Rev. Don Campbell
Numbers 23-26
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, March 5, 2019
“BALAAM,” A NAME THAT LIVES IN INFAMY
Balaam was not an Israelite nor a prophet of God. He was a soothsayer who practiced divination for a fee, much like the psychics and clairvoyants of today. That God spoke through him did not make him a prophet of God any more than God’s speaking to Balaam through his donkey made the donkey a prophet. As much as Balaam wished to give Balak a favorable reading, when he opened his mouth a blessing on Israel came out and a curse on Balak.
Not to be defeated, Balaam took a different approach. If he could not curse the Israelites, he would cause God to curse them. “While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the Lord, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.’ And Moses said to the judges of Israel, ‘Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor’” (Numbers 25:1-5). That this was Balaam’s idea is confirmed by Jesus who said that Balaam “taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14).
Little did this false prophet realize that people living over three thousand years later would be reading about his bargain with Balak, which was really a bargain with the devil. Peter warns of false prophets whose god is the god of mammon and whose gospel is the health and wealth gospel of greed:” But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed” (2 Peter 2:1-3).
CONNECTIONS – Daniel 11:32
1. Daniel speaks of a coming one who “Shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32). When the world flatters so-called church leaders of today, what are they really doing?
2. How does the “health and wealth” gospel seduce both those who preach it and those who listen to it?
