ADULT STS LESSON 109 BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS AND PROPHECIES
MEMORY VERSE: “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12).
TEXT: Numbers chapters 22 to 24
The defeat of Og, king of Bashan and Sihon, king of the Amorites with their people at Edrei and the possession of their lands by the children of Israel, brought distress to the Moabites. When the Israelites proceeded in their journey, they would have by-passed the land of Moab without any confrontation because of the divine instruction to spare it (Deuteronomy 2:9), but Balak, king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse them. Balaam’s covetous attitude made him to disobey divine instructions. His ill-advised adventure and prophecies form the focus of this study. But it is encouraging to note that while the enemy hatched the plot to curse Israel, the faithful God who watches over His people “neither slumber nor sleep”. He promptly rose to intervene against the diabolical plot of Balak and Balaam from being executed. Israel could not be cursed as God had declared them “blessed”. Believers should not be afraid of the evil plots of the wicked. In order to assuage our fears, He commands, “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:12,13).
1.PLOT TO CURSE 1SRAEL AND BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS.
Numbers 22:1-41, Deuteronomy 2:25, Acts 13:6-12; 2 Peter 2:15,16; Jude 11; Ephesians 5:3; Luke 12:15; Proverbs 15:27; Habakkuk 2:9; 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
News of the military escapades of the children of Israel unsettled Balak and he sought a diabolical way to fight them because he thought they were out to attack and destroy his land as they had done to other nations. Although Balak embarked on this path of self-defeat out of fear, his apprehension was unfounded as God had specifically told the children of Israel not to contend with the Moabites (Deuteronomy 2:9). The children of Israel were not after his land, yet fear of the unknown drove him into taking actions that would be detrimental to him and Balaam (Proverbs 28:1).
Balak’s action provides us some lessons:
one, that the advancement of the gospel is a major threat to Satan and his agents.
Two, in their fear, they could use all kinds of diabolical means in an attempt to hinder its progress. However, believers should not be afraid of any opposition of the enemy since God has promised to protect His faithful children. We should bear in mind that behind the boldface and stern look of the enemies is an overwhelming dread of God’s power working through believers.
The Lord’s assurance to Israel and to all believers is: “This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee (Deuteronomy 2:25). The same fear that moved Balak to attempt cursing Israel also jolted the people of Jericho to shut their high gates against Israel having failed to arrest the two spies (Joshua 2:1-11; 6:1). It is unfortunate, however, that God’s people are often afraid of the enemy rather than going ahead to win a resounding victory.
Three, believers should live and walk by faith so that their lives will not be controlled by fear of the unknown.
The disobedience of Balaam and God’s eventual judgment on him should serve as a deterrent to believers. Initially, Balaam acted as a prophet who truly depended on God. He sought God’s counsel to know whether to go with the ambassadors from Moab or not (Numbers 22:8-11). Then, God spoke clearly to him and he refused to go with them. However, when Balak sent more high-ranking officials with promises of greater reward and honour, Balaam began to shift his conviction. Eventually, he went back to God again and, of course, He permitted him. Here we see the decline of Balaam from God’s perfect will to His permissive will. We should beware lest a cherished or desired thing, which we harbour in the heart becomes a stumbling block in our walk with God. Whenever a person has an idol in his or her heart concerning a project or endeavour, God said that though the person approaches Him for guidance, He will answer the person according to the multitude of his preconceived idea (Ezekiel 14:1-5). Covetousness is a very subtle, dangerous and deadly sin. The Scripture equates it with idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Believers are warned: “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth“ (Luke 12:15).
It manifests in inordinate ambition as in the case of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-36); love for material property as in Achan (Joshua 7:1-26); lust for reward as seen in Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27); lust for money as in Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16); unrestrained appetites for food as in Esau (Genesis 25:29-34); quest for position as in the sons of Zebedee (Mark 10:35-40); and adulterous desire for one’s neighbour’s wife (Exodus 20:17). The list is endless. God became angry with Balaam for violating His clear instruction not to go with Balak. He knew he was being propelled by greed rather than godliness. God permitted him because of the hardness of his heart. But while Balaam was in the way, the angel of the Lord intercepted him thrice. On each occasion, instead of realising his perversion, repenting and returning unto God’s perfect will, he was goaded on because of the promise of gain and promotion. Even when Balaam’s ass was made to speak, the prophet’s greed and covetousness robbed him of common reasoning (2 Peter 2:16). Interestingly, Balaam acknowledged his sin but failed to repent. It is not enough for a person to confess his sins; there must be a practical turning away from those sins before one can obtain God’s mercy. Balaam went on in disobedience. As soon as Balak saw him, he reprimanded him for delaying his coming. He also boasted that he had the power to promote him to honour. This is always the case whenever children of light belittle themselves by compromising with the people of the world. Compromise brings believers to such a low level that gives the wicked an opportunity to boast and deride the body of Christ. Thus, Balaam became another warning post for heaven-bound pilgrims. The failed prophet has gone from the stage and it is our turn to choose either to obey God and be blessed or to disobey Him and face the consequences in time and in eternity (2 Peter 2:16).
