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God's Obstacles

Adam Wright

Sunday, October 6, 2024

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God’s Obstacles

Numbers 22:31-35

Intro: Have you ever been trying to do something, but you felt like you keep facing setback after setback and obstacle after obstacle? Maybe it even got to the point where you felt that you cried out to God.

This morning’s message is about obstacles but not any obstacle, specifically God’s obstacles.

Not every obstacle you face is from the devil. Some are. Many are. But some obstacles are put before you from God.

Sometimes God is stopping you. Sometimes God is telling you to turn around.

This morning, we are going to explore some ways to identify obstacles in your life. How do I know when God is putting obstacles in my life trying to stop me, or if the devil is trying to slow me down from doing something God wants me to do?

MAJOR POINT: Like all questions in life…Start with the Bible.

Different order- work through context of the chapter

I. Introduce Balaam and Barak:

a. Jude 1:11 is like the Hall of Fame for rebels against God.

i. Last week, we found Cain there.

ii. This week, we find Balaam.

iii. So what’s his story.

b. Barak’s problem

i. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel1 — Numbers 22:2-3

ii. 5 sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed2 — Numbers 22:5-6

c. Balaam’s task

II. Barak’s request

a. MAJOR POINT: Many of us make the same mistake that this Moabite King made: He wanted God on his schedule and in accordance to his priority.

i. It sounds like only a pagan error.

ii. It is, however, an everyday man or woman error.

iii. THE ERROR IS THIS: God is disconnected from the operations of my life, unless I need Him. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

b. The request is a direct violation of God’s promise to Abraham.

c. Barak wants a curse upon the people of Israel.

i. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 3 — Genesis 12:3

d. Every person you see around you is loved by God. Jesus gave his life for them. Therefore, we must value them.

III. Balaam’s action

a. Obedient action

b. Rebellious heart

c. Balaam’s actions appeared obedient to God, but his motive was not. Balaam had a rebellious heart.

i. Self-interest disguised as God’s servant.

ii. Gain is not evil, and it is not an evil motive, but how you gain matters…

1. Does it cost you integrity?

2. Does it honor God?

3. Does it align with God’s working in your life?

iii. Lest Balaam have any thought he can make an end run around God, the angel teaches Balaam that he must lay down his own initiative in cursing or blessing Israel and allow God to use him as God sees fit.”4

d. BOTTOM LINE: Balaam cared more about self-interest than God’s will.

i. THIS IS A RECIPE FOR A DIFFICULT ROAD AHEAD.

ii. BALAAM WAS WORKING AGAINST GOD WITH HIS HEART, BUT OBEDIENT WITH HIS MOUTH.

e. MAJOR POINT: If I am running into obstacles in my life, I should always exam the WHY behind my WHAT.

IV. If you are trying to find a way forward...WHAT OBSTACLES ARE BEFORE YOU?

a. “the angel of the LORD standing in the way”5

b. Balaam was trying to walk through a closed door.

i. GRACE OF GOD THROUGH THE DONKEY.

ii. Balaam is walking as close to the line as he can.

V. Analyze Your Path

a. Is it the devil discouraging you?

b. Is it God guiding you?