How does God see us?
The children of Israel were a rebellious and idolatrous lot. They murmured and complained at every test. They failed to believe God's promises. They challenged his authority. They complained about his provision. They worshipped the golden calf in fornication filled orgies. They provoked him to almost destroy them. However, what was his response when the enemy tried to curse them. What was his response? How did he see them when Balak tempted Balaam to curse them?
Let's look:
The first time Balaam tried to curse Israel:
Nu 23:8-10
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
The second time:
Nu 23:21-24
He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
The third time:
Nu 24:5-9
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
"He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel?" What? After all of their rebellion and idolatry he stills sees no perverseness? He does not look upon their grievous sin? Their constant murmuring and complaining? Wow? Is this not a "positional" aspect of righteousness? Is it not an unmerited forgiveness of iniquity? If Gid saw Israel in such a way...how do you think Jesus sees the church? How do you think he sees you?
The children of Israel were a rebellious and idolatrous lot. They murmured and complained at every test. They failed to believe God's promises. They challenged his authority. They complained about his provision. They worshipped the golden calf in fornication filled orgies. They provoked him to almost destroy them. However, what was his response when the enemy tried to curse them. What was his response? How did he see them when Balak tempted Balaam to curse them?
Let's look:
The first time Balaam tried to curse Israel:
Nu 23:8-10
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
The second time:
Nu 23:21-24
He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
The third time:
Nu 24:5-9
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
"He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel?" What? After all of their rebellion and idolatry he stills sees no perverseness? He does not look upon their grievous sin? Their constant murmuring and complaining? Wow? Is this not a "positional" aspect of righteousness? Is it not an unmerited forgiveness of iniquity? If Gid saw Israel in such a way...how do you think Jesus sees the church? How do you think he sees you?