2.PRESERVATION AND BLESSEDNESS OF THE CHOSEN
Numbers 23:1-30; 24:1-9; Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Psalm 91:1-16; 1 Kings 8:56; Isaiah 43:1-4; 54:17.
Despite the instruction of God, Balaam asked Balak to “build… seven altars, and prepare… seven oxen and seven rams“ (Numbers 23:1) in an attempt to curse the people of God. Balak determinedly made huge investments, including rearing altars at a high place of Baal, Pisgah and Peor and on three different occasions sacrificing a total of 21 oxen and 21 rams. The persistence and struggle of this wicked duo against their imagined enemy is worthy of note. If men would exact so much energy to fight against their perceived enemies, how believers should engage firmly and untiringly against the enemies of their souls in spiritual warfare. While the sacrifices were burning, Balaam went to a quiet place, apparently to have an opportunity to commune with God. It is, however, clear that he was doing the right thing at the wrong place and time having known God’s mind about the mission he had embarked on. For the true believer, solitude gives a good opportunity for communion with God as seen in the practice of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) Though Balak’s expectation was not met, he did not give up. However, in all, Balaam ended up blessing Israel saying “How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?” (Numbers 28), and declared further, “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel…” (Numbers 23:23). In the spiritual battle against Israel, the faithful God stoutly defended His people against the evil allies and the enemy of the righteous nation was disappointed, defeated and confounded. As a matter of fact, there was confusion in the camp of Balak as he could not agree with his hired prophet, Balaam. The unchanging God had declared, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:18). God used Balaam’s mouth in his first and second prophecies to reecho what He had promised centuries back. Believers should therefore, rejoice because there is not a Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Balak or Herod anywhere who can withstand the almighty God. Israel was under His impenetrable protection. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Balaam’s submissions also reveal some of the attributes of God: He is omnipotent: unlimited in power, grace and resources; “and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35); “…hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). He is omniscient: He knows the end from the beginning. He knows where the traps of the enemies are. He guides, leads, helps, sustains and protects believers. He is absolutely dependable. He is omnipresent: He is everywhere Egypt or Canaan. And He has promised: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exodus 33:14). At this time of intense conspiracy of Balak and Balaam, Israel rested in the God of battles. They enjoyed His presence, protection and preservation because “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel…“ (Numbers 23:21). As long as the nation kept her garment of righteousness clean, no enemy could prevail against her through curses, enchantments and divinations (Proverbs 26:2).
- PROPHECIES CONCERNING CHRIST’S KINGDOM AND CALAMITIES OF THE HEATHEN
Numbers 24:10-25; Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:6,7; Zechariah 9:10; Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:13,14; Micah 5:2; Revelation 12:10; Exodus 17:14; Revelation 6:8-17; Hebrews 12:29; 10:31.
Following Balaam’s inability to curse Israel, Balak was enraged and dismissed him. In response, Balaam reiterated his dilemma and said to Balak: “…come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days” (Numbers 24:14). This led to a set of prophecies that spanned beyond the lifetime of Balaam. God opened his eyes and gave him revelations concerning the future of His people and other nations. The depth and scope of Balaam’s vision shows that the Lord is not restricted in the choice of channel through which He makes His will and purpose known. His ways are past finding out (Isaiah 40:28). One specific note of the prophecies is concerning the Messiah, “a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre… out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Christ is the “bright and morning star“ and “the sceptre [that] shall not depart from Judah“. This prophecy points to Christ’s eventual reign over all nations and kingdoms of the earth during His millennial reign. Balaam also prophesied concerning the heathen nations. At his time, Amalek was the chief of nations (Numbers 24:23) but God had vowed to wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven because of their wickedness (Exodus 17:14,16). He also spoke concerning the Kenites, Ashur, Eber, Edom and others who ignored the commandments of God. No one is secure outside Christ.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What should be the believers’ attitude to threats against their lives?
- What do we learn from the action of Balak in hiring Balaam to curse Israel?
- In what ways does covetousness manifest itself in people’s lives?
- Why were Balaam and Balak unable to curse Israel?
- What can believers do to enjoy constant preservation from the enemy?
- Mention some attributes of God stated in this study.
- What type of judgment awaits unrepentant heathen?
