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THE WAY OF BALAAM
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
2 Peter 2:15-16
Revelation 2:14
 
“Wilt thou not cease to pervert
the right ways of the Lord?”
 
THE WAY OF BALAAM
 
In today’s reading, the discussion on the danger of covetousness continues. Covetousness is the insatiable craving for more money, power and prestige. This can drive a man to commit many an evil. We are cautioned that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10). Jesus also warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15).
 
To illustrate the evilness of covetousness, Peter related the story of Balaam found in Numbers 22-25. (Take time to read these chapters.) He was a Gentile prophet who tried to curse Israel for the money offered by Balak, the king of the Moabites. Though prophet Balaam knew it was wrong to join king Balak, he still jumped at the opportunity to make more money. God rebuked him, even through the mouth of his donkey. He would not listen.
 
When Balaam tried to curse Israel, God turned his curse into a blessing (Deut 23:4-5). Although he failed to curse the Jews because of God’s intervention, Balaam taught king Balak what to do to defeat Israel. He advised Balak to lure Israel into lustful sins and thus getting Israel to provoke their Lord, which in turn would spell destruction for Israel. He did it all for the money that king Balak promised.
 
One interesting thing to note about Balaam was that he was given understanding of God’s will, and yet he chose to sin and also to cause Israel to sin. Many apostates possess these characteristics of Balaam. In these last days we see many popular preachers and teachers exhibiting similar characteristics, such as covetousness, conscious departure from God’s revealed will and the Bible, and promotion of a carnal lifestyle. Such men may become popular and rich. But what they receive are “wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15). Another person who had received a similar wage is Judas Iscariot. “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18).
 
THOUGHT: The love for money burns many.
PRAYER: Father, may I be satisfied with Thy goodness that I may not crave the rewards of iniquity.

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