The Way of Balaam

Hello everyone,

How are you doing today? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“These false teachers left the right road and lost their way, following the way Balaam went. Balaam was the son of Beor, who loved being paid for doing wrong. But a donkey, which cannot talk, told Balaam he was sinning. It spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the prophet’s crazy thinking.” 2 Peter 2v15-16 (NCV)

In Numbers 22v2-24v25, we see how Balak, the king of Moab, sent messengers unto a prophet named Balaam, requesting him to come and curse the people of Israel. While Balaam did not go this first time as the text read, if you continue reading the account, we find that the king sent more distinguished people to him and while God permitted him to go, He was displeased with him. As Balaam went on his way, the angel of the Lord stood in his way, and he thinking it was his ass acting up, beat it, until Balaam’s eyes were opened to see that it was the angel there. Now Balaam went, only saying what God would have him say, and afterwards what he felt pleased the Lord. Yet in 2 Peter 2v15-16 in the primary text above, he is not mentioned in a positive light. Why is this?

The Dakes concordance highlights “3 great sins of Balaam” (Num. 22:1-24:25): the way of Balaam, the error of Balaam and the doctrine of Balaam. Today we consider the way of Balaam. The way of Balaam is the love of the wages of unrighteousness and coveting the gifts of Balak (Num. 22:7, 17, 37, 24:11).” 2 Peter 2v15 says Balaam loved being paid for doing wrong. We see the gift that Balak wanted to offer to Balaam highlighted in Numbers 22:7, 17, 37, 24:11 (see text below). Are you being tempted one way or the other with riches and promotion and honor if you would do something that you know will displease the Lord? This is not new. Our Lord Jesus Himself was tempted yet without sin. Matthew 4v8-10 (AMP) tells us “Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.” Beloved, as our Lord Jesus did, resist the enemy. Do not fall into the error of Balaam. Our Lord Jesus can help you even in your temptation, Hebrews 2v18 (NIV) saying “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Supplementary Text

 “And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.” Numbers 22v7 (KJV)

“For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.” Numbers 22v17 (KJV)

“And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?” Numbers 22v37 (KJV)

“Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.” Number 24v11 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, I thank You so much for Your Word. Father, I pray that You would search my heart and remove everything of covetousness in me. Forgive me Lord in anyway I have received a wage of unrighteousness, and set me on the path of righteousness, in Jesus name, amen. Father, I pray You will not lead me into temptation, but deliver me from evil.