32: Balaam: The two-faced prophet (Num 22:1-21)

In chapters 22-24, the Lord blesses Israel through the gentile prophet Balaam.

πŸ‘‰ Read Numbers 22:1-21

When the Israelites camped in the (                   ), the Moabite king (                 ) sent messengers to (                  ) to come and curse the Israelites. (The following is an aerial view from the Canaanite land to the East.)

 


God told Balaam, “You must not go with them, not curse the people, for they are (                ).”

 

Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “Even if Balak would give me his palace full of (          ) and (           ), I could not transgress the (                   ) of the Lord. Please stay here that I may know what (             ) the Lord might say to me”

The Lord told him, “Get up and (          ) with them.”

 

Answers and Meditation

Plains of Moab, Balak, Balaam

Similarly to Abraham, Balaam was endorsed to bless or curse someone.

 

Blessed

God had blessed the Israelites, His people, for they were Abraham's descendants. It is the reason why God forbade his going. 

However, in his reply, Balaam did omit that Israel was blessed and said to them as if the Lord refused the request without reason. Compare verses 12 and 13.

Balaam should have told them the authentic way of blessing. The Moabites could be blessed by blessing the Israelites, not cursing them.

 

Silver, gold, commandment, more

Though Balaam seemed concerned about God’s commandment, his interest was money.

He didn’t care about God’s intention and heart. It was okay for him if he didn't violate God's commandments. Balaam's heart was not devoted to the Lord. That’s why he persistently asked God for permission to go. 

God already made clear to him that he must not go. What else more does God need to say?

 

Go

Does God really allow him to go? When Balaam hid his heart for money and pretended to obey God, God also hid His intention and released him to pursue what he wanted.

When you come to the Lord with a hidden intention, seeking God's name but wanting wealth, He won't reveal His heart. Love God and obey God's will from your heart. Do not pursue your heart's desire while pretending to obey God's commands superficially.

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