“Woe to them! For they…have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…they will do anything for money” (Jude 11)

Balak, the Moabite king, hired the false prophet Balaam to curse Israel. He had no good reason to go against the children of God. He did not attack them from a defensive position. The truth is that God did not give his land to the Jews, so there was no danger to his territory (Judg 11:18). So why did he plan evil against the children of God? This is the answer: He attacked Israel out of pure wickedness and greed. This may explain his plans to destroy them: Israel won the battle against king Sihon, a former enemy to Moab. They took over his land (Nu 21:23-26). Balak thought that by defeating Israel he can recover his lost territory. Both Balak and Balaam are covetous people, helping each other in evil and greed.

The first time the princes of Moab come to tempt Balaam, he refused to follow them. In his heart he really wanted to go because of the promise of a reward, but God restrained him. His refusal was not because he loved God, but because he was ‘forced’ to stay home.  The second time the elders came, they offered more money to Balaam.  He knew God’s answer but he prayed again. The love of money made him restless. Surprisingly, this second time, God answers him according to his secret heart’s desire. God says that he can go to Balak, but he will not be able to curse His people and he can only speak His word. Balaam is too stubborn to let go of such ‘a golden opportunity’ to make money. Even with all these restrictions on his ministry, he goes to meet Balak, hoping against all odds that God will change His mind.

Balaam willingly chooses to enter the path of temptation. This is a reckless sinful road that always ends in sorrow and death. Even the donkey tries to restrain him because he is blind to any danger. In the struggle, his foot is injured. He gets very angry. When confronted by the Lord Jesus Christ, who appears in the form of an Angel, he partially repents but still insists to go on. Eventually Balaam is killed by Israel in a battle ordained by God. He envied God’s people, wishing to die like them, a glorious death (Nu 23:10). But his life ends as it began, shamefully. This is the tragic story of a low class hireling; a false prophet who sold his inheritance, an enemy, a traitor to God and to His people.

“Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death…The wages of sin is death” (Jam 1:15; Rom 6:23)

Dear Heavenly Father: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

In Christ I declare:

I reject all false prophets, no matter who they are!

By God’s grace, I shall never willingly enter the shameful path of temptation, lust, sin and death!

In Jesus name

Amen!