This post is Day 14 in a series of studies about “Jude”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Jude – Day 14

In Numbers 22 we find that the Israelites have grown to be a huge tribe. They are on the banks of the Jordan not far from their Promised Land. This was Moabite territory and the Israelite fame had gone before them, so that Balak, king of the Moabites was terrified.

Jude 11

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

The Thought

Balaam was an Old Testament prophet who was tempted by finance, but he also gave ungodly advice (Numbers 31:16).

The first mention of Balaam is in Numbers 22 where we find that the Israelites have grown to be a huge tribe. They are on the banks of the Jordan not far from their Promised Land. This was Moabite territory and the Israelites’ fame had gone before them, so that Balak, king of the Moabites was terrified, so he called for help sending messengers to persuade the prophet Balaam to come and curse the Israelites.

Balaam refused to accompany these envoys, because God had said “don’t go!” (Numbers 22:12-13). But Balak was terrified of losing the battle and refused to accept the prophet’s reply, so he sent a second delegation!

The next few verses make interesting reading. God didn’t change His mind, even though it looked as though He had. The problem was Balaam who was tempted by the huge sum of money that the king of Moab promised him. Balaam’s words were the right ones, but his heart was not in what he said. The result was that He didn’t see an angel on the road, but his donkey did! Three times! He never did receive the money he was promised, because he wouldn’t curse the Israelites as Balak wanted him to! (Numbers 24:10-11).

Peter also mentions Balaam as one who followed the way of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15). Not a good reputation to have!

Action

Read Numbers chapters 22 & 23 today and try to understand why Balaam went with the envoy from Moab even though he knew God wouldn’t do what they wanted.

Pray for truth in the church today, that we would teach and be taught what God says and not what man wants to hear.