YOUTH STS LESSON 149 THE BLESSINGS OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES

ADULTS STS LESSON 109 BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS AND PROPHECIES

TEXT: Numbers 22:1-41; 23:1-30; 24:1-25

 

MEMORY VERSE: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 (Numbers 24:17).


Today’s lesson is based on one of the most practical moral teachings of the Old Testament. Therein, we shall see the fear and plots of the enemies of the people of God: Balak, the king of Moab, and the princes of Midian. We shall also see the compromise of a backslidden prophet who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15) and the consistency and faithfulness of God to His unchanging promises. While Balak can be easily condemned, Balaam’s covetous attitude calls for serious rebuke. Christian youths should learn a lot from these. Balaam had been cautioned by God and forbidden to go with Balak. However, he persisted until he got God’s permissive will, which made him set forth to go with the king’s representatives to curse Israel. Balaam pronounced these powerful words concerning Israel saying “…Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee” (Numbers 24:9).

Question 1: Who was Balaam?
Balaam was initially a true prophet who heard the words of God, had the knowledge of the most High, saw the vision of the Almighty but turned back from the Lord because of covetousness (Numbers 24:15,16; 2 Peter 2:15,16). At the latter part of his life, he became a wicked counsellor, a compromiser and a covetous man who loved the wages of unrighteousness (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14; 2 Peter 2:15,16; Jude 1:11), which earned him God’s judgement (Numbers 31:8).

  1. THE PLOT TO CURSE ISRAEL .

Numbers 22:1-41; Proverbs 28:1; Daniel 6:4-9; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Acts 8:18-24; Isaiah 54:17; 41:12,13; Romans 8:31.


Israel just conquered Sihon and Og, two kings of the Amorites. The Amorites, in time past, defeated and subdued Moab (Numbers 21:26). Balak the king of Moab, having seen that Israel defeated them, became afraid. “And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel (Numbers 22:3). Moab was ignorant of God’s command of not allowing the children of Israel to take their land. And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession (Deuteronomy 2:9). Evil and wickedness in man always bring fear even when there is no need to be afraid (Proverbs 28:1).

Question 2: Why are youths sometimes fearful?
Ignorance of God’s favour on the Moabites made Balak to plan an attack on Israel impatiently. He consulted his princes and the Midianites. In the same way, ignorance of God’s promises makes some youths to be fearful over situations, which He has already taken care of. This makes them to take actions that are against His will. Some boys and girls fear unnecessarily over threats from the enemies instead of praying and having faith in God. Israel, in their journey after conquering the Amorites, pitched their tents in the plain of Moab. This became very distressing and uncomfortable for Moab and they felt the need to do something. “And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the words of Balak (Numbers 22:7). They consulted Balaam for his prophetic power against the children of Israel. Balaam was warned by God not to “...go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). He was enticed by the gift of divination. After he had been warned of God not to go with them, he still chose to consult God the second and third times. The Bible reveals to us later that it was because he …loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15). He was a covetous prophet. Balaam could not give details of what God told him to the princes sent to him (Numbers 22:12,13).

Question 3: What is the danger of accepting ungodly gift?
“Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:7). A gift with bad motive makes someone to be enticed to do evil (Proverbs 1:10-15). A gift makes a man to alter just judgment (Deuteronomy 16:19). It leads an individual to corruption (2 Peter 2:15). Gifted youths in the choir or other areas of work in the church are not to commercialise their gifts and talents. God gave these different gifts to edify the church (Ephesians 4:11,12). “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the.word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do (Numbers 22:20). From the above references, God gave Balaam the permission to go with them to test him. The Lord promised anyone that approaches Him with idol in the heart to answer him accordingly (Ezekiel 14:4). Youths should learn how to seek and do God’s will at all times even if it will deny them some temporary gains. God watched Balaam pursue the course of his heart due to the wages of unrighteousness. He registered His disapproval by sending His angel to withstand him on his way. Balaam did not see the angel at first. This shows how one with great spiritual gift and endowment may be blind to his spiritual state. God revealed Balaam’s corruption through His angel. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me” (Numbers 22:32). Ordinarily, he should have gone back, but his eyes were on the honour promised him. It was no wonder, therefore, that all he made was half-hearted confession “…I have sinned…” (verse 34).

Question 4: What is the danger of seeking for success by all means?
Balaam’s love for Balak’s gifts was so irresistible to the extent that after divine disapproval, he still did not have the moral strength to.turn back. …if it displease thee, I will get me back again” (verse 34). Seeking success at all costs leads to yielding to evil means of getting it. It leads to compromise, backsliding and eternal damnation. Despite Balaam’s disobedience, God maintained His stand to defend His children.

2.THE PRESERVATION OF A RIGHTEOUS NATION.

Numbers 23:1-30; Psalms 10:3; 37:12-14; 121:1-8; Jeremiah 36:26; Daniel 6:22,23; 2 Timothy 4:16-18; Psalm 91:1-16.

