It is essential to consecrate or dedicate our life and gifts to the service of the Lord. This implies giving up selfish desires or ambitions, since it is God who must occupy the first place in our hearts and in our agenda of priorities.
In the context of today’s passage we see that Balaam consults God, and at first he obeys by not going to curse Israel. But when Balak raises the offer for cursing God’s people, Balaam had second thoughts. In the face of temptation we must strengthen ourselves in God, because as Jesus Christ won, we can also do it through him…
In the context of today’s passage we see that Balaam consults God, and at first he obeys by not going to curse Israel. But when Balak raises the offer for cursing God’s people, Balaam had second thoughts. In the face of temptation we must strengthen ourselves in God, because as Jesus Christ won, we can also do it through him…
THE REWARD THAT COMES FROM GOD
“Balac sent again more princes, and more honorable than the others; They came to Balaam and said to him, Thus says Balak son of Zippor: Please do not stop coming to me; because without a doubt I will honor you very much, and I will do everything you tell me; Come now, curse this people for me” Numbers 22:15-17.
Although Balaam knows the divine advice, and has already heard the voice of the Lord, he does not give up his desires, and in the permissive (and not perfect) will of God, he set out on the road to the place where Balak was to curse Israel. Balaam makes a wrong decision because of the desire to receive the gifts, honor and reward that he will receive from the king of the Ammonites.
The Lord Jesus gives us an example, because he renounced his state of glory in heaven with all the privileges that this implies, taking the form of a servant and stripping himself of everything, he gave his life out of love for a fallen humanity.
The Bible teaches us that we must avoid mixing with sin, with what is illegal, with darkness, with what is hidden, all of this displeases God. Some authors call Balaam: “a strange character of the Bible”, his knowledge of God was mixed with the pagan and perverse concepts of his time.
Balaam wanted to serve Jehovah God, but with his own way of thinking, with his personal concept of obedience, according to what he thought was holiness. Balaam wanted to do things his way, without having to live a right life before the Lord, and he longed for the treasures and rewards of Moab, even though they did not come from God.
Balaam’s heart overflowed with greed, he desired the treasures and gifts that Balak, king of Moab, offered him. It is interesting to see here that Balak means: destroyer, plunderer; this tells us that Balak would not lose his gifts and treasures (it was all just an investment of evil, so he himself would leave Balamm with nothing).
This is how the enemy of our souls acts: he offers gifts and beautiful and attractive things to attract us to him and then he destroys and plunders, leaving a bleak picture. Everything is therefore a sophism of distraction to trap the believer.
It is necessary that we renounce evil obstinacy, pride and stubbornness. Balaam reflects many of our attitudes and motives when God does not want to give us something.
Let’s see for example: God did not want but he insisted; the Lord did not allow him to curse Israel, but he wanted to (for money); as he could not curse (i.e. do the business), he looked for another strategy (to receive the gifts and treasures of Moab), and advised Balak to tempt the Israelites with the women of Moab, which sadly succeeded for the enemy of Israel (Num. 31:16 and 25:1-3).
Let’s see for example: God did not want but he insisted; the Lord did not allow him to curse Israel, but he wanted to (for money); as he could not curse (i.e. do the business), he looked for another strategy (to receive the gifts and treasures of Moab), and advised Balak to tempt the Israelites with the women of Moab, which sadly succeeded for the enemy of Israel (Num. 31:16 and 25:1-3).
Balaam’s heart was carried away by greed and ill-gotten money. Let us always keep in mind that the true reward comes from the Lord God. The “reward or wealth” of the kingdom of darkness is temporary, transient, frustrating, brings pain and brings damnation with it.
The context of this biblical portion, and the parallel New Testament passages, teach us that Balaam was lost, he was damned, 2 Peter 2:15 (keep in mind that the context of this quote in Peter is false teachers and prophets).
The context of this biblical portion, and the parallel New Testament passages, teach us that Balaam was lost, he was damned, 2 Peter 2:15 (keep in mind that the context of this quote in Peter is false teachers and prophets).
The reward and the rewards that come from the Lord, are pure, clean, produce peace and joy, and these encourage us and impel us to continue in His ways, Hebrews 6:10, 13-15.
Final reflection: Do not be discouraged by adverse circumstances, refuse Balak’s offers, do not negotiate or sell the gift that God has placed in you, be faithful and God will reward you much more than you expect, persevere, the Lord is your strength, do not give up he is with you.
(Written by Pastor Gonzalo Sanabria)