Balaam
Numbers Chapter 22 to 25
King Balak of Moab sent for Balaam to curse the Israelites, Balaam told the delegates, “the LORD has refused to let me go with you” meaning he wanted to go, he liked the offer but God didn’t allow him go with them. Those delegates reported to the King, “this Prophet Balaam will come if only you can increase the offer, he will forget about God”
Truly, King Balak sent a larger number of leaders, who were more important than the first. The delegates told Balaam, the President is ready to reward you richly and do anything you ask for. Balaam didn’t want to appear cheap, he summoned courage to tell them, “even if Balak give me all the silver and gold in his palace, I will not disobey God” he immediately added “but PLEASE spend the night, so that I may learn whether or not the LORD has something else to tell me”
Why did Balaam beg them? Why PLEASE? he never begged the first delegate. God knew Balaam had made up his mind to go, so God told him to go.
While on the way, Balaam started thinking while riding on his donkey, “at last, I am totally free from poverty”, “this is the time to buy my own stretched Limousine, private Jet, ship, and Mansion”, “this is the time to get my own oil rings”. These were all the thoughts that were running through his mind. No wonder he did not see the angel that stood on the road to bar his way, whereas his anointed donkey could.
After making three attempts without succeeding and President Balak in anger has told him “go home! I promised to reward you, but the Lord has kept you from getting the reward”
As Balaam was about going, he thought about the things he was about losing, hence, he entered into discussion with Balak, “I was joking before, I actually know how you can handle Israelites, I don’t even need to curse them, it is the God that had been helping and fighting for them that will kill them.” Send your beautiful ladies into the camp of the Israelites, they love women, as soon as they start having sex with them, they will be killed by their God. It’s as simple as that!
The Israelites fell into the trap and God killed 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9). Balaam also died among God’s enemy (Numbers 31:7-8).
God sees the intention of every heart, and that is what matters to Him. He cannot be deceive by outward “show”. Loving worldly gains than our Lord Jesus and His ways invites unprecedented immediate and ultimate destruction. Don’t fancy it.
I pray God will give you the grace to love God more in Jesus name.
Rotimi Israel is a writer and a teacher of God’s word. He attended the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Bible School. He is also currently training as a pastor with a Pentecostal denomination. He loves reading the Bible and preaching.
