Balaam

One of two animals who speak in the Scriptures is a donkey, the donkey of a very infamous man, Balaam. Balaam is a good study of one who walks with the Lord, and then allows the world, witchcraft, and greed to make his choices until he tosses the Lord aside. Balaam is called a seer and a prophet in his beginning, and at the end is a soothsayer and witch. In the New Testament, we have Jude, Peter, and Jesus giving us three details of his life, specific attitudes that he possessed which I will go into after we take a look at the Book that has detailed information about him, Numbers. The first time we see Balaam everything seems to be quite normal at least on the surface. What we will see is compromise and its deadly affects on a person who is called by God, anointed by God, empowered by God, and casts God aside for the world and what it has for him.

Let's place together the context and what we know about Balaam from the only source that is true, the Bible! Numbers 22:1-4 ¶ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 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. The fear of the Lord melts hearts even of those who are cousins to Israel. Remember that Moab is the son of an incestuous relationship between Lot who is drunk and one of his daughters (Genesis 19). The Moabites have had a half hearted relationship with God, never honest and true, and that missing key to it allowed them to be envious of Israel. Now we have Balak who is concerned about losing what he is king over and wants to do something about the threat he visions Israel as being to him.

Balak knows exactly what to do! He will send for a man he knows well, one who will do what he is paid to do. Balaam will be sent some messengers to tell him the problem, have the money to purchase his services, and he will be told what is expected of him in exchange for the money. vss 5-7 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: 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 wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 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.

01109 Melb Bil`am bil-awm'

probably from 01077 and 05971, Greek 903 Balaam; TWOT-251b

AV-Balaam 60, Bileam 1; 61

Balaam =" not of the people"
***From Who's Who by George Barr, Balaam means - devourer***

n pr m
1) the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy

n pr loc
2) a town in Manasseh

From this passage we see some clear points that need to be made.
    1) Balaam is well known.
    2)Balaam is known to be able to curse people and they are cursed, and bless people and they are blessed.
    3) It is believed on Balak's part that the rewards of divination would be appropriate to bring for Balaam.
So we can believe that he is at least sure that it has happened in the past, and is a part of his infamous life. We know that Balak is aware of the beginnings of Israel as far as leaving Egypt, and their victories of Og and Sihon in the previous Chapters in Numbers probably a few months before this. Balak is scared and he knows Balaam can do this for him and he is willing to pay handsomely for his services with the rewards of divination.

07081 Moq qecem keh'-sem

from 07080, Greek 2973 Kwsam; TWOT-2044a; n m

AV-divination 9, witchcraft 1, divine sentence 1; 11

1) divination, witchcraft
    1a) of the nations, Balaam
    1b) of false prophets
    1c) in a good sense (king's lips as oracles)

8-13 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. And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 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. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 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.

This passage blows away every OSAS person because they can't deal with it. OSAS or once saved always saved is a heresy from the lips of the devil spoken into the hearts of such heretics as Augustine who was later quoted as foundation for what we know as the tulip given us by that famous heretic, John Calvin. Balaam states that he will do whatever Yahweh (LORD) tells him. Balaam will seek the Lord for what he should do. How many people go around spouting the Word of God? The answer is many do, but if we ask the question, how many ungodly and unsaved people go around speaking forth the truth of what God wants, we have a different answer. Balaam starts out like his ancestors, the elders of Midian, as a man of God. He had Jethro, Moses' father-in-law as an example to look up to. Sadly what we will see is the destruction of the Midianites in Numbers 31. If you go back to Abraham, you'll see that Midian was his son through Keterah, his wife after Sarah. Balaam listened to the Lord, and spoke what God gave him to say and do. Look at a NT quote of someone who is healed by Jesus. John 9:30-33 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Now the issue becomes rather simple, obedience to the will of God! Disobedience is sin, so all those OSASers don't have any reasonable and reliable comments on this passage because we see here that God's will is equally as simple as obeying it. What is God's will for Balaam? God appears to Balaam, and the Lord tells him, "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed." Okay, now we have it, the Lord tells Balaam not to go with the guys of Midian and Moab! We will see that Balaam is not unlike any other man or woman who starts out in the Lord's hand and allows riches and fame to distort and destroy the heart until the person walks away from the Lord. The OSAS crowd must state that Balaam is in heaven (Joshua said he was killed as a soothsayer which happened in Numbers 31.) or he is in hell (Why would God use a sinner to do the miraculous and listen to his voice?). We will see that Balaam tosses aside a relationship with the Lord for the riches of this world. Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? What we have here is a man of God who made all the wrong choices, and the finals choices involved walking away from the Lord he once knew! Another nail in the OSAS coffin has been delivered.

