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In the New Testament, both Apostle Peter and Jesus mention the way of Balaam. The question is what went wrong with Balaam? Before looking at the New Testament, it might be good to study Balaam’s way in the Old.
Firstly, it was obvious that God forbade any treaty between the Ammonites and Moabites with the Israelites. One of the supporting verses is found in Deuteronomy 23:3-6. The scripture reference as below:
3 “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD forever,
4 because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.
5 Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
6 You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever. (Deuteronomy 23:3-6 NKJV).
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The NIV translation gives a clearer explanation:-
(NIV) 6 Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you live. (Deuteronomy 23:6)
Secondly, despite disallowing repeatedly, Balaam kept asking God for confirmation of His divine purposes. These are recorded on:-
– Numbers 22:5-14
– Numbers 22:15-20 (As scriptures are long, I won’t be attached here)
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Indeed, God tested Balaam in Numbers 22:9-10. Let’s read the exact scripture below:
9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, (Numbers 22:9-10 NKJV)
By asking “Who are these men with you” (verse 9), God was testing Balaam. And Balaam answered correctly that they were people of Moabite and Ammonite.
As a prophet, Balaam should know that God had already decreed, prohibiting them to have any dealing with Ammonite and Moabite, but he was still seeking God for direction. In other words, he was asking God to change His decree.
Yes, we can say that Abraham and Moses also pleaded with God to change His divine purpose. However, both Abraham and Moses pleaded for God’s people. Balaam was the opposite. He pleaded for God’s enemies. He wasn’t serving God’s interest.
Next, after pleading twice from Balaam, Numbers 22:20-21 states that:-
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.”
21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. (Numbers 22:20-21 NKJV)
I guess it is quite clear here. Verse 20 is saying “IF THE MEN COME TO CALL YOU….” God didn’t say, “since the men CAME to call… (Past tense) ”. Indeed, it is written in the present tense. I will take it as “if the men come to call you (again).”
However, Balaam was so eager. He went ahead of God. He went to meet the princes of Moab the next morning, without waiting for those men to call AGAIN (verse 21)
The story continues on Numbers 22:22-34 on how the Donkey and the Angel of God stopped him from moving forward. Frankly, he was so blinded by his ulterior motive that even a donkey can see the Angel of God, but not him.
It was only after his repentance in verse 34, that the Angel of God allowed him to go ahead. The scripture is as below:
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” (Numbers 22:34 NKJV)
Nevertheless, the Angel of God reminded him not to speak before/ ahead of Him in verse 35
(NKJV) 35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Numbers 22:35 NKJV)
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Total of 7 messages Balaam released from Numbers 23 to 24. Most of those messages were initiated by Balaam. Not God
Balaam’s message:-
– 1st Message
(Number 23:1-3 NKJV)
1 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.”
2 And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. (Numbers 23:1-3)
Notice, God didn’t ask him to build altars…. and that these altars were built for “me (Balaam)”, not for God.
Why build those altars? I guess Balaam was hoping to intercede for Balak. At least, he was hoping to change God’s decree. It wasn’t an instruction from the Lord to build those altars and offerings. God only spoke on Num 23:5. At least, Balaam has spoken before or ahead of the Lord.
– 2nd Message
Again Balaam agreed with Balak and even gave a burnt offering in Numbers 23:13-15. It wasn’t called by God. The Lord only spoke on Vs 16. Again, he went ahead of God or maybe would like to change God’s purpose by pleasing Him with those burnt offering
– 3rd Message
The same thing happened in the 3rd message written in Numbers 23:27-30.
Similarly in the 3rd message, Balaam didn’t just accept the invitation to go with Balak to another place to curse God’s people but also established 7 altars and offerings. Indirectly, he accepted to intercede to curse or reverse God’s blessings on His people.
It was only after the 3rd attempt (of reversing God’s blessing), that Balaam was convinced and conceded that God won’t change His decision. (cf Numbers 24:1)
(NKJV) 1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. (Numbers 24:1)
Numbers 24:1, indirectly imply that Balaam attempted to use “sorcery or divination” to reverse God’s purpose. This means those 7 altars and offerings were “sorcery or divination” methods
The rest of the messages (4th-7th) are self-explanatory. This would be what St Peter highlighted in 2 Peter 2:15-16. Truly, Balaam was prophesying with ulterior motives, for personal gains. He never put God first. His methods of 7 altars etc were deemed as sorcery or divination.
Based on Numbers 24:1, a prophet can be operated via sorcery or divination method at the same time. As Christians, we need His discernment.
Let’s visit 2 Peter 2:12-17 NKJV:-
12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,
13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (2 Peter 2:12-17)
Somehow Numbers 25:1 opens with this:-
1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. (Numbers 25:1 NKJV)
Interesting, Jesus rebuked the church of Pergamos in Revelation 2:14 on this:-
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14 NKJV)
A minister or prophet that teaches half-truths, will result in his members committing sexual immorality. Again, a man of God, can on one hand prophesy like Balaam, on the other hand, practice divination or sorcery. Interestingly, God still allows him to prophesy the number 4th- 7th messages.
Certainly, God hates false prophets and teachers. Despite that, God still allows these falsehoods and ministries to continue. Similarly, God allows the serpent in the Garden to test Adam and Eve. The testing ground is that, are Christians hearing and following His divine calling? A walk with Him is always a test of our hearts.
READ:-
BELIEVE AND THE GOSPEL
JESUS IS MY FRIEND – PART 1
I AM THE LORD WHO HEALS
TOP POSTS:-
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
SEE JESUS: (1 CORINTHIANS 10)
END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
ARISE, SHINE
CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
