In a poem titled “This Child Is Beloved,” Omawumi Efueye, known affectionately as Pastor O, writes about his parents’ attempts to end the pregnancy that would result in his birth. After several unusual events that prevented them from aborting him, they decided to welcome their child instead. The knowledge of God’s preservation of his life motivated Omawumi to give up a lucrative career in favor of full-time ministry. Today, he faithfully pastors a London church.
Like Pastor O, the Israelites experienced God’s intervention at a vulnerable time in their history. While traveling through the wilderness, they came within sight of King Balak of Moab. Terrified of their conquests and their vast population, Balak engaged a seer named Balaam to place a curse on the unsuspecting travelers (Numbers 22:2–6).
But something amazing happened. Whenever Balaam opened his mouth to curse, a blessing issued instead. “I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it,” he declared. “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The
Whether we see it or not, God still watches over His people today. May we worship in gratitude and awe the One who calls us blessed.
INSIGHT
Balaam was a prophet for hire (Numbers 22:7; Deuteronomy 23:4; Joshua 13:22)—a sin that remains prevalent even today. Peter warns of false teachers who “followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong” (2 Peter 2:15–16