Definition: Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Numbers 23:20. Itās a really important and somewhat mysterious passage about God's plan for the Israelites. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is giving one specific rule or blessing to the Israelites. And heās already given it ā itās complete! However, now, he canāt take that blessing away. It's like a gift ā once given, itās permanent. Let's unpack it piece by piece: āNumbers 23:20ā : This refers to a specific event in the Old Testament. It describes God's plan for the Israelites to wander in the wilderness for 40 years after leaving Egypt. āBehold, I have received [commandment] to blessā¦ā : This is a key part ā God has officially given the Israelites a specific rule or instruction ā a "commandment." Itās like a law or guideline to live by. It's important to understand this isnāt just a suggestion; itās a definite thing heās set in motion. āand he hath blessedā¦ā : This is the crucial part! God has already blessed (praised and favored) this rule with his presence. āand I cannot reverse it.ā This is where it gets really profound. It means that once this blessing is given, itās impossible to undo it. It's a permanent, unbreakable guarantee of Godās favor. What does this mean practically? For the Israelites, this verse emphasizes: God's Sovereignty: It shows that God is in control and doesnāt simply change his plans. His Promise: It affirms that God always keeps his promises. Trust and Obedience: It encourages us to trust in Godās plan and obey his commands, even when it seems difficult or unavoidable. In a nutshell: God has already given a blessing, and he can't take it back. This verse speaks to the idea that Godās faithfulness is absolute and unwavering. Think of it this way: Imagine you give someone a gift ā a beautiful necklace. You can't just take it away. Itās part of what you gave. Thatās kind of like this verse - God has already given a blessing, and he canāt undo it. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from this passage? Discuss the significance of this verse in a specific context (like the Israelites' wandering)?