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Lessons From Balaam, One Who Loved The Wages Of Unrighteousness The account of Balaam is one of intrigue; it is as if he struggles between right and wrong but in the end tries to bend God to his will and finds himself fighting against God. |
Lessons From Balaam, One Who Loved The Wages Of Unrighteousness
The account of Balaam is one of intrigue; it is as if he struggles between right and wrong but in the end tries to bend God to his will and finds himself fighting against God.
- The Blinding Nature of the Love of Money
- 1 Tim. 6:10 — Balaam seems to be blinded by his desire to be made rich/honorable by Balak; God told him that he would not be able to curse Israel, yet he kept trying.
- It seems his expressions of wanting to serve God were only masks that hid his desire to sway God’s opinion so he could do what he wanted (2 Pet. 2:14-16; Jude 11).
- Balaam could be swayed to compromise, God cannot
- Num. 23:19 — Balaam was willing to change to meet the demands of people, but God would not. Not even all the sacrifices would cause God to change His mind.
- God said that He would not allow Israel to be cursed and He remained true to His promises (22:12; 23:8, 20-21).
- The Power Of A Negative Influence
- 1 Cor. 15:33 — Balaam could not turn God against Israel but he could get Israel to turn from God.
- By his counsel Moab would befriend Israel to turn them to their gods and so displease God (Num. 25:1-3; 31:16).
- One must live the life of the righteous, to die the death of the righteous (Num. 23:10) —Balaam might have had this desire but he did not live like it or die like it. He died among the enemies of God (Josh. 13:22) (Matt. 7:21; Rev. 14:13)
