "And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?"
2 Samuel 22:17-20
Numbers 14:20 - "And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:"
Numbers 10:20 - "And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel."
Numbers 2:22 - "Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni."
Numbers 26:22 - "These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred."
Numbers 4:22 - "Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;"
Numbers 22:2 - "¶ And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites."
Numbers 22:15 - "¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they."
Numbers 22:40 - "And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him."
Numbers 4:20 - "But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die."
Numbers 20:2 - "And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron."