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Numbers 23:19 & meaning

God 

is not a man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?

Numbers 23:19

Context

Numbers 23 [16.] Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”

Numbers 23 [17.] He came to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. Balak said to him, “What has Yahweh spoken?”

Numbers 23 [18.] He took up his parable, and said,

“Rise up, Balak, and hear!

    Listen to me, you son of Zippor.

God is not a man, that he should lie,

    nor the son of man, that he should repent.

Has he said, and will he not do it?

    Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?

Behold, I have received a command to bless.

    He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.

He has not seen iniquity in Jacob.

    Neither has he seen perverseness in Israel.

Yahweh his God is with him.

    The shout of a king is among them.

God brings them out of Egypt.

    He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.

Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob;

    Neither is there any divination with Israel.

Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel,

    ‘What has God done!’

Behold, the people rises up as a lioness.

    As a lion he lifts himself up.

He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey,

    and drinks the blood of the slain.”

Numbers 23 [25.] Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”


Meaning:

This verse comes from the story of Balaam, a prophet hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel. However, instead of cursing Israel, Balaam blesses them repeatedly because God has decided to bless His people. In this specific verse, Balaam is communicating a profound truth about God's nature: that He is unchanging, trustworthy, and completely different from humans in His faithfulness and truthfulness. It reflects a foundational aspect of God's character, providing a powerful assurance to us about the reliability of His promises.


  • God Does Not Lie

The first part of the verse states, “God is not a man, that he should lie.” Lying is, unfortunately, a common human trait. People often break promises, stretch the truth, or deceive for personal gain. But God is fundamentally different from human beings in this regard. He is holy and pure, and it is impossible for Him to lie.

This truth about God’s honesty is comforting because it assures us that everything He says can be trusted. In a world where we often experience broken promises and deception, God stands apart. His Word is unshakable, and His promises are true. This is echoed in other Scriptures, such as Titus 1:2, which speaks of “God, who cannot lie,” and Hebrews 6:18, which says, “It is impossible for God to lie.”

God’s inability to lie highlights His absolute integrity and faithfulness. It assures us that the promises we read in Scripture—promises of salvation, forgiveness, eternal life, and His presence—are not empty words. They are solid, dependable truths we can build our lives upon.


  • God Does Not Change His Mind

The second part of the verse says, “nor the son of man, that he should repent.” This does not mean that God never changes His actions, as there are times in Scripture when He responds to human repentance or intercession, such as when He spares Nineveh in the book of Jonah. But this verse points to God’s unchanging nature in His promises and character. He does not waver or change like humans often do. When He makes a promise, He is committed to fulfilling it, and His nature remains constant.

The contrast between human unpredictability and God’s steadfastness is important. As people, we are often ruled by emotions, circumstances, or shifting desires. We may make decisions and later regret them, but God’s decisions are perfect and wise from the beginning. He doesn’t need to repent or change His mind out of regret, because He sees all things, knows all things, and always acts out of perfect wisdom and love.

Malachi 3:6 echoes this idea: “For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” God's consistency is a source of great hope for us. It means we can trust Him completely, knowing that He will not suddenly withdraw His love or change His character. His promises of mercy, grace, and salvation are eternal because He is eternal.


  • Has He Said, and Will He Not Do It?

The latter part of the verse contains two rhetorical questions: “Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?” These questions emphasize God’s faithfulness to His Word. What God says, He will accomplish. He is not like humans who might make commitments and then fail to follow through due to forgetfulness, circumstances, or lack of ability.

When God makes a promise, He has both the power and the integrity to bring it to pass. This is what sets God apart from all others. Humans might have good intentions but lack the ability to carry them out. God, however, is omnipotent—He has the power to do everything He says He will do. This truth gives us immense confidence in His promises.

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s faithfulness to His word. From the promise He made to Abraham to bless his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3), to the promise He made to send a Savior (Isaiah 53), and even to the promises concerning Christ’s return (John 14:3), God has continually proven that He keeps His word. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul writes, “For however many are the promises of God, in him is the ‘Yes.’ Therefore also through him is the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God through us.” Every promise God makes is fulfilled in Christ, giving us the ultimate assurance of His faithfulness.


Significance for Our Lives

This verse in Numbers serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness. It assures us that, unlike humans, God does not lie or change His mind. His Word is always reliable, and His promises are sure. In a world where trust is often broken, this truth gives us solid ground to stand on.

Knowing that God is always faithful can strengthen us in our day-to-day lives. When we face uncertainty, we can turn to God’s promises in Scripture and find comfort and guidance. For instance, God promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20), to give us peace (Philippians 4:7), and to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Because God is faithful, we can trust these promises no matter what circumstances we are facing.

Moreover, this verse encourages us to seek out and hold tightly to God’s Word. Since His words are always true and reliable, studying Scripture is one of the best ways to anchor ourselves in His truth. When we know God’s promises and understand His nature, we are less likely to be swayed by doubt or fear.


Conclusion: Numbers 23:19 stands as a clear proclamation of God’s unchanging character. He is not like humans who lie or change their minds. When God speaks, He acts, and His promises are never broken. This truth offers us a firm foundation of trust in God’s faithfulness. No matter what uncertainties we face in life, we can rest assured that God will do what He has said. His Word is eternal, and His promises are guaranteed.

As we walk through life, let us hold tightly to this assurance that God is trustworthy, that His nature does not change, and that His Word is always fulfilled. This provides us with the confidence and peace we need to navigate both the joys and the challenges of life.


PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible

 

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