The men have returned to Balak that were sent to Balaam. Vss 14-19 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. ¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. 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: For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 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. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

Balak doesn't give up on Balaam. He must know something about bribes and wearing down preachers! Far too many preachers compromise their walk with the Lord because of pleasure (sex of some sort) and/or greed. Balaam will go to the Lord and do something that we all have probably done perhaps more than once! Let me repeat what Balaam said! Okay OSASers, listen to these words from Balaam, "the LORD my God". Balaam went to the Lord and got an answer the first time and the answer was not to go, no questions asked! Balak must know something about people and sends more elders in number and in higher rank in society than the first time! Balak wants to have Israel removed from the face of the earth! He knows that Balaam has a relationship with the Lord and he isn't even considering that Israel also has a relationship with the Lord! He sends treasures and riches that Balaam wants! However there is still some sense to a degree and he tells the visitors that he must ask the Lord and whatever He says, that's all he can do. You know how we badger God until He throws His hands in the air and says okay to our detriment and harm! Why don't we just accept God's answer?

From Webster's Dictionary, we read a definition for compromise: to lay open to danger, suspicion, disrepute, etc. which is exactly what Balaam will do. For fame and fortune, what God has told him will be rejected, and Balaam will again in pride act like he wants to do God's will, yet we have already heard what God's will is, to not go, and we will see Balaam ask God again, and this time because of the lesson the Lord wants to teach, He will allow Balaam to have his desire! Look at what Joshua says about Balaam! Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. Joshua calls Balaam a soothsayer! Compromise is the leaven that will kill the very life the Lord once had started in a born again person.

The more I study the Word, the more I am amazed at God's wisdom! Seriously, if Balaam had not badgered God, or if God had taken the "I-will-make-you-obey" attitude, we would not see the incredible power behind temptation, and just how easy it is to compromise. When we commit our lives to the Lord, it is much more than mental assertion on our part. It is much more than God forcing us to accept His grace. When we commit our lives to Jesus, it is genuine repentance mixed with the faith of God given to us, and the power of the Holy Spirit to regenerate a life. However just as much as commitment involves a choice in marriage, it is a choice in marriage to Jesus! Yet, even in marriage, the Lord allows Himself to be challenged and tested. Look at what happens. Numbers 22:20-21 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. And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. Some people would have us believe by their teaching that the Lord changed His mind about Balaam. God's will remains the same! Numbers 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. Because of the badgering by Balaam, God allows him to go knowing that He will rebuke the man with a donkey!

Any other teaching about Balaam reveals a lack of study and the rejection of the next passage. Look at what happens. Vss 22-30 ¶ 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 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. 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. What we have here is called by theologians, a theophany, a God shining or a God manifesting in the form of a physical being which is called The Angel of the Lord. Many references show The Angel of the Lord receiving worship, and speaking as the Lord Himself. This is the preincarnate Christ who is angry and about to kill Balaam, but his donkey sees Him, and three times attempts to save Balaam, and does. Then Balaam is verbally rebuked by his own donkey!

It is not until the Lord opens Balaam's eyes that he even sees Him standing before him with a sword ready to kill him. Balaam is so blinded by the rewards of divination and the fame he will receive after he curses Israel that he can't see the truth. Hebrews 3:13-15 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Balaam's sin has scaled his understanding and sight just as sin hardens our hearts and we are unable to see the Lord in situations and circumstances. Let's look at what happens. Vss 31-35 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. Again it is made clear to Balaam, but we will see later that Balaam becomes so covetous and lustful for the fame from Balak and the riches he will give that he will compromise in a big way more so than what might be determined as mild to moderate disobedience at this point! Balaam will steadily make more choices, and they do get worse!!

Balaam goes to Balak who is a little upset that he didn't come the first time. Numbers 22:36-23:3 ¶ 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. 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 honor? 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. And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth. And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 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. ¶ And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place. Balak will take Balaam to see Israel from three different perspectives in hopes to get rid of Israel. The first mountain where altars are set up, and sacrifices are offered is from the high places of Baal!

Now we see what God does! Numbers 23:4-12 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab. And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? Balak is upset, and Balaam justifies his words stating that he had told Balak that he had to say what the Lord told him to say. We will how compromise comes from temptation of fame and riches. Balaam will trade his walk with God for the rewards of divination! Sad, how sad!

Balak is upset, but in his mind he still has a problem, and he must get Balaam to curse his problem so that his problem will vanish away. Balak is convinced that seeing Israel from another perspective is tha answer! Vss 13-26 ¶ And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence. And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? Balak has brought Balaam to the top of Pisgah and all Balaam has done is mess up his chances for fame and fortune! Balak is so irate that he loses his cool and tells Balaam to just shut up if he can't curse them!

Balak decides there must be a problem with Balaam's eye sight, so he decides to bring him to a third mountain for a third perspective. Vss 27-30 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. Balak against obeys Balaam setting up and sacrificing what he is told on them. Balak us sure that from the top of Peor that Balaam will see Israel as the big bad nation and curse them. Then Balaam will be rewarded handsomely and given much fame. Things will be different this time!

We find out in this Chapter that things are definitely different. Things don't happen the way they have gone and we see Balaam acting different as well. Numbers 24:1-2 ¶ And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. This short passage reveals so much to us about Balaam, and a few things on compromise and the backslider. I had wondered myself in times past how someone I knew who was in sin and had rejected correction could be used of God in a gift of the Holy Spirit. We see here that in the other views from the mountains that Balaam used witchcraft to learn the Word of God, but this time he approaches God from God's Holy Spirit! I can't explain how witches are sometimes able to know God's plan, but there are times that He allows that knowledge to be made known, however it is witchcraft, and it is sin to do so. God's expects His own to come to Him His way. Balaam compromised God's Word, he compromised God's call, and he compromised his very walk with the Lord. The OSAS position must be that Balaam NEVER had a real relationship with God, but they make up stories and do away with this passage of Scripture because they can't explain it. Here we see clearly that and the spirit of God came upon him, and we know that this man can't do what he is about to do if he is unsaved as the OSAS position must take.

Here is what the OSAS position leaves out, compromise and sin will not remove a person from their eternal security because God's "grace" is bigger than compromise and sin. They go on to state that all sin is in the cross and done away past, present, and future, so therefore rest in God's finished work. Then when asked about Balaam, they must comment something that will avoid answering the question, so they say something about it is God's hand to know someone's salvation. They may even say that we are NOT to judge anyone. This way the OSASer can believe what they want to believe and according to their theory make heaven. They can have any type of walk of ungodliness, but if they were once saved, they are forever saved. Yet these people can't explain Balaam because if they do say he was never saved, they violate other passages of Scripture about doing the miraculous, and if they say he was saved they violate other passages of Scripture. The truth is they void out discipleship and the possibility that leaven in heresy can destroy the relationship between a person and God. They void out the commission that shows we are to teach the Word of God as Jesus taught His disciples. They can not allow the truth of the Word to be clear. Balaam had a relationship with the Lord and then by the evil influences of fame, greed, and divination, he continued to make wrong choices until he was no longer a believer, he walked away from God! Balaam's choices caused him to apostatize. Balaam was "saved" and then Balaam wasn't "saved"!

