Lessons from Balaam

There is a difference between knowledge of God and knowing God.Balaam was a pagan seer. Balaam was the son of Beor and was from the town of Pethor. He was a diviner by trade. A diviner attempts to predict future events or reveal occult things supernaturally. It was reputed that whomever Balaam blessed, they were blessed, and whomever he cursed, they were cursed. But Balaam did not know God.

A man who devours others will soon be devoured himself. His name could mean devourer or glutton. He was a professional magician of a nomadic clan. He had a reputation for getting gods on his side. God spoke through him seven times! Was Balaam converted to God’s side? No. Next, we hear of him in Numbers 31:8, where he dies. Balaam was slain by the sword of the Israelites in Israel’s war against the Midianites, but he leaves us with the legacy of his error.

God can use pagans to teach believers some important lessons. Seven books of the Bible mention Balaam. This shows how important these events were in Israelite history. Balaam is condemned in 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, and Revelation 2:14. He is credited with suggesting the tactic of using sex to defeat the Israelites, resulting in 24,000 deaths (Numbers 25:9; 31:16).

Balaam was hard of hearing. He wanted his way. He saw an opportunity to make financial gain through his relationship with God. But God had said, “No.” Balaam was hard of hearing, are you? Pause momentarily and think, “Have you ever asked God for something, knowing that God's Word does not allow it?” Or maybe you saw a vision, heard his voice, or felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit responding “no” to your desire. How did you respond? Did you give it up? Or, like Balaam, did you ignore God and continue to seek after it?

Faith in God is not a statement but a lifestyle. Balaam said some wonderful things. He really did. When Balak’s servants offered Balaam a "diviner’s fee" (Numbers 22:7), his response was, "Though Balak was 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" (Numbers 22:18). When Balaam finally spoke with Moab’s king face to face, he declared, "The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak" (Numbers 22:38). Sadly, though, like others who have followed in his steps, Balaam’s later actions indicate that his heart was not right with God. Saying the right things is not enough; saying good things does not prove that we are in or will remain in the right relationship with the Lord.

The love of money is the cause of many downfalls. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). What does that truth do with Balaam? The king of Moab finally offered enough money to Balaam, and he gave in to the temptation. "Balaam sold his soul for the right price, advising Balak about how he could "get" the Israelites. For Balaam, it was all about "profit" (Jude 11). In 2 Peter 2:15, we read that Balaam "loved the wages of unrighteousness." Many good people have gone astray because of their unsatiated love of money.

These are the lessons of Balaam, and they’re still infiltrating the church and individual lives thousands of years later.

Application Questions:

Who or what are some false gods or teachers you are worshipping?

Quote:

Some ministers never speak of repentance or self-denial. Naturally, they are popular, but they are false prophets. - J. I. Packer

Prayer:

Lord, when I think of all your goodness in my life, help me never to complain like the Israelites or be greedy like Balaam. I thank you that you are a God who goes to great extremes to help me understand that it is holiness that matters and not happiness. Amen.