No one is out of Reach
- Venus Jackson
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
Discussion Questions for Upcoming Numbers Chapter 23 - 04/21/2026
Is Balak evil?
Why did Balak keep dragging Balaam from place to place?
Recap from Numbers CH.22 4/14/2026
The Hook: An Extraordinary Conversation
Most of us have heard the story of Balaam and his donkey, but we often treat it like a children’s fable. It is actually one of the most unique moments in the entire Bible. Think about it: outside of the serpent in Eden, this is the only time an animal is given the supernatural ability to speak its mind.
That tells us something immediately: God was on a mission. Balaam probably didn’t realize the weight of what was happening. To him, this was just an ordinary business trip—a chance to earn some serious riches. But while Balaam was focused on his paycheck, his mindset was about to have him killed.
The Background: A Professional "Secret-Seeker"
To understand why this matters, we have to look at where Balaam came from. He was from Pethor, deep in Mesopotamia. In that world, divination wasn’t just a hobby; it was a government-funded science.
Mesopotamians believed the universe was a giant message board from the gods. To decode it, they used methods that seem strange to us today:
Inspecting the livers of sacrificed sheep.
Watching the rings in a bowl of oil.
Tracking bird flight patterns or smoke shapes.
Interpreting the stars and planets.
Balaam was an expert at this. He was so famous that the King of Moab (in modern-day Jordan) sent representatives twice—a journey that would have taken three months round-trip—just to recruit him.
The Twist: God Reaches Into the Dark
None of Balaam’s professional tools were ordained by God. In fact, his entire nation was "up to their eyebrows" in practices that the Bible explicitly warns against. Yet, this is where the story gets beautiful:
God still used him.
I find it fascinating that God allowed both the daunting appearance of an angel and the miraculous speech of a donkey. It’s a powerful reminder that God provides a way out of our troubles, even when we are too blind to see them.
Balaam was used to reaching into the spiritual realm to find answers—but this time, the true God reached back.
The Bottom Line: No One is Out of Reach
If God can use an expert diviner from a pagan land to deliver His message, He can certainly use you.
Many people feel like they can’t approach God because of their past or their current lifestyle. They think they are "too far gone" or too deep in sin for God to forgive them, let alone use them. But look at Balaam: he took what God said seriously. Even when offered a palace full of gold, he chose to honor the command of the Lord.
"Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God." — Numbers 22:18
A Reason to Rejoice
God makes His presence known with authority, even when we are sitting in the middle of an ungodly life. Balaam’s story proves that God doesn't wait for a "perfect" person; He looks for a person who will listen.
If you feel like your life is a mess, remember that the same God who opened the mouth of a donkey and changed the heart of a Mesopotamian sorcerer is looking for you, too.
2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
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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