CHILDREN STS LESSON 5 BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS AND PROPHECIES
TEXT: Numbers 22:1-41; 23:1-30; 24:1-25
God in His plan and programme had chosen the children of Israel to be special and holy unto Him (Exodus 19:4-6). He had plan to settle them in the land of Canaan after bringing them out of Egypt, so He separated them from other nations. Going through the wilderness, they had to pass through many countries which did not know the true living God and were jealous of them.
God was with them and made them conquer all the countries that fought against them. King Balak of Moab, seeing how numerous and unconquerable they were, became afraid that they would fight him too and take his land. Remember that Moab was the first son of Lot, the nephew of Abraham who was the great grandfather of the children of Israel. God had earlier through Moses given the children of Israel instructions not to fight the children of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:9).
Balak, king of Moab knowing that he had no power of his own to conquer them brain-washed the elders of Midian to be on his side. Midian was one of the sons of Abraham by Keturah his wife after Sarah died (Genesis 25:1,2). So, Barak with the elders of Midian sent for Balaam of Pethor to come and curse the children of Israel so that they would defeat them and God’s plan would not be fulfilled in their lives.
Do not join any person, group or gang to fight other people or rebel against constituted authority (Exodus 23:2). Balaam could not curse Israel because God was with them. No one can curse you when you are living a holy and righteous life.
- BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS:
Number 22:5-41; 2 Peter 2:15
Balaam was the son of Beor of Pethor. His name means ‘Devourer.’ He was a false prophet, a soothsayer who had power to foretell the future, interpret dreams and reveal secret (2 Peter 2:15). Balak, knowing the work of Balaam, sent for him with a promise of rewards to come and curse the Israelites because they were too mighty for him, that he might destroy them and drive them out of the land. He was working against God’s plan to take Israel to the land of Canaan, a prosperous land flowing with milk and honey. Whatever the enemy is planning behind you will not prosper because God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
When the messengers of Balak came to Balaam, in the night God appeared to him and told him not to go with them. He told Balak’s messengers what God had said; but Balak could not be easily discouraged, so he sent another set of messengers more honourable with fantastic offer and promise of promotion. Balaam could not resist this offer though he had bragged before that even if Balak would give him his house full of riches, he would not come to him. He was not sincere because his heart was on the reward.
When sinners entice you, do not consent. Refuse to do evil. When you are confused in any matter or people try to dribble you to go against God’s will, pray for guidance but not with selfish motive or idol in your heart. Stand firm on your faith in the truth of God’s word. Be sincere, don’t doubt God’s word and do not make room for Satan to deceive you.
The spirit of covetousness came upon Balaam when he saw the gifts to bribe him. He went to God in prayer with a covetous heart. God Who knew his heart permitted him. He was in the permissive and not the perfect will of God. That desire to have the gift blinded his mind that he was determined to go with them (Numbers 22:19,20).
Don’t be in the permissive will of God; it is dangerous. Earthly honour, reward and bribes are baits Satan uses to take you out of God’s will and miss heaven in the end. Backsliders at heart can still be quoting and speaking God’s word like Balaam, beware. God now told Balaam to go. As he was going, God was angry with him and sent an angel to withstand him blocking his way. God performed wonders to open the eyes of Balaam’s ass to see the angel and to avoid him three times and also to speak intelligently like a man to Balaam. Balaam was cruel to his ass by smiting it because he was hurt in his leg. God used the ass to save Balaam’s life for the angel could have killed him and to show that God was not happy with him. The angel later told Balaam that he would only speak the word God put in his mouth when he got to Balak.
We learn great lessons here:
(i) God’s mercy and goodness in correcting us to amend our ways when things are not right.
(ii) Importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit when things are wrong.
(iii) God to open our spiritual eyes to see danger ahead and turn away from doing our will (self-willed).
(iv) The need to allow and wait for God’s perfect will in everything we do. For you to prosper and succeed, know and act on God’s word only, for promotion only comes from God.
- BALAAM’S PROPHECIES:
Numbers 23:1-30; 24:1-25
Prophecy is revealing the will of God to people by the word He speaks through His anointed messengers. Balaam still coveting man’s reward and honour went to Balak, but told him that he (Balaam) would only speak what God put in his mouth. He then asked him to raise seven altars and animals to sacrifice to God. He did this in three places at different times, yet he could not curse but blessed the children of Israel. God cannot be bribed with any form of sacrifice – singing, offerings or activities when you are covetous and your life is bad before Him.
As Balaam and Balak stood by the altars, God pronounced His blessings upon the Israelites (Numbers 23:8-24). God’s blessings will rest upon you. No false prophets, magicians or herbalists, no matter how powerful, can curse or inflict injuries on you. You are more than conquerors, for you will defeat your enemies. Only live a holy life.
When Balaam discovered that he could not curse the children of Israel, he resulted to prophesying as the Spirit of God came upon him. God opened his eyes to see the greatness and exaltation of Israel. He prophesied that Israel would be fruitful, multiply and strong like cedar trees by rivers of water. They would be unconquerable and defeat all their enemies. He also prophesied about the coming of Jesus Christ as Light and the everlasting KING.
All God’s promises in His word will be fulfilled in your life, so, you do not need to go anywhere to seek help where there is none. At the end, when Balak could not achieve his plan, he departed from Balaam for he was very angry. Balaam then lost the promised reward and honour.
- BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS:
Numbers 24:10-14,25; Exodus 20:17
Balaam still having an eye on the reward, planned on his own a way to please Balak. He advised Balak on how the women of Moab and Midian could commit adultery with the men of Israel so as to attract God’s punishment on them. This is wickedness (Numbers 31:16). Later on, the children of Israel killed Balaam (Numbers 31:8). Do not allow covetousness to make you to be wicked to others. God hates and punishes the covetous (Psalm 10:3).
Covetousness will lead to:
(i) Oppression as Laban did to Jacob (Genesis 31:41).
(ii) Stealing – Achan stole Babylonish garment (Joshua 7:21).
(iii) Disobedience – Saul and his soldiers in sparing best sheep for themselves (1 Samuel 15:9).
(iv) Robbery- king Benhadad of Syria took by force the property of the king of Israel (1 Kings 20:6,7).
(v) Murder – King Ahab killed Naboth because of his vineyard (1 Kings 21:13-16).
(vi) Dishonesty and deceit – Gehazi, servant of Elisha took money and garments from Naaman (2 Kings 5:20-24).
(vii) Pride – As manifested by the Pharisees (Luke 16:14).
You must take heed to Jesus’ warning and run away from covetousness (Luke 12:15). It will lead to death and eternal life in hell. If you are guilty of it or of any other sinful habits, repent now, ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ. Ask Jesus to live in you as your personal Saviour and Lord, pray for grace to be like Jesus and make any necessary restitution.
Balaam and Balak could not curse the children of Israel because God was their heavenly Father and they were His dear special children. So, be special children of God by living holy and being obedient to God’s word. Be a shining light for others to come to Jesus Christ through you.
QUESTIONS:
- Who were the children of Israel to God?
- Why did king Balak want to curse them?
- Whom did he engage to curse them?
- What made Balaam to be covetous?
- Why could not Balaam curse the children of Israel?
- Mention four things covetousness can lead to, and how can a sinner be free from all sinful habits?
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)
LESSON: Covetousness kills, run away from it.
THOUGHT: I will live righteously to escape God’s judgment.
ACTIVITY: According to the following passages, mention the punishments that came upon the covetous.
(i) Joshua 7:25,26 (ii) 1 Samuel 15:28 (iii) 1 Kings 21:19; 22:34,35 (iv) 2 Kings 5:27.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 16 – REJOICE IN THE LORD
CHORUSES:
(1) I have seen the Lord’s goodness
(2) He has given me victory
(3) All power belongs to Jesus.
HOMEWORK: Claim the promise of Numbers 23:23 for yourself as you bring it to God in prayer daily.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Covetousness
- Curse
- Enchantment
- Defy
- Perverseness.
