Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a blessed day, isn't it? A day filled with the promise of God's love and the assurance of His mercy. Each day we wake up is another opportunity to bask in His grace, to live out His word, and to grow in His wisdom. Today, we gather here, not just as individuals, but as a community united by faith, bound by love, and driven by the desire to understand God's message for us.

In our quest for understanding, we turn to the Bible, our guiding light, our compass in a world that often seems chaotic and confusing. Today, we turn our attention to the book of Numbers, specifically chapters 22, 23, and 24.

It is here that we meet Balaam, a prophet who was blinded by greed, boldly disobedient, and who faced bitter consequences. The story of Balaam is not just a tale from the past, but a timeless lesson for us all. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of straying from God's path and the consequences that follow when we allow worldly desires to cloud our judgement.

As we ponder on Balaam's story, let us remember the wise words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Beware, I pray thee, of presuming that thou art saved. If thy heart be renewed, if thou shalt hate the things that thou didst once love, and love the things that thou didst once hate; if thou hast really repented; if there be a thorough change of mind in thee; if thou be born again, then hast thou reason to rejoice: but if there be no vital change, no inward godliness; if there be no love to God, no prayer, no work of the Holy Spirit, then thy saying "I am saved" is but thine own assertion, and it may delude, but it will not deliver thee."

Let us now read together from the book of Numbers, chapters 22, 23, and 24: [Insert Scripture here].

Balaam's Blinding Greed

We find ourselves today in the book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24. A story unfolds before us, a story of a man named Balaam. It's a story that's as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It's a story about the human heart, about the choices we make, and about the consequences of those choices.

Balaam was a prophet, a man who had the ability to communicate with God. But Balaam had a problem. He had a weakness. He had a desire for wealth, for power, for prestige. And this desire, this greed, it clouded his judgement. It blinded him to the truth.

Now, let's take a closer look at this. Let's examine the choices Balaam made, the path he chose to walk, and the consequences of his actions.

A. First, let's look at Balaam's interaction with Balak, the king of Moab. Balak was afraid of the Israelites. He saw their numbers, their strength, and he was afraid. So, he sent messengers to Balaam, asking him to curse the Israelites. And what was Balaam's response? He said he needed to seek God's counsel.

On the surface, this seems like the right thing to do. But let's look a little deeper. Balaam didn't outright refuse Balak's request. He didn't say, "No, I will not curse God's people." Instead, he left the door open. He gave Balak hope that he might still get what he wanted. And why? Because Balaam was hoping for a reward. He was hoping for wealth, for power, for prestige.

Balaam's Bold Disobedience

Balaam's story takes a turn from his blinding greed to a bold disobedience ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO