God's Says No-When we don't Know
- Venus Jackson
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Discussion Questions for Upcoming Numbers Chapter 25 - 05/04/2026
What are some of the biggest ironies of the sinful action of the Israelites?
Why did Balak keep dragging Balaam from place to place?
Recap from Numbers CH.24 4/28/2026
In these chapters, something remarkable is happening.
We aren’t told what Israel is doing. There’s no movement, no battle, no dramatic action from them at all.
But we are shown—very clearly—what God is doing.
He is:
Defending His people against Balak
Establishing His authority across nations
Speaking truth through unexpected means
Protecting Israel—even while they are unaware
While Israel is simply camped, God is actively working on their behalf.
Balaam Sees What Others Could Not
When Balaam looks out over Israel, everything changes.
“The Spirit of God came upon him, and he spoke his message…”
What did he see?
Not chaos. Not disorder. Not weakness.
He saw a people arranged tribe by tribe—ordered, intentional, and aligned.
Their tents were spread out with purpose. Each tribe had its place. Each group had its role. There was structure, beauty, and identity.
Without a single word from them, Balaam recognized something unmistakable:
God’s hand was on them.
Strength That Comes From God
Scripture describes Israel as having the strength of a “wild ox.”
This is not a tame farm animal. It is something powerful, untamable, and overwhelming in strength.
But the point is not that Israel made themselves strong.
It is that: God had made them strong.
Their power, their presence, their very identity came from Him.
God Speaks Without Ritual
Earlier, Balaam relied on rituals and signs.
Now, simply by looking at Israel, he hears from God immediately.
Why?
Because God’s presence was so evident that it required no setup, no manipulation, no effort.
God made Himself known.
A Warning to Balak—and to All Kingdoms
Through Balaam, God delivers a message that goes far beyond the moment.
Balak is focused on one thing: stopping Israel.
But God speaks about:
Nations rising and falling
Lands being overtaken
Future rulers emerging
Even secure people eventually being displaced
Balak is worried about today.
God is speaking about generations.
The message is clear:
You are focused on what is temporary. I am working out what is eternal.
A Star Will Rise
In the middle of these warnings comes a promise:
“A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
This shifts everything.
God is not just protecting a people—He is establishing a plan.
A future. A ruler. A kingdom that will outlast all others.
Meanwhile… Israel Is Unaware
Perhaps the most striking part of this story is this:
Israel has no idea any of this is happening.
They are simply:
Camped as instructed
Living within the structure God gave them
Going about their daily lives
And yet…
They are being defended. Spoken over. Protected. Established.
God is working—even when they cannot see it.
The Bottom Line: Our Countenance
There’s a powerful question this passage leaves us with:
What do others see when they look at us from a distance?
Balaam saw Israel and immediately recognized God’s presence.
Not because Israel was trying to impress anyone—but because they were aligned with what God had already said.
They reflected Him… without even knowing they were being watched.
A Personal Reflection
When people observe our lives—our choices, our priorities, our structure—
Do they see:
Peace or chaos?
Purpose or confusion?
Strength rooted in God or effort rooted in self?
Do they see evidence of Him?
Encouragement
We don’t always know when God is working on our behalf.
We don’t always see what He is protecting us from.
We don’t always hear what He is speaking over us.
But that doesn’t mean He isn’t doing it.
Just like Israel:
We can trust that God is working—even in the unseen.
And when we align our lives with Him,His presence becomes visible—naturally, quietly, powerfully.
Looking Ahead
Next, we turn back to Israel’s perspective—
to see what they were doing while God was out defending them... smh
Prayer Requests
Frances
Continued healing
Job accomodations
Sammantra
Waiting for Covid loans court decision
Continued healing of her son's ankle
Passing of uncle
Sandra
God's continued protection over her family as her and her husband teach small group
Taz
PhD acceptance from the school of best choice
Karen
Healing in knee
Joan
Jumping into new opportunities
Venus
Daughter to have a healthy marriage and baby
Renee
Prayer answered and returning to Georgia!
Workout!
Workout TIp!
Water!
Hydrated bodies help to keep our bodies flexible, our moods elevated and our muscles and brain energized.
Here is a video on the science behind the importance of water.
Spritually, water represents Jesus. We have to have both to live! He is the living water. We would not exist without Him and the example that He set for us when he came to earth.
The same way that we need to drink water on a daily basis, we need to invest our time communicating with Jesus through prayer, Bible readings and Bible studies, worship and fellowship.
Want a workout that strengthens your body while challenging your flexibility?
Check out HITT the Beat
If you try it out make sure you modify where needed. Have fun!
Trail Walk
Saturday
Date: TBA
Sandy Creek Park
Time: TBA
Potluck Tuesday was also a suggestion from last semester. Anyone interested in doing a Potluck once a month? Open to suggestions on an ideal day and time we can do this.
Health goals
Pray and think about the goals that God has for your life. He has many, but one of the areas we concentrate on in Walk and Talk is our health. How do you think God wants us to care for ourselves? What steps are we taking to be the best person we can be?
See you Tuesday!!
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