Four of the most amazing prophetic oracles about Israel as a separated people, a conquering people, a prosperous people, and a royal people were delivered by a mysterious soothsayer named Balaam who was specifically hired to curse Israel. If that were the end of the story, it would be interesting, including the fascinating encounter with a talking donkey, but it doesn’t end there. And what Balaam did next is an important warning to God’s people.
If an enemy of God’s people hires you to curse them, and God stands in your way four times, you should change your game plan. But Balaam didn’t! He doubled down on his determination to get rich by enticing people to sin. Balaam thought he could get away with his sin. He thought he could out-clever God. But when that didn’t work, he helped make it easier for Israel to sin against God.
If someone has failed to curse God’s people and tries to distract and dilute them with Balaam’s tactic, you should be forearmed by being forewarned. Don’t let anyone entice you to sin. You don’t need to judge them because God is the judge, which means they won’t get away with it. But in the meantime, don’t follow their lies that make it easy to sin.
Here is the rest of the story of Balaam
These verses discuss the story of Balaam, a soothsayer who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Balaam’s counsel led the Israelites to turn unfaithfully against God, causing a plague to strike the congregation. The story of Balaam is referenced throughout the Bible as a cautionary tale of those who choose to put material gain and temptation above faith in God. These passages demonstrate the importance of staying on the right path and avoiding those who may lead us astray. The final verse in Joshua 13 records the death of Balaam and the eventual inheritance of the land by the children of Reuben. These verses serve as an admonition for us to stay steadfast in our faith and to avoid those who would lead us away from God.
“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. (Numbers 31:16)
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. (Numbers 25:1-5)
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 2:15)
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 1:11)
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14)
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:6-13)
Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:17-21 WEB)
Many years after Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh request to settle in the land east of the Jordan River and 10-15 years after the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, the children of Reuben finally conquered their land. And here is recorded the judgement of Balaam. If you are on a journey into God’s promised land for your life, you need to separate from the Balaams in your life who have caused you to sin.
The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain. The border of the children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and its villages. (Joshua 13:22-23 WEB)
God’s description of profane and blasphemous seducers
These verses describe the characteristics and actions of individuals who walk after the flesh, rejecting God’s authority and leading others astray through their own lustful desires. The passage in 2 Peter 2:10-16 highlights their self-will, presumption, and their willingness to speak evil of dignitaries. They are described as being like brute beasts, speaking evil of things they do not understand, and ultimately, they shall utterly perish in their own corruption. The following passage in 2 Peter 2:17-22 further emphasizes their false promises of liberty and the danger of turning away from the holy commandment of God, warning that the latter end is worse than the beginning. In Jude 1:8-13, these individuals are referred to as filthy dreamers who defile the flesh, despise authority, and speak evil of those they do not know. The passage highlights their unrepentant nature and the severe consequences that await them. Overall, these verses serve as a warning to those who would lead others astray and a call to remain steadfast in faith and obedience to God.
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 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; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. (2 Peter 2:10-16)
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:17-22)
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 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. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 1:8-13)
For deeper study
- The controversy of sin
- Examine yourselves test your faith (2 Cor 13:5)
- What about self-righteousness? (the damnable sin of justifying yourself)