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UT 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. (Revelation 2:14)
Just who was Balaam, and what was his role in God’s dealing with Israel? Balaam was a pagan prophet who prophesied truly on the words of the Lord on one occasion. He was greedy and cunning. He convinced King Balak to put a stumbling block before the Children of Israel in order to invoke the wrath of God against them. On a lighter note, the argument could be made Balaam was a member of the democrat party since his sole conveyance was a donkey.
A detailed account of Balaam can be found in Numbers 22-24. In this brief devotion, I will only touch on two significant highlights – the prophecy of Balaam according to God’s command, and the treachery of Balaam in the demoralization of the Children of Israel.
Though a greedy and false prophet, Balaam did hear and proclaim the prophecy that the Lord told him to pronounce to King Balak concerning the people of Israel. After much pleading by King Balak to curse Israel, Balaam stood up and prophesied thusly: “15 ¶And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. * 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.” The Star of Christ did arise and led the Magi to His very bedside.
Though Balaam did, indeed, prophecy truly as the Lord had spoken, his heart of greed and avarice was not changed. Jude speaks of him in this wise: “11 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. Jude 11 This verse amply describes Balaam’s character of greed. But what does the Book of Revelations mean in referring to the “doctrine of Balaam?” It was two-fold. Balaam taught King Balak an insidious means of causing Israel to lose their blessing of God. These are listed below:
1. Balaam taught Israel to sacrifice to idols and turn from God (the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols).
2. Balaam taught Balak to present a fleshly temptation before Israel to sleep with the Midianite women (fornication). “14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 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.” (2 Peter 2:14-15)
Until Israel returned to God after these sins and diversions, God refused to bless them. So, what does that bit of biblical truth have to do with us today? Are we not worse than Israel in going after strange and perverse flesh? Have we not turned to other gods in sacrificing our children to them in abortion mills, and those who survive in the mother’s womb are they not given over to every immoral teaching in the public schools?
Today is the time for national prayer and repentance for our beautiful and once-favored nation. It is high time to be spiritually awakened – and not WOKE - to the dire danger facing us and our children. Once God brings down the hammer of Judgment, the circumstance is not easily reversed.
Let’s get Balaam out of our schools, out of our governments, out of our society at large, and out of our homes, or else suffer the consequences of those nations of the past whose monuments have long been covered with the drifting sands of time.