If compromise and wrong teaching can destroy a relationship with the Lord, then OSAS would have need to then say that sin has grave consequences and one of them is that it does indeed deceive one into making wrong choices. Sin and compromise affect even a believer's life to the point that one can walk away from the Lord. Therefore the casual attitude from OSAS must be done away with towards sin, and the cautions that Paul writes must be applicable, and we must hold onto sound doctrine. Thus what we believe does make a difference at any level of our relationship with the Lord! Perhaps I have heard for the last time the pastor or deacon telling me that someone on their deathbed went to heaven because they squeezed their hand. Maybe I have heard for the last time that my friend's step-dad is in heaven because they prayed, were water baptized, and they joined the church. OSAS is a man made heresy because it has no basis or foundation of truth. Balaam is indeed a amn of God, he knows the Lord and now by the Spirit of God will prophesy about Israel including the star that the wise men in Babylon will teach about and a caravan of magi will follow to the house where Jesus resides at age two.

Numbers 24:3-24 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of align aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. ¶ And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honor. And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. ¶ And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

The setting is not complete to teach on Balaam yet, but we are now at a crucial juncture to understand some vital details. Balaam has seen from the three mountains three different perspectives of Israel and yet with divination said the Word of God over Israel the first two times and the third time he actually puts aside his sorcery and meets the Lord His way, and the Holy Spirit gives him some very powerful words from the heart of God. Balak is irate and details his anger using the intimidation that only the enemy uses. I am convinced that Balaam compromises for the riches and fame from Balak. Look at what happens. Numbers 24:25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way. They go their separate ways. Between this verse and the next Chapter, Balaam gives Balak some advice. 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 stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

When did this advice get transferred? Given what takes place in the next Chapter, the advice was given between 24:25 and 25:1. Why do we know this? Simple reasoning shows that Numbers 25 is where the Israelites do what Jesus states that he did give as advice. The Israelites have a wild orgy, celebrate the idols of Midian and Moab which is a stumbling block for Israel as we see goes on throughout the centuries. Numbers 25:1-18 ¶ 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. ¶ And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.

There are many things to learn from Balaam and these precious Chapters of Numbers, but what I have done is attempt to lay out an understanding for context. The reason for the context is to teach on the three areas that the New Testament deals with and shows is crucial for our understanding when discussing Balaam:
    1) The Error of Balaam
    2) The Way of Balaam
    3) The Doctrine of Balaam
We will now go into these pivotal areas and show the things of God that we find.

I The Error of Balaam

Jude 10-13 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.

Here we have disagreement with many, but I think this passage is as clear as what we have seen so far about Balaam. The error of Balaam is his thought that compromise wouldn't hurt his relationshiop with the Lord. It didn't matter with God if he would use the gift of prophet to gain a few dollars! His error was in thinking that a litle sin didn't matter because God's grace was enough to take care of his sin and he would be fine in the long run.

4106 planh plane plan'-ay

from 4108 (as abstractly); TDNT-6:228,857; n f

AV-error 7, to deceive 1, deceit 1, delusion 1; 10
    1) a wandering, a straying about
      1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
    2) metaph. 2a) mental straying
      2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
    2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
    2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
4108 planoV planos plan'-os

of uncertain affinity; TDNT-6:228,857; adj

AV-deceiver 4, seducing 1; 5
    1) wandering, roving 2) misleading, leading into error
      2a) a vagabond, "tramp", imposter
      2b) corrupter, deceiver
The word used for error comes from the word used for deceiver when put with a definite article, the. It is actually an adjective, but when the is placed in front of it, it actually is used for the devil. Literally it means roving or wandering, it is gradual, it is seductive, it seems inconsequential to even consider, yet because it is a straying movement little by little, because it involves the seduction by compromise and the person in self-deception actually thinks they are fine. This is what Balaam believed, nothing could hinder his walk with God, after all Balaam was called to be His servant, a prophet! This is the error of once saved always saved or OSAS. Sadly the deception that has been woven by this group causes them to respond with the usual words, "You are teaching salvation by works!"

