Revelation: The Temptation of Balaam (Part 2)

 Revelation: Justification by Faith

The Temptation of Balaam

[By M.L]

In our previous study, we examined the character of Balaam. It’s recommended to read that first for more context.
Balaam was a greedy, ambitious, and fallen prophet of God. This character itself is troubling, but its effects were even more severe. We saw how Balak, the king of Moab, tried to get Balaam to curse God’s people, who posed a threat to him. Balaam went along, but by God’s intervention, he spoke a blessing instead of a curse.

Balaam realized he could not curse God’s people as long as they were faithful to God, and in direct conflict, Moab could never win. There was only one way to bring Israel down—they had to be led away from God. And Balaam, with his authority and knowledge, was uniquely positioned to devise such a scheme. Though he couldn’t receive the wealth and honor Balak promised by cursing Israel, he saw a way to gain them through a different approach. He devised a plan.

Balak was to send Moabite women into Israel to marry them, leading them to forsake God, engage in idolatry, and worship foreign gods. Balaam would also lend his authority to this plot as a well-known prophet of God. The plan succeeded:

Numbers 25:1-3 (ESV)
"While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab.
2. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.
3. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel."

They were drawn into compromise. We shouldn’t think they had completely forgotten God—they had witnessed great miracles, as recorded in Exodus and Numbers, and knew of God and His law. But perhaps they thought, "A little compromise won’t hurt," or "I can worship other gods alongside God," or even "Balaam, a prophet of God, says it’s okay."

How often do we see this mentality today? People believe a bit of sin is acceptable. They think they can serve both Satan and God, citing the authority of pastors or church leaders. They follow the examples of tradition and theology, rather than seeking God directly and clearly as He has shown in His Word. Instead of diligently searching for a "Thus says the Lord," they rely on human authority, saying, "Everyone does it this way, and it’s always been done like this. Surely these leaders aren’t wrong."
And so, people are drawn away from the simple faith in God’s Word, which is meant to save them, and put their trust in human authorities instead.

The consequences were severe. Many Israelites died from a plague, and once the people recognized their guilt, the Moabite women were killed, and Midian was defeated. Balaam himself also met his end:

Numbers 31:8, 15-16 (ESV)
"They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword.
15. Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live?
16. Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord."

Revelation tells us that Balaam played a direct role in leading the Israelites into sin:

Revelation 2:14 (ESV)
"But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality."

The Nicolaitans of that time shared similar teachings:

Revelation 2:15 (ESV)
"So also you have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent!"

The church in Ephesus was praised for hating the teachings of the Nicolaitans, but Pergamum, unfortunately, tolerated the teachings of Balaam. The teachings of compromise, idolatry, and unrighteousness are the teachings of Balaam. Don’t be deceived into thinking you can serve both sin and God. If we are truly redeemed by the blood of Jesus, our loyalty will show through our devotion to God.
The Word of God is also described as a sword, and this is sometimes its role. Hebrews says:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

We may disguise our compromises with church authority, tradition, or seemingly virtuous reasons. But God sees our hearts and knows exactly why we refuse to follow His commandments and why we ignore His truth.
There is still time to repent, to receive the painful but healing blow of this sword. But if we refuse, that sword will become a sword of judgment. On that day, we will stand before God face to face, and God’s clear Word will be pronounced, and we will give an account for our disobedience.
To Pergamum, He said:

Revelation 2:16 (ESV)
"Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth."

The message is clear. Let’s not cloud it with our sinful and selfish desires:

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV)
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15. What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
16. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
18. and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’"