Christ in all the scriptures
The intriguing story of Balaam Numbers 22v1-25v9
The Spirit of God devotes more than 3 whole chapters to the narrative of the soothsayer Balaam at a crucial time in Israel's history. As such, it deserves our special attention. We may well ask, what is the message that Balaam (gifted by God, who paid no more than lip service to the things of God, who deceived Israel into immoral and idolatrous ways), has for us today? A cursory reading of Numbers 22-25 may lead us to view this man as loyal to God, since (as we shall see in the course of the study) he gave a most excellent sevenfold discourse on the character of God, which is most revealing; he spoke to God directly, and God to him; he spoke for God to king Balak of Moab; he pronounced a blessing upon Israel such as cannot be rescinded. Surely such a man is a godly man who must be followed and revered! Not so, reveals the New Testament, which gives the reality of this man, and issues a warning not to be deceived. The New Testament refers three times to Balaam and his deception:
The WAY of Balaam 2nd Peter 2v15 "...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: but was rebuked for his iniquity...".
The ERROR of Balaam Jude v11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core (Korah).
The DOCTRINE of Balaam Revelation 2v14 "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 stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication".
This emphatic threefold revelation of the true Balaam, focuses on his way (practice), his error (influence), his doctrine (teaching). A wrong way becomes a lifestyle and then a doctrine, the doctrine of demons. The reality is that the way and error and doctrine of Balaam is the way to eternal punishment. Judas Iscariot was an apostle of Jesus Christ, who spent over three years in His company, accompanied the group on missionary enterprise, performed miracles in His name, exorcised unclean spirits, healed all manner of disease and sickness (Matthew 10v1-4); yet he was in reality "the son of perdition", and he, with Balaam, serves as a warning to us. It may be argued that these are extreme examples that do not apply to the rank and file of professing believers, but a closer inspection may suggest otherwise.
The Sovereign Lord blesses humanity with many gifts and talents. This should be obvious when we consider the many wonderful abilities given to mankind. Humanity, the highest order of earthly creation, has been endowed with many and varied gifts from above. Exodus 31v1-11, God endowed Bezaleel with the gift of craftmanship to construct the Tabernacle. 1st Kings 3v5-12, He endowed Solomon with extraordinary wisdom to rule over Israel. The bible is replete with spiritual gifts given to His people to enable them to carry out their function for God (Romans 12v3-8; 1st Corinthians 12v1-12 and 27-31; Ephesians 4v11-16; 1st Peter 4v10-11. James wrote (1v17) "Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness nor shadow cast by turning". The context is that He is not the source of evil, but the blessed source of all that is good. God has gifted all men from His bountiful and wonderful supply. Balaam was in receipt of an outstanding gift, which had gained him a huge reputation. God has endowed humanity with His bounty, artistically, academically, aesthetically, athletically. He is a giving God, He "gives to all men liberally and upbraideth not"-James 1v5. That is the gifts He gives come without "strings attached", for He well knows our frailty.
Balaam used his gift for evil intent. It is not immediately obvious but the picture is of a man who used his God-given ability to swell his finances, to gain personal influence and to bring down God's people whom he knew were irreversibly blessed of God. The issue is not the source of the gift, but the use to which it is put. Balaam abused the precious gift he was given, as he used it for himself, for his own glory, for his own benefit. He corrupted the Divine gift bestowed upon him, such a gift that few men would ever receive. He was greedy, motivated by the love of money ("the root of all evil"). He bestrode with impunity the royal courts of Moab, playing the king for all he could get. Before we shake the head in disgust, we might ask, what are we doing with the gift God has given us? We all have been endowed with gifts from above, particularly those who have been saved by grace. Am I using it to gain a name for myself, or to enrich myself, or am I using it (as I should) for the glory of the Giver? Many have followed in Balaam's footsteps, and it is the path to eternal oblivion. The very people that he wanted to fail, brought his life to an end (Numbers 31v8 and Joshua 13v22), while he was fighting with Israel's enemies.
Evil that men do can last for centuries of time Revelation 2v17 The doctrine of Balaam did not die with Balaam, as it was present in the churches at Pergamos and Thyatira (some 1500 years later), and is present in the professing churches of today. in the same way, Babylon, which first raised its ugly head at the beginning of time (Genesis 11) is found at the end of time in Revelation 17/18-still professing godliness but practising evil. There are many other such examples. All will come to a similar end when Christ returns.
This unusual, but very pertinent bible story, serves as a warning to all professing believers today
The gift that you have from a bountiful God is to be used for the glory of God. "As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any minister (serve), let him do it as of the ability that God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1st Peter 4v10-11. Any gift from above is to be used for the glory of God who gave it, without whom we would not have it!! Balaam used it for self glory, and many are doing so now. Balaam paid lip service to the Lord but his heart was far from God. God said of Israel in Isaiah 29v13, "Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men". What a withering condemnation to a people professing to be the people of God! Lip service, heart far removed! How is it with me? Do I attend the services to please men? Do I sing for my own glory? Do I speak to gain a name for myself? Do I enrich myself in the things of God? Am I helping to build God's kingdom or my own?
Modern ways in which the doctrine of Balaam is being perpetuated.
The Lord linked the doctrine of Balaam to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans-Revelation 2v15. The name means "power over the people"-the possible beginnings of clergy over laity, such as exists in churches today. Whether we think of mainstream churches with their Bishops or Archbishops; of Presbyterians with their presbyters; or Elders in breakaway evangelical churches, there is no doubt that churches have become a paradise for men's ego. In biblical terms "lording it over God's heritage" or "loving to have the pre-eminence among them". Associated with this is the practice of turning a blind eye to known evil among them, as exposure may have a detrimental effect on their image locally and in a wider area. Pleasing men rather than God is at the heart of this. Concern is for reputation before men rather than character before God. Worse than this is the corruption of the grace of God, teaching that because God is so gracious as to forgive every sin without recall, they justified immoral behaviour, and indeed promoted it. Jude the apostle said it was "turning the grace of God into lasciviousness"; Paul said with horror, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!-Romans 6v1-2. Perish the thought, says Paul, this must never be! How typical of mankind to take the sacred things of God and turn them to perversion. This error is prevalent today, if not so much in our teaching, it is in our thinking and our practice.
We shall see in the course of the study, what the doctrine of Balaam entailed, but first we shall revel in the wonderful proclamations of God and His salvation. Balaam is gone, God's salvation remains forever, and so we can enjoy such a portion as this for our edification.
I implore readers to read Numbers 22v1-25v9 as we enter upon a fascinating, if solemn study.
