The Prostitution Of God's People

** In chapter 23 Balaam still tries to hold on to the world and God. He tried to get the answer from God that benefited himself. In chapter 24 Balaam hears what God is saying and tells Balak that whom God has blessed no man can curse. Balak is upset with Balaam for not cursing Israel they depart their separate ways Balaam goes back to his land and Balak back to his.

However in chapter 25 the spam hit the fan. Let’s look at what happens.

Chapter 25:1-3 “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” Israel is still settled in the plains of Moab, Balaam had been hired to curse Israel, Balaam tells Balak that he cannot curse what God has blessed; however, we see here that Israel begins to commit whoredom with the daughters of Israel.

Remember all of Moab was distressed because of Israel and what they had done unto the Amorites yet they invite them to their sacrifices and commit whoredom with them. Something happened to cause them to be comfortable enough to invite these people whom they feared to eat, drink, and worship with them, but what. Remember we are talking about the prostitution of God’s people. Balaam could not curse what God had blessed, but he knew that God would not stand for disobedience and that disobedience would bring God’s curse upon the people.

Look at Numbers 31:16 the Bible says “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.”

The word counsel according to Webster’s Dictionary is advice given especially as a result of consultation : a policy or plan of action or behavior.

14. The next blunder of Balaam was he sold out for filthy lucre which was the rewards of divination. Balaam gave Balak a plan of action to cause the Children of Israel to disobey God which would bring the curse upon them. That’s what is meant by the counsel of Balaam.

15. The counsel of Balaam placed a stumbling block in front of the Children of Israel. Luke 17:2 says “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Revelations 2:14 says “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.”

THE EFFECT OF BALAAM”S ILL ADVICE.

Numbers 25:1-3 “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” 31:16 says “Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.”