Balak is doing all he can to get Balaam to curse God’s people. Balak, the enemy of God’s people, increases his offer three times to God one of God’s prophets to curse Israel. But it never happens. Balaam repeatedly blesses Israel instead. I can’t help but marvel at the fact that this story is given to us in a third person “omniscient” perspective. We, the reader, see what’s happening while Israel, God’s people, is totally unaware of the battle taking place in the mountains that surrounded their camp.
There’s an unseen world at war with God’s people. This war is one in which the powers of darkness are working overtime to prevent God’s people from experiencing God’s blessings on their lives. The dark powers want God’s people cursed, not blessed. But God protected them from these hidden dangers. Just like he protects you and me.
I love Psalm 121 in the New Century Version: “He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps. He who guards Israel never rests or sleeps. The LORD guards you. The LORD is the shade that protects you from the sun. The sun cannot hurt you during the day, and the moon cannot hurt you at night. The LORD will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The LORD will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever.