Esther 7:1-8:17; Malachi 2:10-3:6; Revelation 21:9-22:5
Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. Numbers 24:1, NKJV
Although Balaam was corrupt and still wanted to see Israel cursed, a change in his disposition occurs here. First, he had learned that “it pleased the Lord to bless Israel,” meaning there was no satanic power that could prevent Jehovah from blessing His people. Second, Balaam no longer used sorcery to try to change what he knew he could not. This shows the power of God’s Word to examine, prod, and change the worst of human hearts (Heb. 4:12). It is still able today. —W. A. H.
God’s Word is like a flaming sword, a wedge that cleaves the stone;
Keen as a fire, so burns His Word, and pierces flesh and bone. —C. Grave