He Wasn’t a Fake
Balaam is one very unique individual who boggles the minds of many. Balaam was a prophet, a man with spiritual insights and abilities. His abilities and use of those abilities gave him a reputation both in his time and ours. His name was mentioned three times in the New Testament as his actions were used as a reference point to warn those who would find themselves with similar giftings today. Balak, king of Moab, along with his whole nation, was terrified of Israel after hearing of their great conquests in leaving Egypt and entering Canaan. They therefore decided to employ a different strategy from the other nations. They reasoned that a curse would weaken Israel and make them vulnerable so they offered the job to the renowned Balaam. Balaam wasn’t some fake con artist trying to make out that he was something he wasn’t. “I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:6) The King said.
Before Balaam accepted the offer he spoke with God, yes, the true and living God, Israel’s God. God told Balaam not to go because Israel was a blessed people so “Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, ‘Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.’” Balaam, though not an Israelite, seems to have gotten his authenticity from God. It seems that he would bless and curse as God told him and enabled him. Herein lies the mysteries of Balaam. Balaam, though not one of God’s people, was a prophet of God. “Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.’” To this point Balaam seems an honourable man of God. So why is he vilified in the rest of scriptures?
A Twisted Man
Balaam who conversed with God, hearing and responding to Him, even obeying Him at times placed more value on money than on God or His people. He eventually accepted Balak’s offer and went with the princes of Moab to curse God’s people. It was this action that triggered the well known story of the talking ass. See Numbers 22:28-30 Balaam has now become the standard by which false prophets are judged. Though a legitimate prophet of God, he would rather obey the lust of his flesh rather than the word of God.
Paul speaking about the great end time apostasy and deception said something mysterious was going to happen. He was speaking about the iniquity of our time. A mystery is something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. Paul says, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work…” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (KJV) i.e this special type of iniquity is already in existence, even in Paul’s time, doing its work of preparing the scene for the arrival of the man of sin. The life and lessons of Balaam may possibly help to solve this mystery of iniquity. Balaam was a true prophet of God who mysteriously decided to betray God and His people and lead them into sin. He did it all for money. How could one who hears God and is used by Him give this up for money? Very difficult to understand. The false prophets of our time will be no different hence the reason the apostles used Balaam as the standard to judge them. They “…have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15 “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” Jude 1:11
Driven by Greed
At first he tried to curse God’s people but God would not allow him. Three times he tried but only blessings would come out. One would have thought that after so many attempts, compounded by the fact that a donkey spoke to him, Balaam would have realised that he’s fighting against God and given up. No, Balaam was motivated by money and was looking forward to his pay day so he found a way. He knew that God cannot fellowship with the filth of sin and must reject any individual or people who wallow in it. Balaam therefore, taught Balak how to entice God’s people to sin, forcing God to step back from them. Balaam “…taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” Revelation 2:14 Although ignored today, it is a known fact that without God’s blessing and help people are bound to fail.
Balaam had done his job and earned his pay and that was always the bottom line for him as it is of the false prophets of today. They’re all motivated by money.