Balaam - 1
Numbers chapters 22-25
- Numbers 22:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho.
2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel.
4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, "Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field." And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: "Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!
6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
Balak could only think of one way out. Israel had to be cursed into weakness or destruction.
When Balaam, his paid helper realised this was not possible, he schemed a way out by making Israel mingle with Moab, make friends with them and live a life of compromise. Balaam, a Midianite became a mediator and the curse came on Midian!
As I walk in this world as a child of GOD, the enemy faces the same situation as Balak, and sets snares of compromise for me like what Balaam did.
- Numbers 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
This can only be said of GOD.
When this is said to you, it is Flattery.
If I have a connection with GOD and yet do not know GOD’S heart, and have greed for money or worldly possessions, I am a target for the enemy to employ me as his agent against GOD’S purposes. Example - Judas Iscariot.
- Numbers 22:7 (NKJV)
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner's fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.
A believer with a wrong motive is a target for the enemy - To be an instrument in the hands of the enemy to bring a curse on GOD’S people by making them to live a life of compromise.
Money or simple flattery could be the diviner’s fee that can buy me over to do what pleases men.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV)
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Numbers 22:17 (NKJV)
17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.' "
Honor from the enemy
All these attracted Balaam, making him willing to go and curse GOD’S people.
Do these things attract me?
- Numbers 22:13 (NKJV)
13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you."
Numbers 22:18 (NKJV)
18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
Balaam knew clearly the authority of the LORD.
Do I understand that in my prayers, declarations and actions I cannot go beyond GOD?
- Numbers 22:19 (NKJV)
19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me."
Although GOD made His will and instruction clear, Balaam kept the servants of Balak with him to further inquire from the LORD because his heart was not right with GOD.
Do I continue to seek GOD regarding a matter when I know deep in my heart that He has made His will plain to me?
- Numbers 22:20 (NKJV)
20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you--that you shall do."
GOD permitted Balaam to go in the direction his heart was set.
Imagine a man walking with 2 dogs, one on a leash and the other free, depicting commandment and covenant relationships respectively. One cannot but follow while the other will not but follow.
It is scary to imagine what would happen to the ‘commandment follower’ at the end of life’s journey when the leash is removed! We do not know when the end will come!!
Balaam is a typical picture of compromise.
Divination was his profession. He was serving Idols.
He was serving mammon.
He was serving the LORD.
Is my heart after GOD’S own heart like David’s?
Why am I serving GOD?
Psalm 32:8-9 (NKJV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
- Numbers 22:22 (NKJV)
22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
Balaam was acting as the messenger of the LORD and yet walking in the direction of cursing the people whom GOD had blessed. Quite clearly he was bringing GOD’S wrath and curse upon himself.
If I desire to serve the LORD, I must keep a check on the motives of my mind and the attitudes of my heart at all times.
Proverbs 19:3 (NKJV)
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
- Numbers 22:23-27 (NKJV)
23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again.
26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
Because Balaam’s heart was set on this path, he got angry with the donkey which hindered his progress.
Do I get angry and upset with anyone or anything hindering the my selfish pursuit?
- Numbers 22:33 (NKJV)
33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."
The LORD was gracious to give Balaam a chance to repent and turn back by putting road blocks on his path thrice without killing him immediately. Balaam acted more foolish and blind than his vehicle, the donkey who had to speak to him about the road block, in the form of an angel with a drawn sword!
Do I recognize the roadblocks GOD graciously puts in my path of stubbornness?
I can gauge my foolishness and blindness by the kind of person or thing the LORD uses to speak to me!
If we go on the wrong path or head in the wrong direction that leads to danger, don’t we see warning signs that speak loud and clear? WRONG WAY! GO BACK!!
- Numbers 22:38 (NKJV)
38 And Balaam said to Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak."
Every step of obedience makes the next step easier.
Every step of disobedience makes the next step more difficult. example - Jonah
As GOD’S good hand of mercy is on me, He gives me many chances to obey.
Have I learnt that every step of disobedience makes the next step more difficult?
- Numbers 22:39-23:1 (NKJV)
39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth.
40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.
41 So it was the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.
1 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams."
Compromise with idol worship. GOD is not there.
Do I have such sin in me?
- Numbers 23:3 (NKJV)
3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you." So he went to a desolate height.
Balaam had to leave a place of compromise to seek the LORD.
Do I seek the LORD until I find Him?
- Numbers 23:4 (NKJV)
4 And God met Balaam, and he said to Him, "I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram."
This is a typical picture of sacrifice rather than obedience. Fear of GOD together with a disobedient heart causes one to make unnecessary sacrifices.
Do I see this in my life?
