Numbers 24:17(NIV) "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."

I have to admit, these passages in Numbers had me going to my commentaries and study tools. I was familiar with the story of Balaam and his donkey, but I did not know much about Balaam, the man. Who or what was he?
Balaam, was a “diviner,” who was hired to curse Israel by Balak, the King of Moab. It seems a diviner was a false prophet. This particular false prophet was about to be used by God to bless Israel, to invoke divine favor upon that nation. I am now fascinated by this part of the Book of Numbers and realize there are a few wise conclusions to draw from the text.

• It is foolish and dangerous to be against what God is for and to be for what God is against.
• Remember the story of Jonah?  He fought against God's will for him and found himself in big trouble.  Is there a personal story you can relate of a time you were acting in opposition to God's will?  I know I can and the outcome was not pretty.

• We are not to convert God to be on our side, but to be converted, so that we may be on His side.
• I can think of times I tried to reason with God and convince Him I was doing the best I could or maybe even tried to delude myself into thinking God would understand my transgressions.

Balaam is an interesting character whom God uses teach us.  Even the most blatant unbeliever can be used to further the Kingdom of God. I now know that God used me even when I was furthest from Him.  He used me and then He changed me.

God used Balaam to prophecy about David and Jesus.  He used to Balaam to bless Israel and to show us the right path to travel.  

Numbers 24:15-19