The Biblical character Balaam is best known for his conversation with his talking donkey. Unfortunately, his name is brought up most often in a negative sense. In the book of Revelation, Christ reproaches the Church of Per'gamum because there were some who followed the teaching of Balaam (Revelation 2:14). The apostle Peter warns us of false prophets who will come and lead us astray. As an example he refers to those who have followed the way of Balaam (2 Peter 2: 1,15). In the book of Jude, Scriptures tells us of those who have abandon themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error (Jude 1:11)
Balaam’s perception of God was in error. He tried to use his relationship with God for his own personal gain. As we look at his story, ask yourself, “What is my perceptions of God? Am I like Balaam? Do I follow in his ways? His teachings? His error?”
Balaam was the son of Beor and was from the town of Pethor. He was not an Israelite and therefore, not one of God’s chosen people. Balaam was a diviner by trade. A diviner is one who attempts to predict future events, or to reveal occult things by supernatural means. He had a reputation as one who had some knowledge of God, but also was known to follow after other gods. It was reputed that whomever Balaam blessed, they were blessed and whomever he cursed, they were cursed.
Balek, king of Moab feared for his life. The Israelites were taking the country by storm, and his kingdom was directly in their path. Balek, aware of Balaam’s ability to place a curse, sent his elders to ask Balaam to curse Israel. Motivated by the attention and promise of monetary gain, Balaam agreed to confer with God about Balek’s proposal. Balaam approached God who responded, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed (Numbers 22:12)." Since God doesn’t change his mind, this was his final answer.
That should have been it. God said “no.” But Balak, not use to having his requests turned down, sent out his princes to appeal to Balaam. Balaam, puffed up with pride that princes would appeal to him, and most assuredly offers of greater monetary reward, goes against God’s final answer and agrees to ask again. Not surprisingly, we read in Numbers 22:22 that “God’s anger was kindled” against Balaam and he sent out the angel of the Lord to “stand in his way as his adversary (Numbers 22:22).”
Next we read of Balaam’s discourse with his faithful donkey and how the donkey protects him from the wrath of the Angel of the Lord. Balaam finally overcomes his pride and admits his mistake. In Numbers 22:34 we read, “Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, ‘I have sinned, for I did not know that thou didst stand in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in thy sight, I will go back again.’" Balaam appears to be ready to forsake his quest, but God has another idea and through the angel of the Lord he tells Balaam, “Go with the men; but only the word which I bid you, that shall you speak (Numbers 22:35).” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
The story goes on to tell how Balaam, at Balak’s request, attempts three times to curse the Israelites, but instead Balaam is instructed by the Lord to bless Israel. An angered and somewhat frustrated Balak gives Balaam no reward for his failure to curse Israel. It would seem that our story should end here. Israel was the victor; Balak’s mission failed and Balaam went un-rewarded. But Balaam doesn’t give up. He gets his fee another way. Scripture does not provide explicit details of this, but does tell how it turns out. Balaam had shown Balak how to put a stumbling block in Israel’s way which resulted in a plague killing 24,000 Israelites.
Revelation 2:14 refers to this event and calls what they did the teaching of Balaam. It says, “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality (Revelation 2:14).”
Numbers 25 tells the details of this event. Balak, following Balaam’s teaching, encouraged the Moabite women to lead the Israelites astray. The Israelites began to cohabitate with the Moabite women who led them to eat their food, food prohibited by the law, and to worship their gods. This kindled the anger of the Lord and the resulting plague destroyed 24,000 Israelites.
I am sure it started out very innocently. But it ended in destruction. First the Israelites gave into their lustful desire for the Moabite woman. Then to please the Moabite woman, they ate their food that had been offered as a sacrifice to a pagan god. Then, most likely at the urging of the Moabite women they fell into worshiping the Moabite gods. Sin is like that. It starts out seemingly innocent. One thing leads to another, and then finally to death (see James 1:13-15).
Balaam was slain by the sword of the Israelites in Israel’s war against the Midianites, but he leaves us with the legacy of his error. What was Balaam’s error? Well, first of all, he was hard of hearing. He wanted his way. He saw an opportunity to make financial gain through his relationship with God. But God had said, “No.” Balaam knowingly violated God’s will. Instead of serving the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he served the god of financial reward and the gods of status and recognition.
There are some lessons we can learn from the life of Balaam. Balaam followed after other gods. There are many gods in this world: material things, wealth, power, status, recognition, prestige, etc. Do you follow after any of these?
Balaam was hard of hearing, are you? Pause for a moment and think, “Have you ever asked God for something knowing that his Word or his Church does not allow it?” Or maybe you saw a vision, heard his voice, or felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit responding “no” to your desire. How did you respond? Did you give it up? Or like Balaam, did you ignore God and continue to seek after it?
Balaam was a prideful person. How do you deal with pride? Scripture warns us that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).” All that we do and any status or recognition that we receive should be not for our own glory, but to glorify our Heavenly Father. Jesus tells us “Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16)”.
Scripture is written for our instruction (Roman 15:4). To avoid being reproached by Christ as the Church of Per’gamum was, or ending up as Balaam did, we must avoid Balaam’s teachings, following after his ways and his error. Rather than seeking after the temporary rewards of this world, we should focus on serving and pleasing God that we may one day hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25:21).”