NUMBERS

Numbers Chapter 22

• Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 
• 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 
• 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

If Moab would have just let Israel alone instead of fearing them, they would have been eventually protected by Israel and allowed to remain unmolested beside Israel. Fear of what may happen can cause a hatred and mistrust of even good people. Instead of wanting to defeat Israel, they could have been their friends. These people were not those that God was going to destroy because they are descendants of Lot the nephew of Abraham. 

• Numbers 22:4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 

Again we see fear mongering. They feared Israel. Instead of fearing God and joining with Israel, they wanted to get rid of Israel. They were not interested in making friends or seeking God, they had their own god. They were just trying to eliminate the supposed enemy. They actually had nothing to fear unless they offended God because Israel had no power outside of God. They could not touch Israel as long as God protected them. 

• Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 
• 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursed is cursed. 

Whether Balaam was a false prophet or a true prophet of God is not known. Balak tried to appeal to Balaam's since of pride by making the claim that his power to bless or curse was well known. This must have really puffed up Balaam's ego. It could have been that he was religious and had power with God in some way but he was limited in his knowledge of the true God and the way of salvation.

It may be similar to those today to try to get to God another way except by faith in Jesus Christ. Some try even to get salvation through the name of Jesus but bypass the repenting of sin. In other words they want to be saved by His grace but they do not want their lives changed. They love to gain in material things and riches. They love rewards and the so called "good life" but they want to have fire insurance or hell insurance.

The doctrine of Balaam was you can have God but the world at the same time. As we read of Balaam we can see that he wanted to do the right thing at times but his desire for promotions and rewards made him secretly desire that Israel be destroyed and he get the credit. 

Suppose a prophet prophesied that a certain evil nation was going to be destroyed. That prophet may care more about his reputation and fame than the repentance of the evil nation. He might want to actually see the nation destroyed rather than they repent. Jonah had this problem but in Jonah's case it was not selfish. He was not wanting Nineveh's destruction because of his own gain and reputation but because Nineveh was an evil nation that persecuted and harmed his own people, Israel. It was for their sakes that Jonah wanted Nineveh's destruction rather than their salvation.

Yet a prophet who did not have victory over his flesh might end up like Balaam. Balaam desired gain and reward more than the salvation of Israel. So in a way he wasn't a prophet like Moses who loved the people and desired their good. He was a prophet in name only who loved the praise of men, his reputation as being a mighty prophet of God and the rewards of material possessions much more than his desire to see people saved and right with God. 

No true prophet with the heart of God would never desire that God would curse the whole nation. 

Israel only destroyed nations at the commandment of God and not because they just wanted their land and wanted to kill. The nations they destroyed were only those who had passed the point of no return. As I state in my comments on chapter 21, the nations appointed for destruction were those that God cursed because of their sin of violence, murder, human sacrifice to idols and such things. Sexual immorality and temple prostitution were part of their worship. 

As long as any nation didn't oppose or try to stop Israel, they were left alone if they were not appointed to judgment because of sin being past the point of being able to repent. 

• Numbers 22:7 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 spake unto him the words of Balak. 
• 8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 

We see here that Balak assumed that Balaam could be bought because the elders of Midian brought the rewards of divination with them. It would seem that Balaam was a seer or kind of false prophet we see in today's world who claimed to represent God but really did not represent him in spirit and in truth. They were more interested in the fame and rewards of men. 

These kind of prophets are not wholly cut off from God but they are borderline. It could be that Balaam once knew God but got into charging payment for his divination. They wanted the God of power but not the God of holiness and a changed life. 

• Numbers 22:9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 

God already knew but perhaps he wanted Balaam to really understand who these men were. 

• Numbers 22:10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 
• 11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
• 12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 

Had not Balaam heard from the real God he most probably would have gone ahead and tried to curse Israel. It was the mercy of God here that tried to intervene and save Balaam from being cursed of God. Balaam no doubt would have been able to turn his life around and use his talents for the real God instead of selfishness and the things of this world. This is a temptation today. 

We can receive the salvation that comes through Christ but get into using our gifts or talents for our own selfishness and to be great in the eyes of men instead of God. One thing though to be concerned about is the words of Christ:

• Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 
• 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 
• 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
• 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
• 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
• 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 
• 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 
• 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
• 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 
• 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 
• 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 
• 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 
• 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

The fruits of one who is really representing God is first of all truth. Not just professing Jesus on the surface but believing and living by every word that proceeds from Him. 

Jesus was willing to die for the salvation of the worst sinner. His servants must be willing to forsake their lives in this life or their love for the world and its possessions for the sake of the gospel. Our goal is not to gain possessions but to preach the gospel that will save the lost. Our concern should be to save people from sin and desire to see people right with God. Our concern should be that people find God and follow God not follow ourselves and build up a great following. We must get people to Christ not ourselves. 

Do we desire to build a church, receive tithes, live a good life and become important in the eyes of our followers or do we desire to get people to Christ and that they to receive the Holy Spirit and begin to follow Christ. I'm not against supporting the pastor of a local church here but only saying that if they are in it for a job or to make a living and are not willing to preach the whole truth of God's word even if they lose a few tithing members, then they are not out to save the lost but out for themselves. 

Balaam was out for himself. Moses was out for the cause of God. Jesus was out for the salvation of the lost. Simon the sorcerer was out for himself. Paul was for the salvation of the lost as was Peter, John and others. Demas loved this present world and forsook Paul. There is a difference although all these people claimed to represent God. 

What is our motive? Hey look at me, I'm a bishop at such and such church. I'm in charge of a congregation of 20000. I'm rich and increased with goods. God has blessed me with a large following. No, I can't tell them they need to repent and stop sinning or I will lose all that I have gained. They mistakenly think all the gain is godliness. They do not care of all 20000 souls are lost and enter a burning hell. They do not want to lose their position and their tithes. This is not a true representative from the Lord. This is Balaam. Balaam didn't care for Israel. Balaam wanted God's power but he wanted the good life. He wanted rewards. 

• Numbers 22:13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 

Notice at first Balaam listened to God but after a while, he begin to secretly hope that there was a way to get around the will of God and still get the rewards. He most probably saw all the rewards that were going to be given to him. Notice how God is trying to stop Balaam from ruin.

• Numbers 22:14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 
• 15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

Balak knew that it wasn't a lost cause. He sent even more important people to persuade Balaam. Balaam was a respecter of men here. 

• Numbers 22:16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 
• 17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 
• 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 

In Balaam's heart he really was trying to find a way to have both the riches and favor with God. How do we know this? By searching other scriptures. A good comparison is that Balaam wanted God and power with God but not Christ which meant repentance and turning from sin to have real power with God. 

Peter uses Balaam as an example:

• 2Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 
• 10 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. 
• 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 
• 12 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; 
• 13 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; 
• 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 
• 15 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; 
• 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 
• 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 
• 18 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. 
• 19 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. 
• 20 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. 
• 21 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. 
• 22 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. 

The words of Peter show us the true character of Balaam who claimed to represent God but was following the wages of unrighteousness. Beloved fellow believer in Christ, be careful of the doctrines of men like the prosperity doctrine. This is similar to the doctrine of Balaam. 

• Numbers 22:19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. 

Balaam is still trying to have both things at this point. God and the world. He was secretly trying to get around God but appearing on the outside in the eyes of men to be willing to do whatever God said. He was struggling with these things to the point of madness. We see the battle of flesh and spirit, good and evil here. 

• Numbers 22:20 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. 

The best thing Balaam could have done was to take the first word of God and not have any more to do with these men. Now God was going to allow him to do what he really wanted to do but God still warned him to speak his word. 

We see from other scriptures that the heart of Balaam was really after those rewards but on the surface it would seem that he was trying to convince himself as well as others that he was truly after the heart of God in this matter. We see though what is written about him in Revelation:

• Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

This is referring to the deeds recorded in Numbers 25 where Israel is enticed by the daughters of Moab to commit fornication and make sacrifices to idols.

• Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 
• 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 
• 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 

We see that later Balaam was behind this so he could still get the rewards Balak offered. He tried to get God to curse Israel by enticing them to sin. This way he supposedly could have gifts and be right with God too. He was not right with God though. We can't hide our true motives from God. He knows whether we are out for the salvation of the lost or our own gain. 

More from Peter: 

• 2Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 
• 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 
• 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

Jude makes mention of Balaam:

• Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 
• 11 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. 
• 12 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; 
• 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 

Turning the grace of God into lasciviousness is thinking one can bypass repentance from sin and go ahead and sin claiming they are not under the law but grace, using the gospel of grace as a license to sin and still supposedly be saved and on the way to heaven.  

Balaam was a man after gain or he would have not gone with the men from the beginning. He should not have consulted God a second time after God warned him the first time not to go with the men. God will sometimes give us what we really want if we do not listen the first time. 

• Numbers 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 
• 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 

God was angry because even though he allowed Balaam to go, he could see Balaam looking for a way to get that reward and curse Israel. He heart was not right with God. He could be that God was angry because Balaam didn't listen the first time and not go at all. Maybe God saw that in the depths of Balaam's heart he was glad to go with these men and wanted to find a way around God's will.

Perhaps God was angry because Balaam went of his own accord and didn't wait for the men to call for him. Remember God said the night before: "If the men come to call thee, rise up and go with them." I never noticed this before until I read what John Wesley said about this verse but Balaam seems to have rose up in the morning saddled his ass and went without waiting for them to call. Perhaps the men would have not called but left and Balaam would have been safe. 

• Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 
• 24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 
• 25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 
• 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 
• 27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 
• 28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 
• 29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 
• 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 

Notice that Balaam didn't even notice that an animal was speaking to him. He was so caught up in what he was trying to accomplish that he failed to notice an animal speaking. He was truly mad with greed at this point I believe. 

• Numbers 22:31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 

That angel of the Lord that was ready to slay Balaam may have been Christ, the second person of the triune God. 

• Numbers 22:32 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: 
• 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 
• 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 

Balaam repents but it was what we call and temporary repentance out of fear, not one that really made a dramatic change in his life. 

• Numbers 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 
• 36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. 
• 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? 
• 38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 

At this point Balaam seems to be obeying God but I believe it is out of the fear of God, not because he wants to obey God. His heart is not fully following God and he does not really desire to obey God, just doing it because he has to. This is a good example of obeying the law but not entering into grace which serves God out of a love and desire to do God's will because we love God and love our fellowmen.

Under the law we serve because the law says "thou shalt" under grace we serve God because He has shed the love of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and we love Him and we love our brethren. A true prophet that represents God will have love for the good of his brethren. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Love would not lead a brother into fornication so he can be cursed of God. Love would not be more concerned with tithes and offerings instead of speaking the truth that would save souls from hell. Love would cause a leader to lay down his (her) life for the flock that Jesus died for. Love wants to serve God and speak His word for the good of the hearers, not to get the hearers to like him or her. Love is the key to the false and the real. The love that comes from God. The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians comes into play here. 

• Numbers 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth. 
• 40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 
• 41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. 

Balak still thinks he can have his way. As we see from other scriptures, Balaam is here hoping for a way around the will of God. He still is out for gain.