II The Way of Balaam

2Peter 2:12-16 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.

Notice the way of Balaam is extremely clear here. Balaam had a love, and his way was the way of his love, who loved the wages of unrighteousness!! Balaam could misuse the gifting of God for a price. How sad so many Pentecostals fall into this area! How tragic to see those who walk in the will of God and the power of His Holy Spirit, and then turn because of the price they would receive! Balaam didn't want to give up his wages even if they were for unrighteous curses that he could call down on people. He loved the money! This reminds me of SOME TV preachers! They started out preaching the truth and God certainly was leading them and doing many mighty acts, but they were led astray and led others astray all for unrighteous mammon. Matthew 7:21-23 ¶ 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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Now I disagree with those who would stress the NEVER raher than the context and the key word, profess which means to confess. What Jesus is stating is rather powerful! Those who were washed in the blood, received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and were used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, BUT compromised the Word of God, these people will hear the weight of the words from the lips of Jesus, "I never knew you!!" They were presumptuos, they were careless, and they abused the Lord by allowing His name to be blasphemed because of their lack of integrity. They certainly will receive the same treatment from Jesus as those who hated Him and didn't ever want to know Him. This is Balaam, and this is far too many Pentecostals!

For some it is hard to believe that wrong choices can produce such a drastic result as leaving Jesus for the world, but this is exactly what does happen to people! Balaam is just one example in a long list of people who had a genuine relationship with the Lord and did not guard himself from bad cotrine, corrupt thinking, all adding together to produce the choices that bring not only the first death, but the second death as well. 2Timothy 1:13-15 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. ¶ This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
2Timothy 2:15-28 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Timothy 3:2-5 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Timothy 4:1-4 ¶ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. One such fable that those who turn will believe comes from the teaches who will teach what they want to hear, something that is unsound, the doctrine of eternal security or once saved always saved.

III The Doctrine of Balaam

Revelation 2:13-14 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 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 one is the easiest to see of the three areas in Balaam's sinful attitudes. Balaam didn't have any problem with compromise. Balaam knew that he was a prophet of God. God held him in the palm of His hand. Balaam was secure in God. Think about it, who can possibly more secure in God than a prophet? A little leaven, a little compromise, this could never hurt Balaam's standing in the Lord Most High, or so Balaam thinks as he adds to the relationship some of the traditions of the culture of his ancestors and from his cousins the Moabites. Balaam started practicing divination to get to God, and to find His will. From what Jesus says, using the flesh's power to get someone to do what you want, to manipulate someone is exactly what Balaam believed as evidenced by Numbers 25. God has told Israel to have no other gods before Him, none, zippo, but Balaam didn't see any harm with it. He tolerated and embraced idols. Remember that Balaam heard the the will of God by using sorcery and enchantments the first two perspectives from the first two mountains. Balaam taught the same type of tolerance as the false prophet will teach from the ecumenical movement. God also says that sex outside of marriage or fornication is sin as is adultery and homosexuality, yet Balaam advised Balak as to how to get God to remove His presence from Israel.

Balaam was used mightily by the Lord, and tragically he walked away from the truth of God. He entertained far too many compromises until the final choices that he made involved leaving the Lord.
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Notice this passage is dependent on the next one because of the therefore. This passage must be in context to be understood, and it explains a great deal about compromise and Balaam's allowance of it into his life without fear of losing his relationship with the Lord. This is such a dangerous and reckless attitude to have, yet to taste of the Lord and leave that relationship is so hard for many to accept since they have believed otherwise all their lives.
Hebrews 6:1-6 ¶ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

God is faithful even when we are faithless. Yes, the grace of God will keep one who does not presume upon Him, take Him for granted, or reduce Him to a "God" amongst other gods! Compromise, error, pride, greed, these are all things that can and will affect one's walk with the Lord! Please, I beg all who read this article to consider themselves, examine themselves, don't allow the seductive powers behind compromise and error to rob you of what you think you have and may still have, a relationship with Jesus!