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Numbers 23:19 - God Is Immutable; He Does Not Lie And He Keeps His Promises.

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Numbers 23:19 (GWT) God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.

INTRODUCTION

These sublime words describe the immutability of the Lord and the integrity of his word. [NIV SB]

COMMENTARY

What God Can't Say
   The World's Biggest Liar is a competition held annually in Cumbria, England, in which competitors are given two to eight minutes to tell their most convincing lie. Tall tales have ranged from racing snails based on advice from then - Prince Charles to Cumbria's abundance of sugar deposits fueling the county's jam industry.
   According to today's verse, God would be disqualified from such a competition. This verse promises that what God says will come to pass. His word is as good as done. Additionally, in this scenario, the word "repent" means that God does not rue the decisions He makes; that is, God doesn't make mistakes. Neither can He be bribed or manipulated into changing His mind (Deuteronomy 10:17).
   That's what Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, a backslidden prophet, failed to realize in Numbers 23. They attempted to force God's hand into casting a curse upon the children of Israel, but they were rebuffed three times. Instead, the Holy Spirit prompted Balaam to bless God's people: "Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you" (24:9).
   Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), is likewise doing his best to destroy you with his falsehoods. But take hold of God's promises instead: Just as He did for the children of Israel, God wants to bless - not curse - His people today. And just as He protected the children of Israel from their enemies, the same covenant-keeping God promises the same today. The Word of our God is more powerful than the biggest lie that could ever be told.
   Dear Jesus, thank You for the protective power of Your word, in which I choose to trust above the devil's lies. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

God Keeps His Promises
   One student of Scripture spent a year and a half attempting to tally the number of promises God has made to humanity. He came up with 7,487 promises! God's promises are pine trees in the Rocky Mountains of Scripture: abundant, unbending, and perennial Some of the promises are positive, the assurance of blessings. Some are negative, the guarantee of consequences. But all are binding, for not only is God a promise maker; God is a promise keeper.
   As God was preparing the Israelites to face a new land, he made a promise to them.
   Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world." (Exodus 34:10)
   God did not emphasize the Israelites' strength. He emphasized his. He did not underscore their ability. He highlighted his. He equipped them for the journey by headlining his capacity to make and keep his promises.
   He is the same God today. And he still keeps his promises. [You Can Count On God by Max Lucado]

Oh, the immutability of God!  We have only to think of the many friendships which were once so precious and wonder what happened; of the trust we placed in another, only to be betrayed. Malachi 3:6 says, "I the Lord do not change."  Who He is in the Old Testament, He also is in the New.  What He did for Moses, He will do for you! While it is true that our ways are not His ways, it is very comforting to know that His ways remain firm.  So few things in our lives are firm, stable, or solid.  Relationships come and go; jobs evolve or disappear; wealth remains elusive or fleeting. Families fall apart or die one-by-one.  God, however, remains as He has always been - from eternity past to eternity future.  As believers, we should find great comfort in this precious truth! When you find yourself in the next crisis of transition, stabilize yourself with the great truth of God's immutability! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Numbers 23:19 - God Is Immutable; He Does Not Change.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040210-1235.html

1 Samuel 15:29 - God is Immutable.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040419-1318.html

Hebrews 13:8 - Another Glimpse at the Immutable Quality of God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230413-0849.html

Hebrews 6:18, 19 - Jesus - His Promises And Our Hope.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250110-1443.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/