The Way of Balaam

by:  Matt Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

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04/14/96 - Peru, IN

 

I.  Introduction.

A.  Throughout the Scriptures, we are told of Balaam.  You have probably read about him when you study the book of Numbers.

1.  He is mentioned directly in at least 3 places in the pages of the NT.  The trouble he caused is mentioned in other places.  He stands as a symbol of someone who went against God’s ways and suffered the consequences.

B.  The times of Balaam:

1.  Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  They were marching toward Canaan.

a.  In 22:1-4, Balak afraid because of their presence.  This is because of what happened in 21:32-35.

b.  Balak calls Balaam - a soothsayer.

1.  wants Balaam to pronounce curse on Israel.

2.  Balaam recognized who God was - but probably not as the only God.  It is probable that he doubted the Lord’s power...22:7-8

c.  Balak offers Balaam great riches, power, prestige if he will only curse Israel.

1.  This caused great temptation, but he had to stay & hear what the Lord was going to say.

2.  v. 20-21 - he wanted those riches and good things.

d.  Then the story of Balaam & the donkey is recorded.

1.  The angel told him to go to Balak & speak but only what the Lord told him to say.

e.  Throughout the 4 prophecies, Balaam is never able to curse Israel.

1.  He probably wanted to, but couldn’t.  24:10-14

2.  Num. 24:25 - Indicates that immediately after the 4th prophecy the men went on their separate ways.  But some scholars believe otherwise.

a.  In Josepheus’s Antiquities, Balaam, after departing Balak, sent for him & advised him what he could do to have some effect for bad on the Israelites.  Balak would send beautiful women into Israel to tempt & seduce them - so that they would fall into idolatry.

b.  Num. 25:1 tells the story.

c.  Rev.  2:14 backs this story up.

1.  24000 died by a plague sent by the Lord b/c of idolatry.

3.  Balaam was the cause of much grief in the land of Israel.  Israel got revenge in Num. 31:8 - while destroying the Midianites.

C.  In this lesson, we want to look at the motives and ways of Balaam, and make sure they are not present in our lives.  By the end of the lesson, we will see that we must not forget God’s way regardless of the offered rewards.

 

II.  Balaam’s way was a way of:

A.  Pretense Obedience.

1.  Numbers 22:13, 18 - Balaam seemed to obey the Lord.

a. But it is clear that he did not want to.  he only obeyed when he wanted to.

b.  In 22:20-21, he did not obey the Lord as He had instructed him.  He took it upon himself to do what he wanted to.

2.  There are many in our world who do just the same.

a.  Only faithful when they want to be.

1.  give God the leftovers of their time, money, service.

2.  have a bad or apathetic attitude toward spiritual things.

b.  Not committed to the Lord or His work.  Because of:

1.  selfishness - attitude problem...

2.  fear of failure, etc.

c.  Some do their best looking like they are obey Him.

1.  Jesus mentioned people such as this in Luke 6:46 - But Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?

3.  The Lord requires obedience - but it is obedience from the heart. - Rom. 6:17-18

a.  By doing so we can be set free from sin & can be slaves of righteousness.

4.  Then there are those who pretend to follow God, but insist on teaching their own doctrines.  They have substituted man’s things for God’s.  Jesus called people like this hypocrites in Mt. 15:7-9.

5.  Are you obeying the Lord from the heart - or pretending to do so?

 

B.  A Fixed Heart.

1.  It was evident that after studying chapts 22-24 of Numbers that Balaam’s heart was fixed upon satisfying self and not the Lord.

a.  His heart was fixed on hurting the Israelites in some shape, form or fashion.

2.  It is in the nature of man to fix his heart on something.  Seen in the Scriptures.  For example:  1 Sam. 8:5-6

a.  Israel’s heart was so fixed on getting a king, they would not listen to Samuel anymore.  They were determined to get a king at no matter the cost.

3.  The people of Jesus’ day had their hearts hardened in unbelief. 

a.  Matt. 13:15 - they did not want to believe that He was the Christ.  They had their heart fixed on an earthly king.

4.  The writer of Hebrews gives us a warning in Heb. 3:12-15.

a.  Sin & the lust thereof can harden our hearts.

b.  A reference is made in this passage to the Israelites rebellion at Kedesh.  This is where Moses & Aaron sinned before the Lord.  Numbers 20:13 says that Israel contended with the Lord at Meribah.

c.  Our hearts can be hardened by many things.  To the point sometimes of no return.

d.  If our heart is fixed upon evil - we will pay the price.

 

C.  Kindling the Anger of the Lord.

1.  In verses 20-22 of Num. 22- God’s anger was aroused against Balaam.

a.  Because he did not follow Him.  Balaam wanted to go of his own accord.

b.  When we go against God, we will kindle His anger.

2.  2 Thess. 2:10-12 talks about those who do not have a love for the truth. 

a.  If we do not have a love for the truth - but have pleasure in unrighteousness, then we will be condemned.

b.  God has given us the opportunity to follow Him.  We have his word to follow, and we need to obey Him of we want to be pleasing to Him.

1.  Jesus said, He who is not with Me is against Me

2.  If we have pleasure in unrighteousness, the lust of the flesh, then we will arouse the anger of the Lord.

3.  Heb. 10:31 sums it up - It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

a.  How terrible it will be to suffer the punishment of Hell!  It will happen to us, if we are not faithful to Him!

 

D.  Influencing Others to Sin.

1.  Rev. 2:14 talks of how Balaam persuaded Balak to send women into the camp of the Israelites and get them into idolatry.

a.  Because of this influence - 24000 men of Israel died, and he caused the eventual destruction of himself and the land he lived in.  Israel defeated the Midianites in Num. 31.

2.  Everyone has an influence.  Someone is influenced by the things that we do.

a.  If we follow the Lord only in pretense, we could possibly be influencing someone in that manner.

b.  If we have our heart fixed on sin, we could possible be influencing someone in that manner.

c.  But,  If we follow the exhortation of Paul in Rom. 13:12-14, it will be impossible for us to influence others to sin...

1.  Notice the sense of urgency or haste that Paul has.  We need to do it while we have the opportunity, because we never know when Christ is coming.

3.  How is your influence?  Let us be careful how we live our lives, so that we will not lead someone to sin b/c of the actions we have done.

 

E.  Ultimate destruction.

1.  Those who have these attitudes of Balaam, will suffer the consequences.

a.  Gal.  6:7-10

1.  If we are governed by selfishness - our desires & wants, by the lust of the flesh...

2.  If we love to walk in unrighteousness, we will lose our salvation.  To be carnally minded is death - Paul in Rom. 8:6

b.  Balaam met his ultimate destruction - Num. 31:8  He was killed in the battle between the Israelites and the Midianites.

2.  Since we reap what we sow, it is important that we sow that which is good, so that we will receive the reward of Heaven.

a.  This should be the goal that motivates us to do what is good.

 

III.  Conclusion.

A.  From this lesson, we see that we must not forget God’s way regardless of the offered rewards.  A reward other than heaven is simply not worth it.

1.  Eve realized this after she sinned in the garden of Eden.  Genesis 3:14-16.

2.  Cain realized this after he killed his brother Abel - Genesis 4:13 - My punishment is greater than I can bear.

3.  David realized it after he committed sin with Bathsheeba - 2 Sam 11 & 12.

4.  The rich man realized it after he died and went to Hades.  Luke 16:19-31

B.  How long will it take for you to realize that sin doesn’t pay? 

1.  Why not turn your life to Him today?  Are you following in the way of Balaam?  Come to Him before it is everlastingly too late.