Balaam . . . The Prophet Who Sold His Soul

Numbers 23:1 - 12 BALAAM . . . THE PROPHET WHO SOLD HIS SOUL

1. Balaam's Danger 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

The Danger Of :- Rebellion 15 Which have forsaken the right way, Rejection and are gone astray,

Regression following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor,

Relaxation who loved the wages of unrighteousness,

Renunciation 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Balaam as a schemer, a miser, and an enemy of righteousness Rev. 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Num. 22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

2. Balaam's Decision Ch 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. Notice There was :- Haste Involved rose up in the morning Honour Involved and went with the princes of Moab. Hurt Involved 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: Hindrance Involved angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him.

3. Balaam's Disclosure Num. 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. It was a Divine Work Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

It was a Dynamic Work and he saw the angel of the LORD Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

It was a Dreadful Work the angel standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand There was Immanent Danger, Immediate Danger, Immeasureable Danger. Balaam was never in greater Peril

It was a Demanded Work and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face

4. Balaam's Defilement

Peter said the man "loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15). When the Lord sent a letter to the church at Pergamos, He said, "But I have a

few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication" (Rev.2:14). He was remembered as a :- Covetous Man loved the wages of unrighteousness, Callous Man who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel Cunning Man to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication Cursed Man Notorious for his evil influence

5. Balaam's Discovery Num 23:7 - 9

(a) Their Protection 23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God‘s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (b) Their Promise 24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. That is a reference to the church's victory over her enemies and to the fact that she obtains through Christ the King a full recompense for all that she endures at the hands and mouths of her enemies. Balaam is foretelling his own and Balak's destruction at Israel's hands and the destruction of all the enemies of the church. (c) Their Prosperity ch. 24:5-6. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. Romans 5 v 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (d) Their Praise 23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! (e) Their Peace 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! 6. Balaam's Desire Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! What A :- (a) Revelation (b) Request (c) Recognition Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 7. Balaam's Death Joshua 13: 21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country. 22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.