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? (Numbers 23:8). Balaam, hired by Balak tried to curse Israel. He requested Balak to build an altar for him where he could listen to the words of God and get anointing to be able to utter curses that would render the Israelites powerless. In spite of the clear injunction from God regarding the children of Israel, Balak tried to see if there could be any contrary prophecy concerning Israel. Some lessons from the efforts of Balaam and Balak to note are as follows:

(i) the enemies are always plotting the downfall of believers.

(ii) The enemies never give up on their wicked plots and evil pursuits. Believers should always take the world as a battlefield.

(iii) Greed can make the greatest of men join hand with the wicked to do evil. Christian youths should not allow promises of any success, wealth or friendship to make them join hands with the wicked like Balaam did (Exodus 23:2)

(iv). Telling half truth to the princes of Moab by Balaam is condemnable (Numbers 22:12-14).

(v) Balaam’s initial outstanding testimonies were tarnished.

(vi) The actions of Balak are symbolic of the devil and his agents today. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Question 5: Why would God not allow Israel to be cursed?
Balaam, in his utterances, explained why God was so passionate about preserving Israel. He stated that “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them (Numbers 23:21). Godliness is a preservative that ensures that youths who put their trust in God are not ashamed. The psalmist exemplified this in his prayer when he said, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2). However, the protection and preservation of God remains only as long as Israel walked with God.

  1. THE PROPHECIES OF BALAAM

Numbers 24:1-25; Jeremiah 17:5-17; Isaiah 30:1-5;Genesis 49:9-12; Jeremiah 48:42-47; Daniel 2:44,45;4:3,34; 7:13,14,17,18,26,27;9:24; Isaiah 9:6,7; Revelation 11:15:John 3:3,5;2 Peter 2:14-19; Jude 11-13.
Finally, Balaam accepted the will of God regarding the children of Israel when he discovered that there was nothing he could do to change the heart of God. He discovered that God had destined Israel for exploits and described the nation a:

(a) valleys that are spread forth, displaying their vastness and numerical strength

(b) gardens by the river’s side, showing the fruitfulness and beautiful order of the camp of Israel;

(c) the trees of lign aloes, which the Lord planted and accounted for their being favoured and a priced treasure to God and

(d) cedar trees beside the waters showing forth their majesty, goodness and strength.

 

Balaam further prophesied concerning the future exploits of Israel. He prophesied that the kingdom of Israel shall be greater than that of Agag who was the king of Amalek. His prophecy also pointed to the coming of the Messiah who shall be the most powerful King (Numbers 24:19). Therefore, the desire of Balak, king of Moab, was disappointed (Numbers 24:10). He then sent the prophet away for not cursing the children of Israel. Balak then said, …I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour (Numbers 24:11). Christian youths should know that it is dangerous to trust and have confidence in creatures (men) instead of the Creator (God). The admonition of the Scripture is, “…Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5).

Question 6: What are the consequences of putting our trust in men?
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psalm 146:3). The consequences of putting our trust in men include: disappointment, distress, discouragement and defeat. It might lead to backsliding, shame, failure, fruitlessness, prayerlessness and powerlessness (Jeremiah 17:5; Numbers 24:11). However, examples abound in the Bible of those who trusted in the Lord and were not disappointed.

These include Abraham (Romans 4:19-21), David (Psalm 28:7), Daniel (Daniel 6:20-23), Paul (Acts 27:22-25) and many others. Our prayer should be, “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man” (Psalms 108:12).

Question 7: What was the cost of Balaam’s compromise?
Balaam was a compromiser (Numbers 22:7-13,15-22). His desire for gain led to his loss of everything. He received no reward from Balak, because he could not curse Israel. Also, he received no reward from God, because he had wished to curse His people. It is the same thing with those who are churchgoers but have affections for unrighteous allurements of the world. They miss earthly and eternal reward. This is the cost of compromise. The only solution is to repent and live a life free from sin (Acts 3:19). Balaam was a true prophet before he backslid (Numbers 24:15,16). To ensure our Christian experiences are current and our relationship with God remains fresh, we must abide in Christ, obey His word and pray for grace daily. “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 (Numbers 24:17). These last prophecies of Balaam go far beyond the period of the kingdom and reign of King Balak. The prophecies reveal Christ as “Star out of Jacob a Sceptre out of Israel” (Revelation 22:16) “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24) “Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city (verse 19). “For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). As children of God, we should hand over all our battles to Him in prayer and He will surely fight for us (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Question 8: What lessons do we learn from Balaam’s awful end?
…Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10). He desired to die as a righteous man but he died as a backslider. If Balaam with great spiritual endowment. “whose eyes are open“, “who heard the words of God”, who “knew the knowledge of the most High” and “saw the vision of the Almighty”, prophesied of Christ’s first coming, yet failed woefully and went into perdition, “…what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness (Numbers 24:15,16:2 Peter 3:11).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lesson 45 The Blessing Of The Tribes And Death Of Moses Previous post CHILDREN STS LESSON 4 THE BRAZEN SERPENT
Adult Sts Lesson 144 Sanctity Of Life And Family Values Next post ADULT STS LESSON 109 BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS AND PROPHECIES