A Look At Balaam

UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS

A look at Balaam

INTRODUCTION: Balaam is a character who exhibits a purely human trait that some of us may very well have had, and even now struggle with, the willingness to do wrong if the price is right! Balaam was overcome with greed, and greed makes us do some unrighteous things.

2 Peter 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Paul would later instruct Timothy concerning the qualifications of deacons, and as such would deal with this issue of greed ….

1 Tim. 3:3

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Tim. 3:8

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

Money, in and of itself is not evil or filthy, yet it can be obtained in evil and sordid ways

I BALAAM THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET – NUMBERS 22:1-22

A Not a prophet, but a prophet

1 Was not a prophet of Israel

2 Claimed God as his own

Numbers 22:18 But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

3 Had a huge reputation

a Lived in Pethor of Mesopotamia

b Ability was known in Moab – 350 miles to the southwest

4 Was not a true prophet

a Intermixed idolatry and Judaism

Numbers 22:41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he saw part of the people.

Numbers 23:1-2 Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." 2Balak did as Balaam said, and the two of them offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

B Balaam visit

1 Balak’s group arrives

Numbers 22:6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

2 Balaam seeks God’s permission

Numbers 22:12 But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

a God spoke to Balaam

b Balaam refuses the invitation because God spoke to him

Numbers 22:13-14 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s princes, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you." 14So the Moabite princes returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWN WHY THERE WAS A NO!

§ Balaam said know because the Lord said so.

§ Balak’s princes did not communicate that part of the message.

§ Balak thought his price was too low.

§ Balak will up the price and put temptation in fromt of Balaam again

Numbers 22:15-19 Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16They came to Balaam and said: "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me." 18But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19Now stay here tonight as the others did, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me."

c Balaam reveals his insincerity

1) Does not dismiss them

2) Seeks to change the mind of God

Scripture refers to Balaam as an evil man:

2 Peter 2:15-16 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Rev. 2:14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.

Numbers 31:16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD’S people.